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I wrote this over a year ago for a middle school girls health class (the unit was on spiritual health) and also shared it at a staff devotional. What I'm about to share is something every single one of us will deal with to some degree at some point in our lives. It's something that, if overcome, can positively and profoundly impact a marriage. I pray that any one who reads this will have their hope renewed.
When I look at my life, I have to be honest and confess that my biggest failure has been believing lies about myself, God and others. Nothing has held me back more than that. When I've gotten into discouraging friendships, stayed in relationships with men that weren't the best, struggled with self-acceptance, etc. . .all of those issues started with the root cause of believing a lie and dwelling on it long enough until it felt true. The greatest FREEDOM has come when I renew my mind with God's truth about who I am in Christ.
". . .Satan has used deception and lies to win our affections, influence our choices, and destroy our lives. In one way or another, every problem we have in this world in the fruit of deception - the result of believing something that isn't true."
"EVERY area of bondage in our lives can be traced back to a lie."
Steps to Freedom:
1.) Identify the areas of bondage or sinful behavior. "A man is a slave to whatever has mastered him." 2 Peter 2:19
2.) Prayerfully identify the lies at the root of that bondage or behavior.
3.) Replace the lies with the Truth. Jesus said, it is the truth that "will set you free." John 8:22
The TRUTH you need to know and believe with all your heart is the truth of your identity in Christ.
(All info taken from Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Who I Am in Christ is from Neil T. Anderson's The Steps to Freedom in Christ).
I like to meditate on these truths and I have them on 3x5 cards for my purse. I hope they encourage you, too!
Who I Am in Christ:
I Am Accepted:
John 1:12 I am God's child
Jon 15:15 I am Christ's friend
Rom. 5:1 I have been justified
1 Cor. 6:17 I am united with the Lord and I am one spirit with Him
1 Cor. 6:19,20 I have been bought with a price. I belong to God
1 Cor 12:27 I am a member of Christ's body
Eph. 1:1 I am a saint
Eph 1:5 I have been adopted as God's child
Eph. 2:18 I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit
Col. 1:14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins
Col. 2:10 I am complete in Christ
I Am Secure:
Rom. 8:1,2 I am free forever from condemnation
Rom. 8:28 I am assured that all things work together for good
Rom. 8:31-34 I am free from any condemning charges against me
Rom. 8:35-39 I cannot be separated from the love of God
2 Cor 1:21,22 I have been established, anointed and sealed by God
Col. 3:3 I am hidden with Christ in God
Phil. 1:6 I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected
Phil. 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven
2 Tim. 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind
Heb. 4:16 I can find grace and mercy to help in time of need
1 John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me
I Am Significant:
Matt. 5:13, 14 I am the salt and light of the earth
John 15:1,5 I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life
John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit
Acts 1:8 I am a personal witness of Christ
1 Cor 3:16 I am God's temple
2 Cor. 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God
2 Cor 6:1 I am God's coworker
Eph. 2:6 I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm
Eph. 2:10 I am God's workmanship
Eph. 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
I pray that your heart would be sensitive to the thoughts that cross your mind that are contrary to Scriptural truth. It may seem like a fleeting thought, but it can quickly escalate into sinful actions. Choose truth!
