Beenleigh & District Baptist Church

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Steps to Freedom in Christ
Preparation
Before going through the Steps to Freedom, review the events of your life to discern specific areas that might have become pathways for demonic attachment and may need to be addressed.
Family History

Religious history of parents and grandparentsHome life from childhood through high schoolHistory of physical or emotional illness in the familyAdoption, foster care or guardians

Personal History

Eating habits (bulimia, binge eating, purging, anorexia, compulsive eating)AddictionsPrescription medications (purpose)Sleeping patterns and nightmaresSexual, physical or emotional abuseThoughts (obsessive, blasphemous, condemning, distracting, poor concentrationMental interference during church, prayer or Bible studyEmotions (anger, anxiety, depression, bitterness, fear)Spiritual (salvation: when, how and level of assurance)

Step 1
Real v's Counterfeit

Using the following Non-Christian Spiritual Experience Inventory, carefully check anything in which you have been involved. This list is not exhaustive, but it will guide you in identifying non-Christian spiritual experiences. Add any additional involvement you have had. Even if you innocently participated in something or observed it, you should write it on your list to renounce, just in case you unknowingly gave Satan a foothold.
Selected Items:
List 1

Astral-projectionOuija boardTable or body liftingDungeons and DragonsSpeaking in tranceAutomatic writingMagic Eight BallTelepathyUsing spells or cursesSeanceMaterializationClairvoyanceSpirit guidesFortune-tellingTarot cardsPalm readingAstrologyRod/pendulum (dousing)Self-hypnosisMind swappingBlack and white magicNew Age medicineBlood pactsSelf MutilationFetishismObject worshipCrystals, charmsIncubi and succubusOther

List 2
Christian ScienceUnity ChurchThe Way InternationalUnification ChurchMormonismChurch of the Living WordJehovah’s WitnessesChildren Of GodChurch of New JerusalemMasonsNew AgeThe Forum (EST)Spirit worshipOther

List 3
BuddhismHare KrishnaBahaismRosicrucianismScience of the MindTranscendental MeditationHinduismYogaEchkankarRoy MastersSilva Mind Controlfather DivineTheosophical SocietyIslamBlack MuslimReligion of martial artsOther

Have you ever been hypnotized, attended a New Age or parapsychology seminar, consulted a medium, spiritist or channeler? YesNo
Explain:

Do you or have you ever had an imaginary friend or spirit guide offering you guidance or companionship? YesNo

Have you ever heard voices in your mind or had repeating and nagging thoughts condemning you, or that were foreign to what you believe or feel, as if there were a dialogue going on in your head? YesNo
Explain:

What other spiritual experiences have you had that would be considered out of the ordinary? Explain:

Have you ever made a vow, covenant or pact with any individual or group other than God? YesNo

Have you been involved in satanic ritual worship in any form? YesNo
Explain:

When you are confident that your list is complete, confess and renounce each involvement whether active or passive by praying aloud the following prayer, repeating it separately for each item on your list:

Lord, I confess that I have participated in ____________, and I renounce _______________ . Thank you that in Christ I am forgiven.

If there has been any involvement in satanic ritual or heavy occult activity, you need to state aloud the following special renunciations which apply. Read across the page, renouncing the first item in the column of the Kingdom of Darkness and then affirming the first truth in the column of the Kingdom of Light. Continue down the page in this manner.

Step 2
Deception v's Truth
Consider some of Satan’s deceptive schemes. In addition to false teachers, false prophets and deceiving spirits, you can deceive yourself. Now that you are alive in Christ and forgiven, you never have to live a lie or defend yourself. Christ is your defence. How have you deceived or attempted to defend yourself according to the following: Please check any of the following that apply to you:

Self-Deception
Hearing God’s Word but not doing it (James 1:22; 4:17)Saying you have no sin (1 John 1:8)Thinking you are something when you aren’t (Galatians 6:3)Thinking you are wise in your own eyes (1 Corinthians 3:18,19)Thinking you will not reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7)Thinking the unrighteous will inherit the kingdom (1Corinthians 6:9)Thinking you can associate with bad company and not be corrupted (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Self-Defence
(Defining ourselves instead of trusting in Christ)
Denial (conscious or subconscious refusal to face the truth)Fantasy (escaping from the real world)Emotions insulation (withdrawing to avoid rejection)Regression (reverting back to a less threatening time)Displacement (taking out frustrations on others)Projection (blaming others)Rationalisation (making excuses for poor behaviour)

For each of those areas that you have checked, pray aloud the following prayer:
Lord, I agree that I have been deceiving myself in the area of ________________. Thank you for forgiving me. I commit myself to know and follow Your truth, amen.

Step 3
Bitterness v's Forgiveness
We need to forgive others in order to be free from our pasts and to prevent Satan from taking advantage o us (2 Corinthians 2:10, 11). We are to be merciful just as our heavenly Father is merciful (Luke 6:36). We are to forgive as we have been forgiven (Ephesians 4:31,32). Ask God to bring to mind the names of those people you need to forgive:

As names come to mind, list them here. At the end of your list, write "myself".

As you pray, God may bring to mind offending people and experiences you have totally forgotten. Let Him do it, even if it’s painful. Remember, you are doing this for your sake. God wants you to be free. Don’t rationalise or explain the offender’s behaviour. Forgiveness is dealing with your pain and leaving the other person to God. Positive feelings will follow in time; freeing you from the past is the critical issue right now. Don’t say, “Lord, please help me to forgive” because He is already helping you. Don’t say, “Lord, I want to forgive,” because you are bypassing the real choice to forgive, which is your responsibility. Focus on each individual until you are sure you have dealt with all the remembered pain - what they did, how they hurt you, how they made you feel: rejected, unloved, unworthy, dirty, etc.
You are now ready to forgive the people on your list so you can be free in Christ, with those people no longer having any control over you. For each person on your list, pray aloud:

Lord, I forgive ______________ (person’s name) for ___________________ (verbally state every hurt and pain the Lord brings to your mind and how it made you feel).

After you have forgiven every person for every painful memory, then finish this step by praying:

Lord, I release all these people to You, and I release my right to seek revenge. I choose not to hold on to my bitterness and anger, and I ask You to heal my damaged emotions. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Step 4
Rebellion v's Submission
We have two biblical responsibilities regarding authority figures: Pray for them and submit to them. The only time God permits us to disobey earthly leaders is when they required us to do something morally wrong before God or attempt to rule outside the realm of their authority.
We are all admonished to submit to one another as equals in Christ (Ephesians 5:21). However, there are specific lines of authority in Scripture for the purpose of accomplishing common goals:

Civil government (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-17)

Parents (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Husbands (1 Peter 3-1-4) or wives (Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:7)

Employers (1 Peter 3:18-23)

Church leaders (Hebrews 13:17) → God (Daniel 9:5,9)

Examine each area and confess those times you have not been submissive by praying:

Lord, I agree I have been rebellious toward __________________. I choose to be submissive and obedient to your Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Step 5
Pride v's Humility
Now allow God to show you any specific areas of your life where you have been prideful, such as:

Having a stronger desire to do my will than God’s willBeing more dependent upon my strengths and resources than God’sToo often believing that my ideas and opinions are better than othersBeing more concerned about controlling others than developing self-controlSometimes considering myself more important than othersHaving a tendency to think that I have no needsFinding it difficult to admit that I was wrongHaving a tendency to be more of a people-pleaser than a God-pleaserBeing overly concerned about getting the credit I deserveBeing driven to obtain the recognition that comes from degrees, titles and positionsOften thinking I am more humble than othersOther

For each of these that has been true in your life, pray aloud:

Lord, I agree I have been prideful by ___________________. I choose to humble myself and place all my confidence in You, amen.

Step 6
Bondage v's Freedom
The deeds of the flesh are numerous. Many of the following issues are from Galatians 5:19-21. Check those that apply to you and any others you have struggled with that the Lord has brought to your mind.

Note: Sexual sins, eating disorders, substance abuse, abortion, suicidal tendencies, perfectionism and fear will be dealt with later in this step.

StealingLyingFightingJealousyEnvyingOutbursts of angerComplainingCriticisingLustingCheatingGossipingControllingProcrastinatingSwearingGreedinessLazinessDivisivenessGambling

Regarding each of the above, that are checked, pray the following prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that my sins are forgiven in Christ, but I have walked by the flesh and have sinned by ____________________. Thank You for cleansing me of all unrighteousness. I ask that you would enable me to walk by the Spirit and not carry out the desires of the flesh. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

We are exhorted to not allow sin to “reign in our mortal bodies” by not using our bodies as instruments of unrighteousness (Romans 6:12, 13). If you’re struggling or have struggled with sexual sins (pornography, lust, sexual promiscuity, etc) or are experiencing sexual difficulty in your marriage, pray as follows:

Lord, I ask You to reveal to my mind every sexual use of my body as an instrument of unrighteousness. Thank you Father. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.

As the Lord brings to your mind sexual sins you’ve committed, have been committed against you, i.e. rape, incest or other sexual abuse, or willingly by you, renounce each occasion:

Lord, I renounce ___(name the specific misuse of your body) __
with __(name the person)____ and ask You to break the bond Satan has brought into my life through that involvement. I confess my participation. I now present my body to You as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You, and I reserve the sexual use of my body only for marriage. I renounce the lie of Satan that my body is not clean, that it is dirty or in any way unacceptable as result of my past sexual experiences. Lord, I thank You that You have totally cleansed and forgiven me, that You love and accept me unconditionally. Therefore, I can accept myself. And I choose to do so and to accept myself and my body as cleansed. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.

After you have confessed all known sin, pray:

Dear Lord, as I have now confessed these sins to You, I claim your forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. I cancel all ground that evil spirits have gained through my wilful involvement in sin. I ask this in the wonderful name of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, amen.

Step 7
Acquiescence v's Renunciation
Declaration:
I here and now reject and disown all the sins and iniquities of my ancestors, including: (name those that have come to mind). As one who has been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son, I cancel out all demonic working that has been passed on to me from my ancestors. As one who has been crucified and raised with Jesus Christ and who sits with Him in heavenly places, I renounce all satanic assignments that are directed towards me, my family and my service to God, and I cancel every every curse that Satan and his workers have put on me. I announce to Satan and all his forces that Christ became a curse for me (Galatians 3:13) when He died for my sins on the cross.
I reject any and every way in which Satan may claim ownership of me. I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ who purchased me with His own blood. I reject all other blood sacrifices whereby Satan may claim ownership of me. I declare myself to be eternally and completely signed over and committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. By the authority I have in Jesus Christ, I now command every spiritual enemy of the Lord Jesus Christ to leave my presence. I commit myself to my heavenly Father to do His will from this day forward.
Prayer:

Dear Lord, I come to You as Your child purchased by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are the Lord of the universe and the Lord of my life. I submit my body to You as an instrument of righteousness, a living sacrifice, that I may glorify You in my body. I now ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I commit myself to the renewing of my mind in order to prove that Your will is good, perfect and acceptable for me. All this I do in the name and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Once you have secured your freedom by going through these seven steps, you may find demonic influences attempting re-entry, days or even months late. One person shared that she heard a spirit say to her mind, “I’m back,” two days after she had been set free. “No, you’re not!” she proclaimed aloud. The attack ceased immediately. One victory does not constitute winning the war. Freedom must be maintained. After completing these steps, one jubilant lady asked, “Will I always be like this?” I told her that she would stay free as long as she remained in right relationship with God. “Even if you slip and fall,” I encouraged, “you know how to get right with God again.”
Aftercare:
Freedom must be maintained. You have won a very important battle in an ongoing war. Freedom is yours as long as you keep choosing truth and standing firm in the strength of the Lord. If new memories should surface or if you become aware of lies that you have believed or other non-Christian experiences you’ve had, renounce them and choose the truth. Some have found it helpful to go through the steps again. As you do, read the instructions carefully.

To maintain your freedom, we suggest the following:

Seek legitimate Christian fellowship where you can walk in the light and speak the truth in love.

Study your Bible daily. Memorize key verses.

Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Assume responsibility of your thought life, reject the lie, choose the truth and stand firm in your position in Christ.

Don’t drift away! It is very easy to get lazy in your thoughts and revert back to old habits or patterns of thinking.

Share your struggles openly with a trusted friend. You need at least one friend who will stand with you.

Don’t expect another person to fight your battle for you. Others can help, but they can’t think, pray, read the Bible or choose the truth for you.

Continue to seek your identity and self-worth in Christ.

Read: Living Free in Christ, and the devotional: Daily in Christ.

Renew your mind with the truth that your acceptance, security and significance is in Christ by saturating your mind with the following truths.

Read the entire list of who you are “In Christ” and the Doctrinal Affirmation (in Step 2) aloud morning and evening over the next several weeks (and look up the verses referenced).

Commit yourself to daily prayer. You can pray these suggested prayers often and with confidence:

Daily Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I honour You as my sovereign Lord. I acknowledge that You are always present with me. You are the only all-powerful and wise God. You are kind and loving in all Your ways. I love You and thank You that I am united with Christ and spiritually alive in Him. I choose not to love the world, and I crucify the flesh and all its passions. Thank You for the life that I now have in Christ, and I ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit, that I may live my life free from sin. I declare my dependence up you, and I take my stand that I may live my life free from sin. I declare my dependence upon You, and I take my stand against Satan and all his lying ways. I choose to believe the truth and I refuse to be discouraged. You are the God of all hope, and I am confident that You will meet my needs as I seek to live a responsible life through Christ who strengthens me.

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