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Bondage vs Freedom
Author - Chris Campbell
The next step to freedom deals with the sins that have become habits in your life. If you have been caught in the viscious cycle of "sin-confess-sin-confess," realize that the road to victory is "sin-confess-resist" (James 4:7). We need to remember we are not our own anymore - we have been bought with a huge price- and we dont ever want to grieve the Holy Spirit. Habitual sin often requires help from a trusted brother or sister in Christ. James 5:16 says, "Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." Seek out a strong Christian who will lift you up in prayer and hold you accountable in your areas of weakness.
Sometimes the assurance of 1 John 1:9 is sufficient: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Remember, confession is not saying "I'm sorry"; it's openly admitting, "I did it." Whether you need the help of others or just the accountability of God, pray the following prayer out loud:
"Dear Heavenly Father, You have told us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lust (Romans 13:14). I agree that I have given in to sinful desires which wage war against my soul (1 Peter 2:11). I thank You that in Christ my sins are forgiven, but I have broken Your holy law and given the devil an opportunity to wage war in my body (Romans 6:12-13, James 4:1; 1 Peter 5:8). I come before Your presence now to admit these sins and to seek Your cleansing (1 John 1:9) that I may be free from the bondage of sin. I now ask You to reveal to my mind the ways that I have broken Your moral law and grieved the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen."
There are many habitual sins that can control us. The following list contains some of the more common sins of the flesh. Look through the following liust and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to your mind which ones from the past or the present you need to confess. He may bring to mind others that are not here. For each one God reveals, pray the following prayer of confession from the heart. (Note: Sexual sins, eating disorders, substance abuse, abortion, suicidal tendencies and perfectionism will be dealt with later.)
"Lord I admit that I have committed the sin of _______________. I thank You for Your forgiveness and cleansing. I turn away from this sin and turn to You, Lord. Strengthen me by Your Holy Spirit to obey You. In Jesus' name, Amen."
It is or responsibility to take control over sin in our bodies. We must not use our bodies or someone else's as an instrument of unrighteousness (Romans 6:12-13). If you are or have been struggling with sexual sins (such as pornography, masturbation, heavy petting, heavy kissing, oral sex, same sex relationships, voyeurism, phone sex, computer/internet sex or sexual intercourse), pray as follows:
"Lord, I ask You to reveal to my mind every sexual use of my body as an instrument of unrighteousness. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen."
As the Lord brings to your mind every sexual use of your body, whether it was done to you (I.E.: rape, incest, or any sexual abuse) or willingly by you, renounce every occasion:
"Lord I renounce (name the specific use of your body) with (name the person involved) and I ask You to break that sinful bond with (name). I ask this in your name Jesus, amen"
After you have completed this, commit your body to the Lord by praying out loud from your heart:
"Lord, I renounce all these uses of my body as an instrument of unrighteousness, and ask you to break all bondage that Satan has brought into my life through my involvement. I admit my participation. Lord, I chose to present my eyes, my mouth, my mind, my hands and feet, my whole body to You as instruments of righteousness. I now present my body to You as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto You, and I chose to reserve the sexual use of my body for marriage only(Hebrews 13:4). I reject the lie of Satan that my body is not clean or that it is dirty or in any way unacceptable to You as a result of my past sexual experiences. Lord, I thank You that You have totally cleansed and forgiven me, and that You love me just as I am. Therefore, I can accept myself and my body as cleansed in Your eyes. In Jesus' precious name, Amen."
If you have struggled with or are currently struggling with homosexuality, suicidal tendencies, eating disorders or cutting on yourself, substance abust, perfectionism, or have had an abortion or not assumed your responsibilities for an unborn child: let me encourage you to know that there is forgiveness, cleansing, healing and freedom for you! These types of sins, however, may need to be dealt within the context of counseling and close accountability with a trusted adult. Could I encourage you to complete this step by going to your youth leader and confiding in them your struggle. I know that's a very tough thing to ask you to do. However, I believe it is exactly what Christ would want you to do (Galatians 6:1-2; James 5:13-16). Perhaps you're new to your youth group and haven't had the chance to get to know your youth leader/pastor. If that is the case find a trusted adult. We want you to be well. We want you to find healing and freedom. Jesus Christ came to set the captives free! You can find your freedom and maintain your freedom for the long haul. God Bless you friend. May you find the courage to do what needs to be done.
Sometimes the assurance of 1 John 1:9 is sufficient: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Remember, confession is not saying "I'm sorry"; it's openly admitting, "I did it." Whether you need the help of others or just the accountability of God, pray the following prayer out loud:
"Dear Heavenly Father, You have told us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lust (Romans 13:14). I agree that I have given in to sinful desires which wage war against my soul (1 Peter 2:11). I thank You that in Christ my sins are forgiven, but I have broken Your holy law and given the devil an opportunity to wage war in my body (Romans 6:12-13, James 4:1; 1 Peter 5:8). I come before Your presence now to admit these sins and to seek Your cleansing (1 John 1:9) that I may be free from the bondage of sin. I now ask You to reveal to my mind the ways that I have broken Your moral law and grieved the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen."
There are many habitual sins that can control us. The following list contains some of the more common sins of the flesh. Look through the following liust and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to your mind which ones from the past or the present you need to confess. He may bring to mind others that are not here. For each one God reveals, pray the following prayer of confession from the heart. (Note: Sexual sins, eating disorders, substance abuse, abortion, suicidal tendencies and perfectionism will be dealt with later.)
- Stealing/Shop Lifting
- Lying
- Fighting
- Quarreling/Arguing
- Hatred
- Jealousy/Envy
- Anger
- Complaining/Criticism
- Depressions/Hopelessness
- Impure Thoughts
- Eagerness For Lustful Pleasure
- Cheating
- Gossip/Slander
- Procrastination/Putting Things Off
- Swearing
- Greed/Materialism
- Apathy/Laziness
- Other ____________
"Lord I admit that I have committed the sin of _______________. I thank You for Your forgiveness and cleansing. I turn away from this sin and turn to You, Lord. Strengthen me by Your Holy Spirit to obey You. In Jesus' name, Amen."
It is or responsibility to take control over sin in our bodies. We must not use our bodies or someone else's as an instrument of unrighteousness (Romans 6:12-13). If you are or have been struggling with sexual sins (such as pornography, masturbation, heavy petting, heavy kissing, oral sex, same sex relationships, voyeurism, phone sex, computer/internet sex or sexual intercourse), pray as follows:
"Lord, I ask You to reveal to my mind every sexual use of my body as an instrument of unrighteousness. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen."
As the Lord brings to your mind every sexual use of your body, whether it was done to you (I.E.: rape, incest, or any sexual abuse) or willingly by you, renounce every occasion:
"Lord I renounce (name the specific use of your body) with (name the person involved) and I ask You to break that sinful bond with (name). I ask this in your name Jesus, amen"
After you have completed this, commit your body to the Lord by praying out loud from your heart:
"Lord, I renounce all these uses of my body as an instrument of unrighteousness, and ask you to break all bondage that Satan has brought into my life through my involvement. I admit my participation. Lord, I chose to present my eyes, my mouth, my mind, my hands and feet, my whole body to You as instruments of righteousness. I now present my body to You as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto You, and I chose to reserve the sexual use of my body for marriage only(Hebrews 13:4). I reject the lie of Satan that my body is not clean or that it is dirty or in any way unacceptable to You as a result of my past sexual experiences. Lord, I thank You that You have totally cleansed and forgiven me, and that You love me just as I am. Therefore, I can accept myself and my body as cleansed in Your eyes. In Jesus' precious name, Amen."
If you have struggled with or are currently struggling with homosexuality, suicidal tendencies, eating disorders or cutting on yourself, substance abust, perfectionism, or have had an abortion or not assumed your responsibilities for an unborn child: let me encourage you to know that there is forgiveness, cleansing, healing and freedom for you! These types of sins, however, may need to be dealt within the context of counseling and close accountability with a trusted adult. Could I encourage you to complete this step by going to your youth leader and confiding in them your struggle. I know that's a very tough thing to ask you to do. However, I believe it is exactly what Christ would want you to do (Galatians 6:1-2; James 5:13-16). Perhaps you're new to your youth group and haven't had the chance to get to know your youth leader/pastor. If that is the case find a trusted adult. We want you to be well. We want you to find healing and freedom. Jesus Christ came to set the captives free! You can find your freedom and maintain your freedom for the long haul. God Bless you friend. May you find the courage to do what needs to be done.
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| Home | Ticket To Heaven | Site Updates | Christian Links |
| Daily Devotional Thought | Challenge of the Month | Articles |
| The Store | My Testimony | Short Inspirational Stories |
To contact me for any reason please email me at:
[email protected]
| Home | Ticket To Heaven | Site Updates | Christian Links |
| Daily Devotional Thought | Challenge of the Month | Articles |
| The Store | My Testimony | Short Inspirational Stories |
To contact me for any reason please email me at:
[email protected]