Breaking Strongholds: Embracing Identity and Healing in Christ
Summary
In today's message, I delved into the concept of discipleship and the importance of understanding and dealing with spiritual strongholds in our lives. We began by reflecting on the series "Talmid," which means to learn and become a disciple of Jesus. We've been focusing on living the abundant life and last week, we experienced a powerful moment of prayer where many came forward to cleanse their hearts.
I shared a personal revelation about the importance of forgiving oneself. I realized that I had been harboring self-hatred for past mistakes, which had hardened my heart. But through prayer and surrender to Jesus, that burden was lifted, and I've been blessed ever since.
We discussed how the enemy, the devil, never gives us a free pass. His goal is to kill, steal, and destroy, and he will use any unrenounced sin or pain to torment us. It's crucial to surrender these to the Lord, as the Holy Spirit can reveal hidden strongholds that we need to renounce.
I likened our hearts to a computer's hard drive, emphasizing that what we believe and allow into our hearts determines how we operate. If we allow a "virus" of negative beliefs or lies to enter, it will corrupt our system. Our minds are like the internet, searching and downloading information into our hearts, which then influences our words and actions.
I warned about the dangers of the internet, especially for children, and the responsibility of parents to guide their children's exposure to it. The internet can be a blessing or a bullet, depending on how it's used.
We heard powerful testimonies of healing and deliverance. One woman shared how she released her abandonment issues and received a vision of her father, whom she had never met, apologizing to her. Another testimony highlighted the power of rejecting the influence of a physical ailment and standing firm in healing.
I explained that spiritual strongholds are fortresses of lies that imprison our true identity in Christ. We must reject the lies that the enemy has built up in our minds, such as calling ourselves stupid when Jesus calls us beloved. It's time to embrace our true identity as children of God.
Finally, I shared a story of a young girl who, after suffering from seizures due to a horse-riding accident, was healed through a word of knowledge. Even when a seizure returned, she chose to stand on her healing, rejecting the seizure's influence over her life.
Key Takeaways:
- Forgiving oneself is as crucial as forgiving others. Often, we overlook the resentment we hold against ourselves, which can create a stronghold in our hearts. By bringing this self-hatred to Jesus, we can experience immediate relief and a renewed sense of blessing. [32:01
- The internet is a tool that can either enrich or endanger our spiritual lives. As with any powerful resource, it requires wisdom and discernment. We must set boundaries and use it to grow in knowledge and faith, not to be led astray. [38:55
- Testimonies of healing and deliverance are powerful affirmations of God's presence and action in our lives. They encourage us to stand firm in faith, even when circumstances challenge our belief in God's promises. [43:14
- Spiritual strongholds are not just obstacles to overcome; they are lies that we have allowed to define us. By recognizing and dismantling these lies with the truth of God's Word, we reclaim our identity as His beloved children. [46:19
- Choosing to believe in God's healing and rejecting the enemy's attempts to sow doubt is a powerful act of faith. When we experience God's touch, we must hold onto that truth, even if symptoms reappear, knowing that our healing is real and sustained by our faith. [44:21
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalms 9:9 - "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."
2. Psalms 144:2 - "He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me."
3. 2 Corinthians 10:4 - "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalms 9:9 describe the Lord as, and how does this relate to the concept of a stronghold?
2. According to Psalms 144:2, what roles does God play in our lives, and how do these roles provide us with security?
3. In 2 Corinthians 10:4, what kind of power do the weapons of our warfare have, and what are they capable of demolishing?
4. What personal revelation did the pastor share about self-forgiveness, and how did it impact his life? ([31:19])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding God as our stronghold change the way we perceive and deal with spiritual strongholds in our lives? ([34:31])
2. What are the implications of viewing our hearts as a computer's hard drive and our minds as the internet in terms of spiritual health and purity? ([37:08])
3. How can the testimonies of healing and deliverance shared in the sermon encourage us to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with challenges? ([43:14])
4. What does it mean to reject the lies that the enemy has built up in our minds and embrace our true identity in Christ? ([46:19])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to forgive yourself for past mistakes. How did this affect your spiritual life, and what steps can you take to bring this self-hatred to Jesus for healing? ([31:19])
2. How do you currently use the internet, and what boundaries can you set to ensure it enriches rather than endangers your spiritual life? ([38:55])
3. Think of a testimony of healing or deliverance that you have heard or experienced. How can you use this testimony to strengthen your faith and encourage others in their spiritual journey? ([43:14])
4. Identify a lie that you have believed about yourself that contradicts your identity in Christ. What steps can you take to dismantle this lie and replace it with the truth of God's Word? ([46:19])
5. When faced with symptoms or challenges that contradict your belief in God's healing, how can you stand firm in your faith and reject the enemy's attempts to sow doubt? ([44:21])
6. How can you help guide your children or younger family members in their use of the internet to ensure it is a blessing rather than a bullet? ([38:55])
7. What practical steps can you take this week to run to God as your stronghold in times of trouble, rather than relying on your own strength or understanding? ([45:40])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Self-Forgiveness
Forgiving oneself is a transformative step in the journey of faith. It is often easier to extend forgiveness to others than to oneself, yet harboring self-resentment creates a spiritual stronghold that hinders personal growth and peace. Recognizing and releasing self-hatred is not a sign of weakness but a courageous act of faith. It requires acknowledging past mistakes, understanding that everyone falls short, and accepting that forgiveness is a divine gift also meant for oneself. This process is a crucial step towards living an abundant life, as it allows individuals to break free from the chains of guilt and embrace the blessings that come with a heart cleansed by grace.
Forgiveness is not just a one-time event but a continuous practice that aligns one's heart with the heart of Jesus. It involves a daily surrender of the burdens of the past, choosing to see oneself through the lens of God's love and mercy. By doing so, one can experience immediate relief and a renewed sense of blessing, opening the door to a deeper relationship with God and a more fulfilling life. [32:01]
Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV)
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."
Reflection: What is one area of self-condemnation you need to release, and how can you actively seek God's forgiveness for yourself today?
Day 2: Navigating the Digital Landscape
The internet is a double-edged sword, capable of enriching one's spiritual life or leading one astray. It is a vast repository of knowledge and a potential source of temptation. Wisdom and discernment are essential when navigating the digital world, especially for parents who are tasked with guiding their children's exposure to it. Setting boundaries and using the internet to grow in knowledge and faith is crucial. It is a tool that, when used responsibly, can enhance learning, foster connections, and spread the Gospel. However, without proper discernment, it can also become a conduit for harmful content and destructive habits.
The key is to approach the internet with intentionality, using it as a means to support one's faith journey rather than detract from it. This involves being selective about the content consumed, engaging in online communities that uplift and encourage, and being mindful of the time spent online. By doing so, the internet can be a blessing that contributes to one's spiritual growth and well-being. [38:55]
1 Corinthians 10:23 (ESV)
"All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.
Reflection: How can you modify your internet usage to better support your spiritual growth, and what boundaries might you need to set?
Day 3: Affirming God's Presence Through Testimonies
Testimonies of healing and deliverance are powerful tools that affirm God's active presence in the world. They serve as reminders of His love, power, and faithfulness. Hearing stories of God's intervention encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, especially during times of doubt or struggle. These personal accounts of God's grace not only inspire but also challenge individuals to trust in God's promises, regardless of their circumstances.
By sharing and listening to testimonies, the community of faith is strengthened, and individuals are reminded that they are not alone in their journey. These stories of transformation and breakthrough provide hope and can ignite a renewed passion for seeking God's presence in one's life. They are a testament to the fact that God is still at work today, healing, restoring, and setting people free. [43:14]
James 5:16 (ESV)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Reflection: Can you recall a testimony that has significantly impacted your faith, and how can you share your own story to encourage others?
Day 4: Reclaiming Identity in Christ
Spiritual strongholds are deceptive constructs that can distort one's identity and perception of self-worth. They are built on lies and misconceptions that the enemy uses to keep individuals from recognizing their true identity as children of God. Dismantling these strongholds requires the light of God's truth, which reveals the reality of who believers are in Christ—beloved, chosen, and redeemed.
By rejecting the lies and embracing the truth of God's Word, individuals can reclaim their identity and walk in the freedom and authority they have been given as heirs of God's kingdom. This process involves a conscious effort to align thoughts and beliefs with the truth of Scripture, which declares the inherent value and purpose of every child of God. [46:19]
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV)
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Reflection: What is one lie you've believed about yourself, and how can you replace it with the truth of who you are in Christ today?
Day 5: Holding Onto Faith in Healing
Choosing to believe in God's healing and standing firm against the enemy's attempts to sow doubt is an act of faith that demonstrates trust in God's promises. When individuals experience God's touch, it is essential to hold onto that truth, even if symptoms or challenges reappear. Faith in God's healing is not based on the absence of symptoms but on the assurance of His Word and character.
Believers are called to stand on the truth of their healing, declaring it over their lives and rejecting any influence that contradicts it. This stance is not a denial of reality but an affirmation of a higher truth—the reality of God's kingdom, where healing and wholeness are guaranteed. By maintaining faith in the face of adversity, individuals can witness the sustaining power of God's healing in their lives. [44:21]
Mark 5:34 (ESV)
And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."
Reflection: If you are facing a physical or emotional challenge, how can you actively trust in God's healing power and declare His truth over your situation today?
Quotes
1) "We're like computers and your heart is a hard drive and everything you put in your heart all the software all the information that is how your heart is going to operate right but if you get a virus in your hard drive you're going to have to clean that virus out because your heart is going to operate out of that virus so your heart is the hard drive of your body amen just like a computer your mind is the internet and it will go find things and when it finds those things and believes in those things it will put those things in your heart and that's what will come out of your mouth are you with me church." [37:42
2) "Parents when you put a cell phone or an iPad in your child's hand it is either a blessing or a bullet... if there's no guidelines to it then you might as well just be putting a loaded gun in their hand... your children aren't supposed to learn how to live their life off of the internet they're supposed to learn it from you as you teach them what God has taught you." [38:55
3) "The devil wants to destroy your life but he also wants to build your mindset so he wants to destroy your life but build up this mindset inside of you so that you when you're being defeated by the lies of the enemy he's also building up in you doubt and worry... he's building you up in the fear of failure... he's trying to destroy you so you won't come up here and receive what you need." [48:12
4) "I was hating myself and that I had to forgive myself... for every backslide or mistake or whatever it was just building and building and building until my heart just was becoming like a rock... I just closed my eyes and Jesus was there with his hands out and I just literally gave him over this hate this self-hate and it was immediately taken away and I've been blessed ever since." [32:01
5) "The enemy the devil he will never give you a free pass ever... his goal is to kill steal and destroy and so he doesn't give free passes... renouncing and surrendering that stuff to the Lord and sometimes you don't even know you have it and when you press into the Lord the holy spirit will reveal it to you and you're like oh my gosh I need to get rid of that." [33:04
6) "Spiritual strongholds are fortresses of lies that imprison our true identity in Christ... if you call yourself stupid you will never find in the Bible where Jesus called you stupid so why are you calling yourself stupid... he calls you child son daughter beloved... stupid ends today beloved starts today." [46:19
7) "I am not accepting the influence of that pain in my foot I reject it and I'm Healed because I know what I felt last night in the name of Jesus and I'm Healed I haven't had any pain since then... there are strongholds that build up in your mind that try to convince you you oh God healed me of this or he saved me of that but then the next day the enemy wants to come to you and put doubt right back in his place." [44:21
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?