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The truth shall make you you free
Understanding the truth is a key factor in a relationship with God. When a person understands the truth about his position in Christ, it brings freedom into his life
- (John 8:31,32) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
When we turn to God and get saved, it is not a given that we will immediately be freed from all the bonds and wrong thought patterns that we have. On the contrary, many still have guilt, uncertainty about their salvation, fear, depression and a bad self-image and image of God. These things can still trouble a person, even if he has allowed himself to be saved and turned to God. Sometimes it can take years to get rid of these things. What are the ways to get rid of harmful things, the Bible teaches us three important factors. They are repentance, i.e. a change of mind, resisting the enemy, and understanding the truth, which is the main topic of this writing.
Repentance - (Matt 4:17) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
- (Acts 3:19) Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Repentance is the first factor in liberation. It means an attitude in which a person surrenders his whole life to God, confesses the sins that come to his mind, and renounces wrong things and attitudes. For example, bitterness towards others, self-hatred and self-pity are sins that many cherish. Those and other sins must be confessed to God, and he will cleanse us through the blood of Jesus:
- (1 John 1:7-9) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleans us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Resisting the enemy - (1 Peter 5:8,9) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brothers that are in the world.
- (James 4:7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Another factor is to resist the forces of the enemy that have bound man. If the question is e.g. the spirit of bitterness, self-pity, self-hatred or suicide (or any area of life where a person has long sinned and opened the door to the enemy. Paul wrote, Eph 4:27: ”Neither give place to the devil.” Sin gives the devil the possibility of influencing a person's life), these forces must be resisted in the name of Jesus Christ, and they will disappear. Before that, however, a person must confess to God all the sins that have given the enemy the opportunity to intervene in his life. Darkness, or unconfessed sin, gives the devil the right to influence our lives, but if sins are confessed and truly repented of, this right disappears from the enemy's forces. Then they are easy to expel or they disappear by themselves. For example, many revivals have not focused on spirit powers at all, but people have been freed through godly sorrow about sin. When we meet God's conditions, deliverance is easy or it may happen automatically.
"Lord, Father, forgive my bitterness, my accusations towards others, my self-hatred, my suicidal thoughts, my self-pity, for taking part in spiritualism, spirit healing…! Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son Jesus."
"Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God my bitterness, my accusations towards others, my self-hatred, my suicidal thoughts, my self-pity, for taking part in spiritualism, spirit healing… Now you no longer have any legal right in this area because through the blood of Jesus I have been forgiven by God for these things. Therefore, in the name of Jesus Christ, I now command you get out of me and around me, and you must never come back!"
Understanding the truth. Repentance and resignation from the powers of the devil were the first conditions for us to move forward. When we give up sympathy for evil and admit our wrong attitudes, change can start from there. If we don't want to give up, for example, bitterness and accusing thoughts, that is an obstacle to God's transforming power. Truth is also an important factor in the change process. Without it, we cannot be saved and we cannot progress in our faith. Jesus emphasized the importance of truth a lot. He said he was the way, the truth, and the life, and that he spoke the truth. He promised to send us the Spirit of truth, who would guide us into all truth. He spoke that God's word is the truth, and he also mentioned that when we come to know the truth, it sets us free. Therefore, we cannot help but notice that the truth has an important meaning in the Christian life. If we do not know the truth, we cannot move forward:
- (John 14:6) Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.
- (John 8:32) And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
- (John 16:13) However, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
- (John 17:17) Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.
- (John 8:44,45) You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 and because I tell you the truth, you believe me not.
- (Rom 1:25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
- (Eph 6:14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
- (Phil 4:8) Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
One of the reasons why people do not experience freedom is because they have not understood or believed in the truth. Many ties and accusatory thoughts of the devil ("you are not saved, God does not love you...") simply disappear as we understand and believe the truth. Especially understanding God's love and that salvation is based on grace, not on ourselves, are things that help people to freedom. When they understand and believe the truth, they progress in their faith life. Neil T. Anderson has written about the subject:
Believe the truth of God's word, proclaim it and act on it, and you will defeat Satan's strategy. This instruction has had a revolutionary effect on my soul care work. When a demonic influence was revealed earlier in the pastoral care situation, the situation turned into a clash of forces. During this process, my patient became catatonic (a form of schizophrenia), ran out of the room and was suddenly confused, and I tried to control the demon. I approached the demon first, trying to get it to reveal itself, and then commanded it to leave. This dialogue often caused a lot of injuries to my patient. Although progress was made, the same process usually had to be repeated. But I have learned from the Bible that the truth is a liberating factor, which has proven true in every successful pastoral ministry. Jesus is the truth, and He sets the captive free. The believer gains strength by knowing and choosing the truth. We must pursue the truth because we already have all the power we need in Christ (see Eph. 1:18,19). Also, people in the chains of slavery are not freed by what I do as a pastor/soul carer, but by what they choose to believe, confess, what they decide to let go of, and what they choose to forgive. (1)
Next, we are going to look at different areas where understanding the truth, and believing it, are important. We will begin with the view of God.
VIEW OF GOD. Many people have an understanding of God that is not based on truth and which prevents them from progressing in faith. Usually, it originates from difficult interpersonal experiences. A difficult relationship, especially, with a father or with parents might have caused one to see God the same way. People do not see Him as Jesus has announced Him to be, as they reflect everything through their own experiences.
A pastor’s wife who came to me for pastoral care told me about her home of strict morals, controlled by a demanding mother. The father was a wimp who did not defend his daughter when the mother verbally abused her. "You really love Jesus,” I said to the lady. "Naturally,” she answered. "And you also love the Holy Spirit.” "Yes.” "But you don’t even like God as a Father.” She was unable to do anything else than cry. Her comprehension of a heavenly Father had become distorted because of her earthly father. She saw Jesus and the Holy Spirit being actively present in her life but in her mind, God the Father – just like her earthly father – was passive and did not care whether the daughter had great difficulties in her life. (2)
To understand how you can get rid of the false image of God, the following facts should be considered. Rely more on the truth than on your own experiences and feelings. If you have welcomed Jesus Christ into your life and turned to Him, you can have faith that all these good things are true and apply to you.
God is like Jesus. The Gospel of John holds the words of Jesus where He said that the one who has seen Him, has also seen the Father. In other words, Jesus is the perfect image of Father God. That is why when we think of God, we must see Him through Jesus. It is the most truthful image of what the Heavenly Father is like. Do not rely on your feelings, but instead, rely on the following words from the Bible:
- (John 14:7-10) If you had known me, you should have known my Father also: and from now on you know him, and have seen him. 8 Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffises us. 9 Jesus said to him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father? 10 Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak to you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works.
- (Matt 11:28-30) Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
- (John 15:9) As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue you in my love.
- (John 10:10,11) The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
- (Mark 10:13,16) And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them… 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.
God is love. Many say that they do not feel like God loves them. They do not feel anything special and decide that God is not interested in them and does not care about them. However, this is something that must be approached through faith, not through feeling. For example, John wrote (1 John 4:16): ”… And we have known and believed the love that God has to us..” He did not talk about feelings here but faith, which are two different things. Feelings might come later, but one must have faith first. Therefore, as the following verses mention the love of God, do believe them! Do not look at them through your past experiences, but believe in biblical revelation! It is a greater truth than your own feelings.
- (1 John 4:9,10,16) In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.
- (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- (Rom 5:8) But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- (John 16:27) For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
- (Rom 8:38,39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- (2 Cor 13:11) Finally, brothers, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
- (Eph 2:4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,
- (1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.
- (2 Cor 1:3,4) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God.
Heavenly Father. When many people have had a resentful, angry and critical, absent or indifferent father in their childhood, or have other negative experiences with close people, they also think the same about God. However, Heavenly Father is different. He is a loving Father, he is a faithful Father, he is a caring Father, and he welcomes with open arms everyone who turns to him. Let's look at a few related verses:
He is an embracing Father
- (Luke 15:20-24) And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
He is also the Father of Jesus
- (Matt 10:32,33) Whoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
- (Matt 18:10) Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
- (Matt 18:19) Again I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
- (Matt 26:29) But I say to you, I will not drink from now on of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
- (Matt 26:39) And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.
- (Matt 26:53) Think you that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
- (Luke 2:49) And he said to them, How is it that you sought me? knew you not that I must be about my Father's business?
- (Luke 23:46) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
- (Luke 24:49) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father on you: but tarry you in the city of Jerusalem, until you be endued with power from on high.
- (John 1:14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
- (John 6:27) Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give to you: for him has God the Father sealed.
- (John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
- (John 10:17,18) Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
- (John 10:28,29) And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
- (John 11:41,42) Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 And I knew that you hear me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that you have sent me.
- (John 14:1-3) Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
- (John 14:28,29,31) You have heard how I said to you, I go away, and come again to you. If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I said, I go to the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, you might believe. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
- (John 16:28,32) I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. 32 Behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
- (Rev 3:5,21) He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
He is the Father
- (Matt 5:16,45,48) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 45 That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 48 Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
- (Matt 6:1,9) Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 9 After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name.
- (Matt 23:9) And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
- (Luke 6:35,36) But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be you therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
- (Luke 12:32) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
- (Acts 1:4,7) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard of me. 7 And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.
- (Rom 1:7) To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- (Rom 8:15) For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
- (1 Cor 8:6) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
- (1 Cor 15:24) Then comes the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
- (2 Cor 1:3,4) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God.
- (Gal 1:3,4) Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father
- (Eph 1:16,17) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
- (Eph 2:17,18) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were near. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
- (Eph 3:14,15) For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
- (Eph 4:6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
- (Eph 5:20) Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
- (1 Thess 1:3) Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
- (2 Thess 2:16) Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
- (1 John 3:1) Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not.
- (Ps 68:5) A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
He is a caring Father
- (Matt 7:9-11) Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
- (Matt 6:8,26,30-32) Be not you therefore like to them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him. 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they? 30 Why, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.
- (Matt 10:29-31) Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear you not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.
- (Rom 10:12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich to all that call on him.
- (Phil 4:19,20) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
- (James 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no ficklenss, neither shadow of turning.
Understanding mercy and righteousness is another important factor along with a correct understanding of God. If a person does not understand that he is righteous, saved and forgiven through Christ, it will be difficult for him to progress in his faith. He may live in a constant cloud of defeat and judgment, feelings of unworthiness, guilt and self-blame because he does not understand what happened to him when he received Christ. He is trying to earn the approval that God has already given him. Likewise, such people may go straight to the practical instructions of the Bible before they are clear about this matter and the basics of their faith. However, fruitful Christian behavior is a result of a correct Christian belief system, not the other way around. Belief in the right things, i.e. a person's position in Christ, must come before behavior, otherwise we put the cart before the horse, which is the wrong order. Let's look at a few quotes that talk about the same topic. They show what happens when people understand in the right way that through Christ they are righteous and acceptable to God. The examples show how faith in the facts of the Bible brings about change. Belief must precede behavior:
Erik Ewalds: I have noticed in numerous cases that the only thing that helps a depressed person is the knowledge of God being a God of grace, and that the person can give up all his own efforts and give himself entirely to the hands of God. The depressed person will get an experience of God loving him – not for the sake of his actions and efforts, but despite and regardless of them. (3)
C.O. Rosenius: This is what the conscience’s freedom of the law means. We are so free from the law that not a single sin can be put on us. Because we do not believe in what we would want to believe, the conscience has not gotten rid of the law as completely as it has the right to. We must in all ways preserve this freedom. Freedom and trust are the basis of a new person in Christ, and the life and power of all sanctification. Besides, there is no better way to honor God as by believing in Him and trusting in His promises. (4)
Pam Woodson: Reading about righteousness in itself means very little if you do not start to believe in being righteous and imagine yourself as righteous. Only when you do this will the word righteousness climb to the top of your vocabulary. When you study this concept with an open heart, it will have a large effect in your life. I have seen this effect in the lives of many people. I can say without exaggerating that tens of students who have attended my husband’s righteousness course in the Victory Bible Institute have eagerly come to talk to me and Woody year after year saying, "This course has changed my life.” – "Understanding that I’m righteous has set me free." – "I have come to understand the biggest truth of the Bible.” (5)
Veikko Pekki: When one preaches evangelically, that is, preaches about Christ and His work by which the sinners are accepted, a two-sided phenomenon takes place. Firstly, many people experience freedom from their burdens, legalism, and strictness. I have seen this phenomenon take place tens of times: Showing Jesus as a perfect and sufficient offering on our behalf in front of God brings about miraculous results. One must not think that preaching about grace is easy. Because the law for us is "in the flesh and blood", our own nature and reasoning would require more on people. The results are, however, continuously encouraging. A Christ-centered sermon of grace always has the anointment of the Holy Spirit, bringing freedom to its listeners. Again and again have people called or written or come to tell about how their lives have changed. These people have been in need of freedom. The thing that shocks me most is that they have not heard clear and correct teaching about the grace of God in their own congregations. (6)
THE MOST COMMON LIES. Even if a person has received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, he may still live under Satan's accusations and lies, because he has not understood what happened to him after turning to Jesus and God. That's why we highlight the most important lies and misconceptions that such people may have. When they understand the truth, they are freed from all lies.
I don't feel saved. Many say they do not feel saved. Salvation, however, is not a matter of feeling but of faith. We must believe and trust the word of the Bible and not our own feelings. So read the following verses carefully. They show that if a person has received Jesus Christ, he has become a child of God. He can be happy or sad, but if he has welcomed Jesus into his life, he is a child of God and has eternal life. Don't look to your feelings, but to the word of the Bible!
- (John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name
- (1 John 5:11-13) And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life. 13 These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
If I try my best, then maybe God will forgive me. Many put their faith in their actions. However, the Bible tells us that salvation is a gift and an act of mercy, and that after having received salvation, we live under constant grace. We do not need to pay for the gift that we have already been given. Otherwise it would not be a gift or an act of grace.
- (Eph 2:8-9) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
- (Rom 3:24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
- (Rev 21:6) And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.
- (Rev 22:17) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
- (Eph 2:4-5) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, by grace you are saved;
- (Acts 15:11) But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
- (Rom 5:1,2) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
- (Rom 6:14,15) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
- (Phil 1:7) Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my grace.
- (1 Peter 2:10) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
- (1 Peter 5:12) By Silvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein you stand.
I am too sinful. Some consider themselves so sinful that God cannot forgive them. In this matter, however, they should look to Christ, upon whom God cast all the sins of history. There is not a single sin that he did not bear. There are also your sins, even if you find it hard to believe:
- (Isaiah 53:6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
God is displeased with me because I don't pray enough, read his word and tell about Jesus to others. This is one of the most typical thoughts in the minds of believers. Many live in constant guilt because they feel they do these things too little. The truth is, however, that these things do not have to be done, they are allowed to be done. God loves every Christian equally when he does or does not do these things. His love does not change according to what we do. In this matter, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the requirements of the law have already been fulfilled in Christ. God no longer requires anything from us, because the requirements of the law ended at the cross. He, God is pleased with us through the work of Christ. Therefore, we should adopt the same attitude and not blame and judge ourselves for it if we have not succeeded in the previous things.
- (Col 2 13-14) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross
- (Gal 3:13) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree
- (Rom 6:14-15) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
- (Rom 7:6) But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
- (Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
I'm not righteous enough. Some say they are not righteous enough, and that is also true in light of the Bible, as the following verses show. No one is righteous in himself before God, and in our own goodness we cannot inherit His kingdom:
- (Isaih 64:6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
- (Rom 3:10,12) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one.
The solution to the former is found in the fact that Jesus Christ is our righteousness. When we rely on Him, we receive His righteousness and in the eyes of God we will be as acceptable and as pure as He is. We should not look to ourselves but to Jesus Christ. He perfectly executed the will of God and gave us righteousness.
- (1 Cor 1:30) But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption
- (Rom 4:25) Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.
- (Rom 5:19) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
- (Acts 13:38-39) Be it known to you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
- (Rom 3:21-24) But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ to all and on all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
- (Rom 10:4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.
Moreover, the Bible shows that God justifies the ungodly, who are people that have no merits of their own. Every person is like this on their own, but when we put our faith in Jesus, we will become righteous:
- (Rom 4:5) But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
- (Rom 3:24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
I am not good enough and I have not changed. Many keep looking to themselves and think whether they have changed. However, when it comes to salvation, one should never look to themselves but to Jesus Christ, who has already carried our sins. Trying to have assurance through oneself is futile. It would be the same as throwing an anchor on the deck and not onto the sea. It does not make any sense. That is why we must “throw our anchors” outside to Jesus Christ, i.e., look to Him when it comes to salvation. Only that will bring peace and assurance to our hearts:
- (Gal 3:1) O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
- (Hebr 12:2) Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- (John 1:29) The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.
The following example shows how we should look to Christ and not to ourselves. He has already fulfilled all the requirements of the law for us and lived a perfect life, so we can receive everything as a gift.
Let me give you a fantastic depiction of this! Pastor Ray McCauley works in Johannesburg, South Africa, and he has an ever-growing congregation with over 30 000 members. During an occasion he was sat across a possessed person who wanted to get help and become free of the things that a shaman had done to him. When Ray told the demon to leave it screamed "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting". A demon might cite the Bible, as it did to Jesus when He was in the desert. Many people would have stepped aside after hearing such a statement, and maybe gone to fast, in order to try a new intercession and banishing the demon. But here we need the light of the gospel and understanding of what Jesus did for us! In a blink of an eye a light came to Ray’s heart. He said: “Yes, I have fasted. Because Jesus who lives in me has fasted for 40 days, so you will come out in the name of Jesus!” The demon was banished in that instant. Here is our lesson: All that Jesus did He did for us. All that Jesus did, He brought the end result with Him when He came to us. All that He has, is ours. We have fasted because He fasted. We have kept the law because He kept the law This is the gospel; “if one died for all, then were all dead” (2 Cor 5:14) If we reach the truth of identification, we have solved the secret of the gospel. Jesus became one with us, and we became one with him. His death is our death, His life is our life. (7)
I have not been forgiven for my sins. Some say they have not been forgiven for their sins. Because of that they might confess the same sins again and again to God. These people should understand, however, that we do not deserve salvation by confessing our sins, since we deserve it through Jesus Christ. He alone is the only way to salvation, not confessing of the sins. Having faith in Him is enough:
- (Acts 16:30,31) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.
Similarly, it is pointless to confess the same sins all over again. Instead, have faith in the Bible’s promise that they have already been forgiven:
- (1 John 2:12) I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
- (Col 2:13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
When I keep falling, can I be a child of God? Some fall often and think that it hinders God's approval. However, God's acceptance and love has not changed at all; it remains the same all the time because God shows his love through Christ. It is good for a person to understand that he is just as accepted when he has fallen as when he does not fall. Fallings do not change his status as a child of God. He is still just as righteous and acceptable through Jesus.
- (Prov 24:16) For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again…
Who is the accuser? It is common for people under legalism to experience accusations in their minds like: "You are not forgiven, how could you do that, you are no child of God, why can't you ever do better..." Many still think that these accusations come from God and that he has not given forgive them. They may constantly suffer from these accusations in their minds. However, we do well to study what the Bible says about this matter. According to it, there is another party in this area, Satan, who is the accuser and the liar. He is the one, who accuses and torments people, not God. God's Holy Spirit can indeed shed light on sin so that people will repent, but he never accuses man. It is good for us to understand this, so that we do not allow Satan or our own accusations to discourage us:
- (Rev 12:10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brothers is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
- (Zec 3:1) And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
- (Rom 8:33-34) Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies. 34 Who is he that comdemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
- (1 John 2:1) My little children, these things write I to you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous
It is good to know who the accuser is. As this becomes clear to us, we can come to a whole new understanding in our relationship with God. Sven Reichmann has noticed in his soul care work how important it is to understand this correctly and how it can help people:
Whenever we have committed a sin, our heart accuses us. How could you do like that? You knew that it was a sin. How can you behave like this? How can you gossip like that? How can you slander? Most Christians suppose that these accusations come from God. They call those accusations conscience. However, usually it is a question of Satan and not conscience or the Holy Spirit. How can we know that? I have indeed clearly committed a sin, there is no doubt about that. That is why I feel accusations in my heart. Why could it not be the voice of God? The answer is very easy: a tree is recognized by its fruit. If the accusations are leading to you losing your courage, and feeling like you are under judgment and little by little, you lose your faith in salvation, then accusations cannot come from God. The Lord can, of course, light up the sins in our hearts – He can do it also with very serious words – but it always leads to freedom. Freedom is always the fruit from the activity of God. However, the fruit from the work of Satan is judgment. Faith is lost. Often people under this kind of pressure of accusations confess their sins to God and receive freedom from their sins, and this is just what takes place when a sin has been confessed. However, this does not prevent Satan from continuing his accusations. Why would he stop, when he sees that your courage is reducing all the time when you think that you have not been forgiven? It is therefore clear that Satan will continue. And many Christians say, "This is my conscience, God speaks to me about my sins. He has not forgiven me.” God has forgiven a long time ago. Over the years, I have helped many Christians to freedom only by understanding this minor fact. When they see the light and the personality of the accuser is exposed, silence is born in their hearts. (8)
"I have committed the unpardonable sin." There are many in psychiatric hospitals who have thought that they have made a mockery of the Holy Spirit, that is, the unforgivable sin. They have believed Satan's lies and accusations (see previous paragraph) and have not trusted the promises of the Bible. However, it is impossible that this sin can be committed by a person who wants to follow Jesus Christ and puts his trust in him. The following things should be noted in this area:
• When a person turns to Jesus and comes to a sense of sin, he has done the exact opposite of the unforgivable sin. Jesus showed that it is the work of the Holy Spirit that man sees his sins. Therefore, contrition and turning to Jesus Christ is the best proof that a person is in faith, saved and that the Holy Spirit has convinced him of his condition:
- (John 16:7,8) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
• The unforgivable sin can be committed by a person who completely turns his back on the cause of salvation and on Christ. He repeatedly rejects the invitation of the Holy Spirit to turn to Christ and hardens his conscience. He does not care about the matter of salvation and is not worried about it. A believer can indeed grieve the Holy Spirit by his actions (Eph 4:30) and he can quench the Spirit (1 Thess 5:19), but neither of them is an unforgivable act. In addition, a person of faith may be mistaken in his evaluations of the Holy Spirit's activity. He may question some spiritual gift or supernatural activity, but that is not blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Instead, it may be a necessary consideration because we are told to examine and test everything:
- (1 Thess 5:19-21) Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
- (1 John 4:1-3) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
• When a person confesses Jesus as Lord with his mouth and believes in his heart that Jesus has risen from the dead, he is saved. This is what Paul wrote:
- (Rom 10:9,10) That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. 10 For with the heart man believes to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.
Additionally, Paul showed that when one accepts Jesus as their Lord, it is an act of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, a person who does this, cannot taunt the Holy Spirit:
- (1 Cor 12:3) Why I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
We are going to look at a quotation about how the truth can set a man free. A well-known preacher from the 19th century, Charles G. Finney, tells how a woman had been driven to mental illness and despair in her relationship with God. She believed the lies of Satan that she did not have forgiveness. However, when Finney brought up the truth in his preach, the woman became liberated.
... For a moment I heard her trying to get away, but before I finished, she calmed down and the whole audience was silent. The Lord gave me a spirit of prayer and a text, for I had not chosen it beforehand. My text was from Hebrews: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” My purpose was to encourage our faith, both ours and hers, and our faith for her. When I started to pray, she first tried to get away. But the ladies made a friendly resistance, and at last she sat quietly, but with her head well bowed, and seemed determined not to heed my words. But as I continued, her head gradually lifted and she peered at me through the brim of her black hat. More and more her gaze was directed at me until she sat up straight and looked me in the eye earnestly. I urged the people to remain courageous in their faith, throw themselves on God and give themselves with complete trust to Him based on the atoning sacrifice of our great High Priest. Then she suddenly startled the congregation by letting out a loud cry. She almost threw herself off the bench, put her head very low, and I could see that she was shaking. The women who were with her in the pew half supported her and seemed to follow her with a pleading heart and compassion. As I continued my speech, she began to look up again. Soon, she was sitting straight again, her face miraculously changed with a triumphant Joy and peace on her face. I have rarely seen such a glow on a human face. Her joy was so great that she could hardly contain herself until the meeting was over. Then she announced her liberation to everyone. She praised God and rejoiced in a most wonderful way. About two years later I met her, and her heart was still filled with the same joy and peace. (9)
False teachings. The false ideas that people have about salvation have been discussed above. These people do not understand the position we have received through Christ. That is why they are trying to achieve the acceptance that has already been given to us. They do not know how to look only to Christ and his work on the cross, and therefore they have great doubts. False teaching, in which grace and the sufficiency of Jesus' work are not properly presented, also occurs in the church and in homes in modern times. They emphasize a lot of works and duties, but not the position we can get through Christ. Because of that, people become spiritually bound and they do not progress in their faith. It is not understood that it is the lack of grace that leads to a shackled and sin-filled life, but understanding it leads to growth and renewal, as practice has repeatedly shown. The order must always be right for change to happen. If it is changed, we will go from the ditch to the puddle. Next, we'll look at a few examples that law-abiding parents can be guilty of. They do not understand that it is a question of educational mistakes and giving a wrong image of God. We get rid of these misconceptions when we understand that God's approval has already been given through Jesus Christ:
• There is a kind of tinge of judgment in the home that colors all of life. It includes feelings of guilt and fear of God's punishment. He is not seen as a merciful Father through Christ, but as a supervisor who sees and knows everything. • Commands and prohibitions are emphasized in the home. Scolding, whining and criticism are typical. There is also a great emphasis on self-control. • The atmosphere is sin-centric. Let's focus on sins and mistakes and not on salvation and redemption. It says: "You must" and not "You are loved by God". The happy message has become a pressing message. • The Bible's instructions are not lived as an example to others, but children are also required to follow them. It is not understood that a parent should be a good example and model, but children are individuals who make their own decisions. If the parent's example is good and he values others, the child can also become interested in spiritual things. A good attitude speaks more than a thousand words. • Emotions are shunned and considered vanity. • Teaching about sexuality is distorted. It is not seen as a gift from God where a man and a wife can show their love and have offspring. Instead, it is seen in its entirety as a dirty and evil thing. It is not understood that it is acceptable in a marriage. • Children are required to behave in an exemplary and perfect manner for the sake of the environment and parishioners. • If a parent is legalistic and pretends to be perfect when everyone else is wrong, it can lead to rebellion. This is common in legalistic homes, but the situation is immediately corrected if the parent is able to admit his own mistakes and wrong attitudes. • Side issues are turned into main issues. It means paying undue attention to matters of hair and clothing, or things that are neither good nor bad in themselves.
What about legalism in the church? It includes many of the same features and features as the items on the previous list. It means that grace and the work of Christ come up very little, but instead the focus is on Christian actions, duties and rules, just as the Galatians focused on circumcision and law-keeping. That is why Paul had to severely rebuke the Galatians, who turned their eyes to their works instead of looking to Christ alone, who had atoned for their sins:
- (Gal 3:1-3) O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received you the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?
- (Gal 5:4) Christ is become of no effect to you, whoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace.
Legalism is not the only thing that burdens people in the church. A type of success teaching can be similar. It can lead to a similar state to legalism because it easily blames people if they have problems in their lives. The gospel has become good news only for the successful, but that is a false teaching. Of course, we can expect good things from God, such as health and material blessings, but many non-Christians can also experience them. They are not proof of the quality of spiritual life:
• All problems will be solved. It has been taught that when a person comes to faith, all problems are solved, but that is not true. Some problems can be solved immediately, but it is wrong to promise that this will happen in every case. Don't make too many promises. • A person must be healthy and successful. Success and health are good things and in the light of the Bible we can expect them as God's blessings. However, everyone can sometimes get sick or experience worldly losses. • We do not commit sin. It is taught that if a person is holy enough, he will no longer sin. However, such perfection is not possible on earth. Of course, we don't have to live in constant sin - if we do, it proves that we are not saved - but complete sinlessness is possible only in heaven. John's letter (1 John 1:8) says: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
The sins of the world have been atoned for. When the gospel is proclaimed, the sufficiency of Christ's work is often not brought up. Proclamation can be a mixture of law and grace. It emphasizes responsibilities or it can be a good message only for successful people. The good message has turned into a performance religion. However, the former is a counterfeit of the gospel. For the true gospel tells about the atonement that Christ has made, not only for people in the church, but for all people in the world. It is glad tidings for all people – big and small sinners – who can receive salvation as a gift. Their sins have already been atoned for and cannot prevent them from receiving the gift of salvation if they so desire:
- (2 Cor 5:19-21) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be you reconciled to God. 21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
- (1 John 2:1,2) My little children, these things write I to you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
The only sin that prevents people from being saved right now is that they don't believe in Jesus and turn to him. Their sins and wrongdoings are not an obstacle, but the fact that they reject Jesus and do not believe in Him. It is the only sin that separates them from God and leads them to damnation. If this matter is not understood, people have a flawed understanding of biblical declaration and teaching.
- (John 16:9) Of sin, because they believe not on me
- (Acts 16:30,31) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.
- (John 8:23,24) And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.
- (John 5:39,40) Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.
Self-image, i.e. our perception of ourselves. Many Christians, even though they are saved, often have a negative self-image. They see themselves as failures, unfit, worthless, have feelings of inferiority and they blame and despise themselves. Similarly, their concept of God is such that God is not interested in them, is angry with them, or is ready to abandon them. A person's self-image and image of God are very negative. How can we free ourselves from negative self-image and self-blame? The answer is found through the truth. When we get the same positive view that God has of us through Christ, we automatically begin to free ourselves from self-blame and contempt. Negative thoughts about ourselves are Satan's deception, but when we understand our new position through Christ, it brings about a positive change. In Neil T. Anderson's book, one person tells how important it is to understand one's true position in Christ:
Dear Dr. Anderson:
Looking back on the material covered in the course this academic year, I have realized that I have become more liberated in many ways and received new information. I think the most significant thing for me was the fact that in Christ I am important, accepted and safe. As I meditated on this material, I found that I was able to overcome many issues that I had struggled with for years: fear of failure, feelings of worthlessness, and a general feeling of inadequacy. I began to prayerfully explore "Who am I?" -assertions that we got at the lectures. I found myself coming back to this list several times during the semester, especially when I felt attacked by the fear of inadequacy. I have also told about this material in a group in my church, and many of my group members have also experienced new freedom in their lives. I can't speak nearly enough passionately about how people should be helped to understand who they really are in Christ. In my future work, I plan to make this area the dominant part of my teaching and soul care work. (10)
Now we are going to look at some of the most common lies and thoughts many Christians have about themselves. You can be liberated from these lies if you replace them with the truth, i.e. you understand your new position through Christ. Then, your perception of yourself will become realistic and the same as God has of you.
▪ I am worthless ▪ I am worthy, because Christ has redeemed me, because I am a child of God, and I will inherit His kingdom.
- (Gal 4:4-7) But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Why you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
- (1 John 3:1,2) Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
▪ I am not bringing happiness to anyone ▪ God and His angels are happy that I have turned to God
- (Luke 15:3-10) And he spoke this parable to them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, does not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.
▪ I do not think I am smart ▪ God has chosen me, even if I don’t think of myself as smart and successful
- (1 Cor 1:28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are:
- (Eph 1:4) According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
- (John 15:16) You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
▪ No one loves me ▪ God has loved me even before I turned to Christ, and He still loves me
- (Rom 5:8) But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- (Rom 8:38,39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
▪ I'm not pretty ▪ The inner person is more important than the outer one, and outer beauty is a perishable thing
- (2 Cor 4:16) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
- (1 Peter 3:3,4) Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
- (1 Peter 1:24,25) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass wither, and the flower thereof falls away: 25 But the word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached to you.
- (2 Cor 5:1) For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
▪ I have not been successful ▪ Secular success is worthless in terms of eternity
- (Matt 16:26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
- (Luke 12:18-21) And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said to him, You fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have provided? 21 So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
- (Phil 3:7,8) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yes doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
▪ I was not wanted ▪ God wanted me to be born
- (Rev 4:11) You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.
▪ My parents abandoned me ▪ God cares about me
- (Ps 27:10) When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
▪ My future is hopeless ▪ God gives me a future and hope
- (Jer 29:11-13) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall you call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.
- (1 Cor 10:13) There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
▪ I have no friends ▪ God and Jesus are with me and they are my friends. I am God’s partner
- (Matt 28:20) Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and, see, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.
- (Luke 12:4-7) And I say to you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: Fear him, which after he has killed has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, Fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.
- (John 15:15) From now on I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.
- (2 Cor 6:1) We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.
- (1 Cor 3:9) For we are laborers together with God: you are God's husbandry, you are God's building.
▪ I am materially poor ▪ God has given me a heavenly inheritance
- (Luke 12:32) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
- (Col 1:12) Giving thanks to the Father, which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
- (Eph 1:11,18) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
▪ I am afraid of people ▪ God is more important than people and He is on my side
- (Luke 12:4-7) And I say to you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: Fear him, which after he has killed has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, Fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.
- (Hebr 13:5,6) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.
- (Rom 8:31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
▪ I feel like I cannot approach God ▪ I have access to Heavenly Father through the blood of Jesus
- (Eph 2:13,18) But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
- (Eph 3:11,12) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
- (Hebr 10:19-22) Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
▪ I do not feel blessed ▪ Christ has redeemed me from the law’s curse, and I get to be blessed
- (Gal 3:13,14) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
- (Gal 3:8,9) And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel to Abraham, saying, In you shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
▪ I do not have my own family ▪ I belong in the family of God
- (Eph 2:17-20) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were near. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
- (Eph 1:5) Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
- (John 3:1,2) Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
▪ I have changed only a little ▪ I change all the time because God has started his good work in me
- (Phil 1:6) Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
▪ I am afraid of the dark forces ▪ God has taken me away from the darkness into His loved Son’s kingdom. He lives in me now
- (Col 1:12,13) Giving thanks to the Father, which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
- (Col 3:3) For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
- (Col 1:27) To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
- (1 John 4:4) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
▪ I have great sorrows ▪ I can give my sorrows to God
- (1 Peter 5:7) Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you.
▪ I do not feel a connection to God ▪ I am in Christ and I am a member of his body, even if I don't feel it. I am also God's temple
- (1 Cor 1:30) But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
- (John 15: 5) I am the vine, you are the branches: He that stays in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
- (1 Cor 12:27) Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
- (1 Cor 3:16) Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
▪ I feel that I am so lacking and unsuccessful in overcoming sin ▪ Although I am imperfect in myself, I am perfect and righteous before God through Christ
- (Hebr 10:14) For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
- (Rom 5:1,19) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
- (Rom 3:22-24) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ to all and on all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
What do we tell ourselves about circumstances? Just as we can have wrong ideas about God, salvation, and our position in Christ, we can also have wrong attitudes about circumstances. We can think that if the conditions are ideal and positive, we will be happy and satisfied, but in the opposite situation, we will be unhappy. We think that our happiness is completely dependent on what is around us. However, the fact is that it is not the circumstances themselves that cause depression, fear, despair, irritation and other negative emotions, but how we interpret these circumstances. Our own thinking and what we say to ourselves creates emotions, not external events. No matter how we look for the reason outside and in other people, the biggest reason is in our thoughts that control us. How can we let go of negative emotions and negative way of thinking? The answer lies in the fact that we first recognize and detect the wrong thought patterns, and replace them with the truth. When we find ourselves talking to ourselves in a negative tone, we should immediately deny it and speak in a positive tone. If we start listening to our own negative thoughts or perhaps the accusations of Satan, we can instead speak to ourselves the opposite and God's truth. Renowned preacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones has taught:
We have now gone through some causes of depression. What about the treatment? At this stage I will briefly mention that we must first learn what the psalm’s author also learnt – to take a hold of their situation. He is not content with just lying down and having pity on himself. He does something about it: he “gets a grip on himself”. But he does something even more important: he talks to himself and says: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted in me?” (Ps 42:5) He speaks to himself; he addresses himself. This is what we should do also. Our greatest problem is that we spend too much time with ourselves. …We must talk to ourselves, instead of letting our “self” talk to us! The problem in spiritual depression is that we allow our self to talk to us, rather than us talking to our self. Is this a self-caused paradox? Not exactly. In fact, here lies great wisdom. The majority of sorrows in our lives are caused by listening to our self. Why don’t you write down thoughts that you have immediately after waking up? You are not the one initiating those thoughts, and yet they start to talk to you; They bring back the problems of yesterday, etc. Someone is talking to you. Who? Your self is talking to you. The treatment for the man in our psalm was as follows: instead of letting his self talk to him, he began talking to himself. “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” he asks. He had been discouraged and beat down. Now he strikes back and says: Self, listen here, what I say to you.” Might you understand what I mean? If you don’t, you have not experienced much yet. (11)
Those types of Christian therapies (or secular therapies as well) that focus on identifying false thought patterns and replacing them with truth have been found to help people significantly more than other forms of therapy. When people are helped to change their thinking habits, it reduces depression and other negative emotions that we so easily drift into. Recovery rates are much higher among those who have learned to recognize their false thought patterns and replace them with truth. A couple of quotes prove this to be true. The first of them is from the book Telling Yourself the Truth, which deals with the most common erroneous thought patterns:
We have decided to call our treatment “the therapy of false beliefs”. It is based on bringing the truth into our values, morals, and into our beliefs about our emotional life, as well as into the words that we say to ourselves… We recently concluded a research project that involves a six-month ex-post monitoring of each patient who attended the Christian Psychiatric institution – via phone calls and conversations. The goal was to obtain reliable information about how well the treatment on false beliefs had worked for the patients. The results were gratifying. 95 % of the treated patients in our clinic had been cured. These people were also able to name specific behavioral patterns that had changed for the better. They were happy about the treatment they had received and the results they gained. (12)
… Doctor Henn and his colleagues have come to a conclusion that in the same way that chemical changes in the nervous system affect our behavior, behavioral changes also affect the chemicals in our nervous system. Similar results have been obtained in treatments of depressed patients. A short psychotherapeutic treatment called cognitive therapy is focused on the thinking patterns of the depressed, especially on thoughts highlighting hopelessness and helplessness. By changing these thinking patterns, they have received as effective results in treating depression, as the antidepressant imipramine. (13)
Next, we will highlight some of the most common erroneous thought patterns, which we easily drift into and in which we talk to ourselves in the wrong way. The change starts when we recognize the wrong habits and start telling ourselves the opposite. The lie is replaced by the truth:
▪ I want people to appreciate me and speak well of me ▪ The fact that others appreciate me and speak well of me can be a nice thing. However, I must think about God's approval more than people's
- (Luke 6:26) Woe to you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
- (Gal 1:10) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
- (1 Cor 4:3) But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yes, I judge not my own self.
- (1 Thess 2:4-6) But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
- (John 5:44) How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?
▪ People do not accept me and reject me. It makes me unhappy. ▪ Even if people reject me, I can still be happy and satisfied and go on with my life happily. It is not my problem that others view me negatively, it is the problem of these people. It is a lie that I cannot be satisfied even if I am rejected.
▪ I'm afraid that others will see how tense I am or laugh at me if I fail ▪ If others see my failure or my inner feelings, it may feel uncomfortable, but I can still cope with it. It's not the end of the world
▪ It is terrible to be troubled and embarrassed among others ▪ I can enjoy myself in the company of others, regardless of their opinions, and the feeling of being bothered is not so dangerous. It can be unpleasant but bearable
▪ My spouse has left me. I can never be happy again ▪ Even though I am alone now, I can still be satisfied. It is a delusion that happiness depends on another person. The most important thing is the relationship with God.
▪ My feelings never change for the better and I can't get out of my depression ▪ Even if the circumstances remain difficult, I can still be happy. My own thinking makes me depressed, not the circumstances. There is no point in worrying about something that cannot be changed. I might as well be happy. In addition, I can trust that Jesus is the Lord of my life. My life is in his hands.
- (Phil 3:1) Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
- (Phil 4:4) Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
- (1 Cor 10:13) There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
▪ My husband / wife's behavior makes me angry. Why doesn't he/she change his ways? ▪ The fact is that the other person's behavior does not make me unhappy or angry, but my own demanding attitude. I can be happy and satisfied even if the other person doesn't change his ways
▪ It makes me angry and sad when others behave differently than I want ▪ If others have not changed their behavior, even though I have hoped, there is no need to worry about it. They are unlikely to change their behavior in the future, if they haven't done it so far. I might as well start thanking God for these people and be happy
- (Eph 5:20) Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
- (1 Thess 5:18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
- (2 Tim 3:2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
▪ I am afraid of changes and new situations in my life ▪ Although changes can seem scary, I can accept them as interesting challenges
ABOUT SOUL CARE. When a person has traumatic experiences from their past that others have caused them, it often leads to two things in people's lives. They are bitterness and self-judgment. Sven Reichmann writes about these two roots of sin that can arise as a result of rejection (The third consequence of experiences of rejection may be a distorted image of God, even if a person has turned to God and allowed himself to be saved.):
…The same can happen inside a person's mind after all kinds of disappointments. It is common for a person who has not been loved as a child to feel bitterness towards his or her parents. Often the person also judges and rejects himself, like others have rejected him or her earlier. Bitterness and judging oneself live simultaneously in the mind of that person, and form a vicious circle there from which it is difficult to be freed. (14)
What about when such a person drifts into pastoral care and wants to free himself from the things that bind him? In this area, many operate according to secular therapies. When trying to help a person, they investigate and deal with his past. So they discuss difficult experiences and unpleasant memories, trying to get the person in therapy to accept their past. Such a process is often long and its results uncertain. Biblical pastoral care differs from the previous one. Although it also usually brings up the person's past to understand the backgrounds, it includes things that are not present in secular therapy. The three important steps to freedom in biblical pastoral care are the following factors:
Repenting and confessing sins. When Jesus, John the Baptist and the apostles preached, at the heart of their declaration was a call to repentance. It meant turning to God, rejecting sins and confessing them to God, and that is the most important thing in soul care as well. When people truly repent of their sins and experience sorrow according to God's will (2 Cor 7:10), it clears the way for freedom. Darkness is the base of the devil and the forces of lies, but if a person brings his sins to the light, i.e. confesses them to God, deceitful forces lose their right to affect that person’s life. Especially when it comes to wounded and rejected people, they must admit bitterness and unforgiveness but also self-hatred, self-pity and suicidal thoughts. If a person is not ready for it, it is impossible for him to experience God's help. A good example of this is in the book Supernatural Ways of Royalty (Kris Vallotton & Bill Johnson). In it, a woman was under the influence of demons and could not be freed. However, when the preacher received word from God that the woman hated her father and had not forgiven him, the woman admitted that it was so, and finally forgave. She had been sexually abused. When the demons were then ordered to leave, the woman was immediately freed. The example shows that if we do not meet God's conditions, it is impossible to experience freedom.
Resisting the devil. Often a person is freed immediately after he feel godly sorrow and repents his sins. Then you may not need to pay attention to the spirit powers at all. However, a command (in the name of Jesus Christ) and unbounding from Evil forces is often necessary. This should not be neglected. Before that, however, one must confess all the sins that come to mind, which have been gateways for the forces of lies into a person's life. That will make banishing them easier. Subordination to God comes before resisting the devil, as taught in the Epistle of James:
- (James 4:7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Understanding the truth (the subject of this article), i.e. faith in the gospel, is also related to experiencing freedom. When a person understands the truth - especially that he can be the object of God's love and pardoned through Christ - he can be freed from many addictions. Before that, however, it is good to examine where the thoughts come from. Many people think that every thought in their mind is their own, but that is not true. Some of the thoughts may come from the devil, whom the Bible calls an accuser, a tempter, and a liar. It can put thoughts in a person's mind, accuse him (Many hear voices, e.g.: "God does not love you, you have committed an unforgivable sin, end your life, don't go to that spiritual meeting...) or lie to him. As a result of voices or thoughts, a person is usually driven to despair in his relationship with God, to pride, to a wrong perception of himself, or to doing something stupid that dishonors himself and God. An extreme example of a lie is the eating disorder Anorexia nervosa, where a person can imagine himself/herself to be fat, even if they are extremely thin. The lying activity of the devil is very clear from the following verses. It was able to influence even the thoughts of David and Peter:
- (John 8:44) You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
- (Matt 4:3) And when the tempter came to him, he said, If you be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
- (1 Thess 3:5) For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain.
- (Rev 12:10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brothers is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
- (2 Cor 4:3,4) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.
- (Eph 2:1,2) And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
- (John 13:2) And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
- (1 Chron 21:1) And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
- (Matt 16:21-23) From that time forth began Jesus to show to his disciples, how that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from you, Lord: this shall not be to you. 23 But he turned, and said to Peter, Get you behind me, Satan: you are an offense to me: for you mind not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Paul also talked about this. He does not directly talk about the lies of Satan, but uses the words: strong hold, imaginations and high things that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Those are thoughts that are pleasing to the evil and which are also based on lies. Understanding the truth and succumbing to it will break these strong holds:
- (2 Cor 10:3-5) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
What about pastoral care? Often, those people who have traumatic experiences and rejection in their lives also have a distorted view of God and themselves. It is not their difficult experiences themselves that have bound them, but the lies of Satan associated with them. Neil T. Anderson talks about the subject based on his extensive experience in pastoral care:
It took me years to realize that people are not bound because of their past experiences – they are bound because they have believed lies as a result of their traumatic experiences. (15)
How can one be freed from lies? There is a simple answer: the lie is replaced by the truth. When many people have a distorted view of God, themselves and salvation, the truth should be taught instead. When people first confess all their conscious sins and then get right understanding through the truth, they experience freedom. A good example can be found in the book Supernatural Ways of Royalty (Kris Vallotton & Bill Johnson). It tells the story of a woman who was bound by demons and had not been freed. He had been told as a child that he would go to hell because he had mocked the Holy Spirit. Fortunately, the Lord intervened so that the preacher received the word of knowledge. He whispered to the woman: "The devil told you, when you were little, that you mocked the Holy Spirit, but that is a lie." The woman immediately calmed down and started laughing. In a few seconds he was completely free from the false powers because the truth had set him free. Let's look at a quote that deals with the same topic. Colin Urquhart tells how he has experienced the truth setting people free. When they realize that they are not victims of the past but receive a new position through Christ, they begin to change:
Does God want us to be healed? No doubt! Does he want to free us from the sorrows of the past and the feeling of inadequacy of the present? Absolutely! You cannot achieve those goals by looking to yourself and to your past, however. You can only achieve it by holding on to the truth and making it your own. This book encourages you to do so. I have held many conferences titled "Direct Soul Care". The events are directed to those who work as pastors and help people. Without exaggeration I can say that the said conferences have made a big change in the lives of those people who have been involved with those events. At the end of each conference it feels like I am talking to a whole new group of people than in the beginning. I do not ask for glory for myself, because I have only used my time to tell them about the truth, which has had the liberating effect promised by Jesus. Many have written to me afterwards, how their ministry has changed dramatically. People who have received soul care for years are finally free! I will give you an example. A certain preacher attended one of my conferences and the truth affected his life and his ministry in a way that he sent his wife to the next conference. Later, he wrote to me and thanked me for his “new” wife and told how astonishingly quickly people become liberated through his wife. That is the kind of effect truth has on people’s lives. It is not the truth about themselves or about their past, but the truth about what Jesus has done for them. At another conference, a woman who had received two years of soul therapy shared that the truth had made her in two days what soul care had not been able to do in two years. Now he was free. When you looked at him, you got proof of what he said. Gone was a wrinkled forehead, a worried expression, and a distorted, distraught face. He was now radiant and calm. It must not be hard for Christians to find joy, because Jesus has done everything needed to deliver them. It doesn't matter how wounded they are or how terrible experiences they've had. (16)
Why don't people break free? The importance of truth in liberation has been discussed above. When a person understands the truth, especially about salvation and how through Christ he is righteous, forgiven, under grace and the object of God's love, he is freed from the bonds and accusations of Satan. The enemy cannot accuse him of, for example, the unforgivable sin if he understands his position through Christ. Sometimes, however, there are situations where people don't immediately break free, and then you have to think about what's causing it. Perhaps the reason is occult objects in the home - e.g. heirloom jewelry or souvenirs -, curses cast by others or visits to a spirit healer and fortune teller. These things can bind a person without being aware of it. When these things are corrected, a person confesses the sins related to them and then orders the forces of lies to leave, he can be freed quickly. Let's look at a couple of related quotes. The first of these deals with one of the most common gateways for the devil: unforgiveness. Nicky Cruz tells how it's useless to pray to people for healing or other help if they don't want to forgive. We must first meet God's conditions for Him to help us:
Wherever I go, people continually ask me to pray that they would be healed, would get over an economic crisis or would be freed from continuous attacks of the devil. Instead of immediately praying, I now first ask whether they have forgiven. It is amazing how ugly issues come up to the surface when I test them a little. Is it useless to pray on their behalf if there is an unforgiving mind in the background. An unforgivable mind lets the devil in our life and will threaten everything we love – our family relationships, career, work, physical and mental health. (17)
The second quote shows how family inheritance can affect a person's life - this happens especially in the occult, where demonic influence and gifts can be inherited. Denis Clark tells about a person who did not experience freedom because he had not renounced the sins and wrongdoings of his family. When they were brought to light, that is, confessed to God, this person was immediately freed:
I will tell another case. When I was speaking in an Easter meeting, the preacher of the church asked whether I had ever driven out evil spirits. When I said that I occasionally had had a right to do so, he asked to bring inside a girl belonging to his church who was troubled by evil spirits. I demanded that everybody except the preachers must first leave the room. The girl was brought into the room, but three men were needed to restrain her. We stood around her, but as soon as the men loosened their grip, she turned and started coming towards me, her hands directed at my eyes. Her fingers resembled the claws of a hawk. The fight was soon in progress, but it was not won quickly. In fact, the fight continued for years after the events of that day. The pastor called preacher after preacher ‘to try their luck’ so that the girl would be freed from the evil spirit, but nothing helped. Every time the demon was controlled for a while but never completely overcome. One well-known preacher tried his fists 'against the demon’, and the poor girl was left with bruises after his treatment.
When I was visiting the church years from this, I asked to see the girl with another preacher. She was brought inside, but she looked like a frightened animal. It was no wonder, since she had experienced so much bad treatment. We assured her that we would not harm her in any way and that we only wanted to ask some questions. The most important question concerned her parents. As we listened to her, we understood that her background included several reasons for why she had this kind of trouble. We acted according to Lev 26:39-42, and we brought the sins of her parents and grandparents before the Lord. Without anything being driven out, the girl completely calmed down and went to the kitchen to help the women taking care of the food of the conference.
Can demons penetrate the life of people without the acceptance of God? If they can, they are easy to drive away. But if the demons appear with THE PERMISSION of God, as the Apostle Paul observed, who can then drive them away? It is impossible without the acceptance of God. In the case described above, the girl had to repent for her parents. Remember what happened to Job! That great man was not freed before he repented in dust and ash. Trial and error will get you nowhere. Are we not obliged to ask God why we cannot drive out demons? By no means is it enough to say loudly or quietly, "The one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world.” Has God not said that He will punish the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him? What servant of God could break such a curse in any other way than relying on the atoning work of Christ, when He was cursed for us? In order to not regard God as unjust, let us remember that He is merciful to thousands of generations for those who love Him! What a merciful God! (18)
REFERENCES:
1. Neil T. Anderson: Enemmän kuin voittaja (The Bondage Breaker), p. 26,27 2. Neil T. Anderson: Enemmän kuin voittaja (The Bondage Breaker) 3. Erik Ewalds: Sielunhoito ja terapia, p.123 4. C.O. Rosenius: Vanhurskaana Jeesuksessa, p. 69,70 5. Pam Woodson: Vanhurskaus on ilmestynyt, p.13 6. Veikko Pekki: Päästäkää hänet siteistä, p. 21 7. Åge M. Åleskjaer: Täydellinen vapaus (Fullstendig Frihet), p. 134 8. Sven Reichmann: Vapauteen kutsutut (Kallad till frihet), p. 62,63 9. Charles G. Finney: Ihmeelisiä herätyksiä, p. 89-91 10. Neil T. Anderson: Vapauttava totuus (Victory over the Darkness), p. 49 11. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: Terve usko, Raamatun apu masennukseen (Spiritual Depression. Its Causes and Cure), p. 20 12. William Backus / Marie Chapian: Sinä voit muuttua (Telling yourself the truth), p. 10,11 13. Papolos Demitri & Janice: Overcoming Depression. Harper Perennial 1992. 14. Sven Reichmann: Vapauteen kutsutut, p. 113,115 15. Neil T. Anderson: Enemmän kuin voittaja (The Bondage Breaker), p. 280 16. Colin Urquhart: Totuus vapauttaa sinut (The Truth That Sets You Free), p. 15,16 17. Nicky Cruz: Juoksu jatkuu, p.88 18. Denis Clark: "Herkkäuskoisten harharetket", p. 35,36
Find the assurance of salvation! Assurance of salvation; why is it missing and how to get it? If someone stares at himself and his own deeds, and not at Jesus, he never gets assurance Mental health and belief. Christian faith, when one understands God’s love and grace for oneself, has a positive effect on mental health Be freed from your past! Heavy experiences and memories of the past guide people’s lives and self-image. Read how you can get rid of the burdens of the past Deliverance from bondage. When a person is saved, he is not always released from all bonds. Satan may still disturb him, and he may lack the peace promised by Jesus Will there be any change? There is or there should be a constant change in a Christian after his salvation. This writing addresses this topic Healing. Healings were common during the time of Jesus and the apostles. However, God was the same then as now, so we can expect the same in modern times
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Grap to eternal life!
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Find the assurance of salvation! Assurance of salvation; why is it missing and how to get it? If someone stares at himself and his own deeds, and not at Jesus, he never gets assurance Mental health and belief. Christian faith, when one understands God’s love and grace for oneself, has a positive effect on mental health Be freed from your past! Heavy experiences and memories of the past guide people’s lives and self-image. Read how you can get rid of the burdens of the past Deliverance from bondage. When a person is saved, he is not always released from all bonds. Satan may still disturb him, and he may lack the peace promised by Jesus Will there be any change? There is or there should be a constant change in a Christian after his salvation. This writing addresses this topic Healing. Healings were common during the time of Jesus and the apostles. However, God was the same then as now, so we can expect the same in modern times
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