Bondage vs Freedom

2Pe 2:17 These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.

Bondage vs Freedom 20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Bondage vs Freedom WARNING: Don’t do this!

Bondage vs Freedom We are slaves to whatever has mastered us!

Dear heavenly Father, You have told me to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lust. I confess that I have given in to fleshly lusts that wage war against my soul. I thank You that in Christ my sins are already forgiven, but I have broken Your holy law and given the devil a chance to wage war in my body.

I come to You now to confess and renounce these sins of the flesh so that I might be cleansed and set free from the bondage of sin. Please reveal to my mind now all the sins of the flesh I have committed and the ways I have grieved the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen. (See Proverbs 28:13; Romans 6:12,13; 13:14; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Peter 2:11; 5:8.)

Jas 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?

Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

The 10 “getting free commandments” in the book of James 1. “Submit” to God

The 10 “getting free commandments” in the book of James 2. “Resist” the Devil Romans 8:12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

The 10 “getting free commandments” in the book of James 2. “Resist” the Devil 1Jn 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

The 10 “getting free commandments” in the book of James 3. “Draw near” to God 4. “Wash” your hands

The 10 “getting free commandments” in the book of James 5. “Purify” your hearts 6-9. “Grieve” “mourn” “wail” “change” (Repent)

The 10 “getting free commandments” in the book of James 10. “Humble” yourself

“The Sin Audit” There are many sins of the flesh that can control us. The following list contains many of them, but a prayerful examination of Mark 7:20-23, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 4:25- 31, and other Scripture passages will help you to be even more thorough. Look over the list below and the Scriptures just listed and ask the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind the ones you need to confess. He may reveal to you others as well. For each one the Lord shows you, pray a prayer of confession from your heart. There is a sample prayer following the list. (Note: Sexual sins, divorce, eating disorders, substance abuse, abortion, suicidal tendencies, and perfectionism will be dealt with later in this step. Sometimes counselling may help you find complete healing and freedom in these and other areas.)

“The Sin Audit”  Stealing  Quarrelling/fighting  Jealousy/envy  Complaining/criticism  Lustful actions  Gossip/slander  Swearing (Language that does not honour the Lord)  Apathy/laziness  Lying

“The Sin Audit”  Hatred  Anger  Lustful thoughts  Drunkenness  Cheating  Procrastination  Greed/materialism  Any Others: ______________  ________________________

“The Sin Audit” Father, I confess that I have committed the sin of (name the area). Thank You for Your forgiveness and cleansing. I now turn away from this sin and turn to You, Lord. Strengthen me by Your Holy Spirit to obey You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Sexual Sin” Father, I ask You to bring to my mind every sexual use of my body as an instrument of unrighteousness so I can renounce these sins right now. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

“Sexual Sin” As the Lord brings to your mind every wrong sexual use of your body, whether it was done to you (rape, incest, sexual molestation) or willingly by you (addiction to pornography & masturbation, sexual immorality), renounce every occasion: ____________________________________

“Sexual Sin” Father, I renounce (name the specific use of your body) with (name any other person involved). I ask You to break that sinful bond with (name).

“Sexual Sin” Father, I renounce all these uses of my body as an instrument of unrighteousness, and I admit to any wilful participation. I choose now to present my eyes, mouth, mind, heart, hands, feet, and sexual organs to You as instruments of righteousness. I present my whole body to You as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable. I choose to reserve the sexual use of my body for marriage only.

“Sexual Sin” I reject the devil’s lie that my body is not clean or that it is dirty or in any way unacceptable to You as a result of my past sexual experiences. Lord, thank You that You have totally cleansed and forgiven me and that You love and accept me just the way I am. Therefore, I choose now to accept myself and my body as clean in Your eyes. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. (See Hebrews 13:4.)

“Special Prayers for Special Needs” See your outline.

“Special Prayers for Special Needs” Father, I now confess these sins to You and claim through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ my forgiveness and cleansing. I cancel out all ground that evil spirits have gained through my wilful involvement in sin. I pray this in the wonderful name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.