Archive for ‘CrossWay’

In this message, pastor Clint applies biblical teaching to the issue of finding freedom through Christ from spiritual strongholds that manifest as physical addictions and habits of the flesh, psychological and emotional dysfunctions and distorted theological beliefs.

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Summary by Darrin Koehler

God created man mind, body, soul and spirit; it is Satan’s mission to build strongholds against each of these things in the believer’s life. He knows that he cannot take us from the security of the Father, but he still wants to kill us and make us completely ineffective. We all know what it’s like to have strongholds that hold us captive – to experience depression, bitterness, laziness, shame, etc. – but Jesus has made a way for us to be free.

Satan’s methods haven’t changed much, though. Since the beginning, in the garden of Eden, Satan cast doubt and question on God’s character. He did it with cunning and subtlety, feeding Eve half truths that seemed appealing at the time. He showed her the bells and whistles but hid the price tag. It’s his plan to cause us to rebel against and resist Godly authority. We see this as a pattern throughout the entire biblical narrative: against Moses, against the prophets, against the New Testament Apostles. It continues today.

To these strongholds, there is only one solution: repentance. Repentance is a gift from God that is made possible through the work of Jesus on the cross. The greek term for this word is a compound word which means a change of mind. This important because that is where repentance starts. It starts there, and it ultimately results in a permanent change in behavior. This is by the power of the Holy Spirit who enables us and empowers us for freedom. Repentance begins in the heart and mind, and bears fruit that is evident outwardly.

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