Freedom is a process

John 8:36  (NKJV)

36 Therefore if the Son (Jesus) makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

How to stay in freedom.  

Luke 11:24-26  (NKJV)

24 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

The Captivity Cycle.

Step 1.  Freedom from Sin

Step 2. Prosperity 

Step 3. Bondage because success might breed pride and materialism. 

How to Stay Free

1. Admit when you need help.

Luke 15:15-17 (NKJV)

15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

2. Humbly repent when you sin to God and others.

Luke 15:18 (NKJV)

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,

1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

James 5:16 (NKJV)

16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

3. Daily choose to reject the Devil's lies.

Luke 15:29-31 (NKJV)

29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.

4. Daily choose to read and receive God's truth from the Bible.

Luke 15:22-24  (NKJV)

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here 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.

1. The Robe of Righteousness means to see yourself as God see you. 

2.  The Ring of Authority means to know the authority and power of Jesus's name to retain your freedom.

3.  The shoes mean that you can now have freedom from the predicament of sin.  

Prayer for Freedom 

Heavenly Father, I bow in worship and praise before you.  I surrender myself completely and unreservedly in every area of my life to you.  I take a stand against all the working of Satan in my life.  

LORD, I resist all the endeavors of Satan and his wicked spirits to rob me of the will of God.  I choose to be transformed by the renewing of my mind.

I pull down every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ and loose into myself a sound mind, the mind of Christ. Thank you LORD for setting me free.

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/stay-free1