RTBROS
10 Steps To Shatter Sin Strongholds
1. First, one must first recognize there is a problem. This is crucial. A man who was suffering from severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms (DTs) he was rushed to a detox center where he underwent treatment for several weeks. He was told not to go back to the same environment because there would be to much temptation to slip back into his old habits and old ways. He went back home anyway. He went right back to his old ways, and two years later was found dead in his closet. It seemed as if he was trying to get dressed for work. There are so many other stories where people’s lives have been destroyed by sin patterns, and never acknowledging they have a problem.
There is hope!
Proverbs 28:13 [13] He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
You can’t confess what you don’t recognize or know is a problem. Therefore, we know there is hope for those who take that first step—recognizing there is a problem.
2. The second step is don't rationalize the problem. Don't rename it to make it less abhorrent. Understand that the problem is wrong. So often we immediately recognize sins for what they are, but then we rationalize and justify our sins because we enjoy them. Here are some questions to help you avoid rationalizing.
Do you want your Children to do what you do, Say what you say and go where you Go.
If you saw your child following your example in this area would it make you sad or mad?
1 John 2:16 [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Proverbs 8:13 [13] The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
3. The third step in this process is never blame others for our sin. You will often hear, “If my wife were just more loving.” Or “If my husband understood me better.” Or “My work is just too stressful so I deserve this night on the town… these four drinks… this hour with my porn magazines… What’s the harm? It’s just a drink with a co-worker.” And it doesn’t have to be one of the BIG sin addictions. It can be something as simple as hitting the snooze and not getting up to spend time alone with God, not spending time with other believers, eating way to much, forgetting your body is God's and it is His Temple. We rationalize everything which quiets our conscious it becomes numb. It goes back to our first parents, Adam and Eve. Adam pointed his finger at his wife, and she in turb pointed her finger at the serpent. It is always someone else’s fault.
Job 31:1 “[31:1] I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? ?”
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The fourth step is found in Proverbs 9:10-11[10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. [11] For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
And in Proverbs 16:6[6] By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Only through aknowledging the LORD as the Almighty Sovereign of our whole life can we conquer our habits and sin patterns permanently. God will discipline His children, like any loving father; God designed it that way. Sin has consequences, just like our sinful addictions have consequences, sometimes with devestating effects. God is in control, of us and those consequences.
The fifth step is understanding that will power alone won't break Sin patterns . You hear people say, “If he just had more will power, he wouldn’t be so fat!” It is not a question of simple will power. The flesh is weak. Temptation is strong when it comes along, the mind starts playing with the temptation, thinking about the enjoyment of giving in to the temptation, and before you realize what happened, the action follows the mind’s thought pattern. At a weak moment, the Christian will give in—Romans 7:18 [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. .— unless he depends upon the power of the LORD, that exact same power raised Jesus from the dead, it also parted the Red Sea, and fed the 5,000, it also turned water into wine. Make no mistake, breaking a sinful addiction is a mmiracle of the first order. The Christian has access to the mighty power of God. . Philippians 2:13 “[13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure .”
The first five steps can be taken almost simultaneously. The sixth step is an ongoing process.
The Christian who wants to break his addiction must flee temptation.
Joseph fled the seduction of Potiphar’s wife. He was in prison, but wasn’t that more of a blessing than a curse? Potiphar’s wife would have continued to tempt Joseph if he had remained within her home. God put Joseph in a place where he would eventually help Pharaoh and become second in command of all Egypt. Fleeing temptation has rewards. We need to recognize that not every seeming bad thing is truly a bad thing. Joseph's prison was actually his freedom from that temptation.
Here are some Bible verses on fleeing temptation...
Proverbs 4:15 [14] Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men . [15] Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. [16] For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. [17] For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. [18] But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. [19] The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
I Corinthians 6:18 “[18] Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. ”
2 Timothy 2:22 [22] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. [23] But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
Step seven is harder to do. The Christian must, permanently attach to and become one with, the Word of God especially concerning the specific sin one is struggeling with. Any sin that has you or a loved one enslaved is written about in the Bible. God has made sure that no one has any excuse for sin. Whether it is the occult (Leviticus 20, 1 Samuel 15:23), idolatry (John 2:8, Galatians 5:20), or any other of the issues addressed in the Ten Commands, God boldly speaks out against sin and gives examples of consequences that happened as a result of that sin. David never had a moment’s peace within his family because of his adultery and murder.
Step eight seems harsh, but in order to flee temptation, one must get rid of the temptation. That means throw out all the pornography, erotic novels (you do realize that graphic love scenes are a form of pornography, right?), junk food, cigarettes, alcohol, work that you bring home which steals your time from your family, every thing that you allow to come between you and God, all things which has enslaved you. Except, of course, you cannot throw out your family or church. There are people who worship their church work and their children to the point of idolatry. Numbers 33:52 [52] Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: [53] And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it.
There are such things as demons and Satan uses them to attack our weaknesses. Christians can become oppressed by demons. Read the book, Escaping the Cauldron by my friend Kristine McGuire. Another good one is by Beth Moore, When Godly People Do Ungodly Things.
.Step nine. There is such a thing as generational sin Patterns. Deliverance is needed and cannot be done alone. Pray for God to deliver and seek help from your pastor. Keep seeking, but know that Satan will do everything in his power to keep you from being delivered. James 4:7[7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. [9] Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. [10] Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Understanding that it is not all about what NOT to do. There is significant help in submitting to the authority of God, submersing ones self in His Word, and in keeping company with His people who will hold one accountable. Always remember that the prayers of a righteous man avails much [16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16). ).
“[17] Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. .” (Hebrew 13:17).
Step ten in breaking a sinful addiction requires deliberate choice on the part of the Christian to disable Satan’s hold and enable God’s control. Once the deliberate choice is made, then the healing process may take a long time or a short time depending upon how entrenched the sin pattern is in the person’s life. Babies do not come out of the womb walking and talking. It takes time for a baby to develop into a mobile, communicative being.
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