What's Next?

DAY 1 - REPENT - Acknowledge areas of sin, carelessness, dabbling, etc., and then confess the sin that provided the foothold to begin with.

REPENT:  μετανοέω (Strong's G3340 - metanoeō)
To think differently; change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins; morally feel compunction
 
ACTS 3:19
19 So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of [a]reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord

Was there something that stood out to you during the “Close the Door” sermon this week, where you want to receive freedom or breakthrough - a lie that the enemy has tricked you about?

If something doesn’t quickly come to mind, here are some other questions to consider to expose the lies of the enemy.

• Where does the enemy seem to be attacking you or your family members?
• What things am I complaining about... either out loud or in my head?
• Are there repeated negative or anti-Biblical phrases or behaviors that I'm noticing?
• What negative emotions am I feeling right now (like sad, mad, tired, confused, etc.)? What do I think my son/daughter/spouse is feeling right now?
• What is driving me crazy about myself, my spouse, or my kids?
• What sins am I/are we struggling with? (I try to think of the more subtle ones if something overt isn't coming to mind, things like: pride, rebellion, unbelief, envy, selfishness, ambition.)

Some areas to consider where we “give up ground” to the enemy:

• Pride (relying on self, refusing to be humble before God/hard-heartedness/apathy). Where are you desensitized? How can the Holy Spirit make you sensitive again? How do we audit the footholds? Where are we distant, apathetic, indifferent? How do we become soft-hearted again? How do you guard your heart?
• Unforgiveness/bitterness (refusing to let go of past hurts blocks healing)
• We have to practice forgiveness, practice asking for forgiveness, and work toward reconciliation
• Jealousy/anger/hatred (fuel division and destruction)
• Dabbling in occult/idolatry (putting things before God)
• Rebellion or disobedience (resisting God’s authority/rejecting Him & His Word).  This can also include addiction/bondage to substances, lust, greed or cycles that enslave us.

PRAYER - REPENT:

Lord, please forgive me for (state the sin/sins). I acknowledge it was wrong.

I repent for leaving the door open and giving the enemy access and opportunity to reap destruction in my life.  I choose to willingly turn from my way and shut the door of (name the sin) in my life.  I choose to refrain from doing this anymore.  Please give me strength to be obedient to you.

I plead the blood of Jesus over my mind, my physical frame, my will and emotions.  I seal the closed door with the blood of the Lamb.  I declare that it is finished.  All things are made new in Jesus Name!
 
(If you recognize any unforgiveness, bring that to the Lord too and pray as Jesus did:  Father forgive them…)

Father, please forgive (name the person) for hurting me, specifically for ______.  As an act of my will, even if I don't feel it, I choose to forgive them too. I thank you that you've forgiven my sin as far as the east is from the west, and I choose to forgive my debtors as I have been forgiven of all the debt I could not pay. I choose to let go of the hurt and not dwell on the offense anymore. It is finished.

Spiritual Warfare by Karl Payne
Deliverance from Evil Spirits by Francis Macnutt
Your Story has a Villain by Jonathan Pokluda
Curses, Unforgiveness, Evil Spirits, Deliverance by Roger Miller
Your Adversary the Devil by Dwight Pentecost
Spiritual House Cleaning:Protect Your Home and Family from Spiritual Pollution by Eddie & Alice Smith
For a comprehensive list of resources on the subject of spiritual warfare/deliverance please email Di here