Breaking Chains (Part 2)

Because we all have a tendency to excuse ourselves so readily, it is difficult to discern the chains of oppression that bind us in in our lives.  After all, these are our thoughts, our attitudes, and our perceptions. We justify and defend our thoughts with the same degree of intensity with which we justify and defend ourselves.  As a man thinks so is he.  Therefore, before any deliverance can truly be accomplished, we must honestly recognize and confess our need.

When identifying your chains, survey or examine the attitudes in your heart. Every area in your thinking that glistens with hope in God is an area which is being liberated by Christ.  Any system of thinking that does not have hope, which feels hopelessness, is a stronghold, which must be pulled down.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 gives us two important things that help us to tear down strong holds and defeat those weaknesses.  The first one is bringing our thoughts into conformity with Christ's and the second one is obedience to His Word.

2 Corinthians10:4, 5 "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

Jesus Christ is the model of what God considers typical for the new-creation man.  He is not just our Savior, He is the Indwelling One who conforms us to His image, the first-born of a family of glorious sons.  When our thought life is in agreement with unbelief, fear, or habitual sin, then the enemy has rest and seeks out those places that are in harmony with his environment.

Therefore we must learn to look objectively at any thoughts or attitudes that fail to conform to the likeness and teachings of Jesus.  Those thoughts must be captured and wrong attitudes crucified.  We must make way in us for the coming of the Lord.  We must allow the "increase of His government" to expand until we are so absorbed into His Spirit that we not only believe in Him, we believe like Him.  His love, thoughts and desires flow out from within us.

To bring down or cast down our past experiences we must let God be found true and every man a liar.

Romans 3:4  "Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged."

The only one who has the right to shape our lives is Jesus Christ.  We must determine to allow nothing and no one to shape us, not even our personal experiences unless they are consistent with the promises of God. If you were not healed, a stronghold of unbelief could set in and chain you in darkness, but if you bring your thoughts into conformity with God's thoughts, the stronghold will break and faith will come forth.  If you have a problem with a brother or sister and forgiveness is not enacted, bitterness and resentment will settle in. Jesus can and will tear down your strongholds and break your chains!