Strongholds are sin patterns that have developed in our lives and require focused attention to destroy.
Now that we are “in Christ” we need to understand why we often still feel drawn to sin (this is our flesh). We are now dead to sin, (Romans 6:11; 8:9), but sin still exists in our flesh (Romans 7).
The best testimony is a life that demands an explanation.
One of the ways we realize faulty worldviews have affected us is when we find ourselves searching for experiences to validate truth. For instance
“We know that our old self was crucified with {Jesus] in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin” (Romans 6:6).
Many who struggle to apply verses like this to themselves wonder,
“What experience must I have in order for that to be truth? I don’t feel dead to sin?
The only experience that had to happen in order from that to be true happened, over 2000 years ago when Christ died in our place and the only way we can appropriate that is by faith. Faith in the promises of God allows us to participate with Him in his divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4).
Adapted from “The Power of Presence” – Neil T. Anderson
We primarily don’t grow in our relationship with Jesus because of unbelief; we simply don’t believe God will come through for us. In this session we examine this closer and understand that our belief has to change before our behaviors ever will.
Learning to trust after years of trying.
There are times in our life where we fall into sinful behavior. What changes in how God relates to us when we sin? The answer may surprise you…..
Our identity is how we see ourselves. Our behavior is birthed out of our identity. Many people spend time trying to change their behaviors, without ever changing the way they see themselves (their identity). “In Christ” we are not a better version of ourselves, but an entirely new person!
Since the Fall of creation we (humanity) have been looking for meaning in all the wrong ways.
FREEDOM IN CHRIST 