Getting out of Prison

Ending Destructive Habits, Addictions, and Bondages

Definition of “HABIT”

PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR THAT CAN BE BENEFICIAL OR

DESTRUCTIVE

IT IS LEARNED – AND BECOMES SPONTANEOUS

Definition of “ADDICTION”“The State of being

enslaved to a habit or practice to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma”

Random House Dictionary, 2010

Medical Definition

“The habitual psychological of physiological dependence on a substance or practice beyond one’s own voluntary control.”

Freedom

Is not the right to do what we want

But the power to do what we ought

2 Timothy 2:26That they will come to their senses and escape

from the trap of the devil, who has taken them

captive to do his will.

WE ALL ARE AT WAR - “But I see another law at

work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.”

Romans 7:23

God Limitless PowerNow unto him that is able to

keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy

Jude 24

Biblical Truth“When I come up against the Law I want to do good, but in practice I do evil.”

Will-Power Will NOT do itThe very weapons we use are not those of human warfare but powerful in God’s warfare for the destruction of the enemy’s strongholds.

2 Corinthians 10:5

Denial

Addictions are often denied

7 Weapons

First Weapon - Fasting“Is not this the kind of fasting I have

chosen: to loose the chains of injustice    and untie the cords of the yoke,to set the oppressed free    and break every yoke?”

Isaiah 58:6

1 John 1:9

“Would you bring to mind every door I opened”

Remember:

Not us – Reflective – Self-Conducted

Apply the Blood - Revelation 12:11

Holy Spirit’s LeadingReveals open doors

Ask, “Would You cleanse me?”

It comes to an end – “Then came quiet”

Reckon Yourself DeadColossians 1:1-6

Memorize – 6 verses

Personalize them

Visualize living in those verses

Testimony -Laying on a slab

Freedom never experienced before

Light-Hearted

Clean

#2 - Purpose in heart

Daniel declares “He would not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8)

Draw the Line

Do Not Compare yourself to others

“Others may, but I cannot”

Your walk is unique

#3 - Job 31:1

Make a Covenant with our eyes

I present myself to You (eyes)

Galatians 2:20 – I am Crucified with Christ

Romans 12:1-2 – I Offer myself…

What Opened Doors Remain?

Thoughts

Actions

Habits

4th - WeaponI give you that thought

Remember: Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the “Pure in Heart”

Do not be discouraged

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…”

Proverbs 24:16

The Best Defense is…

5th Weapon – Prayer targets

Pray for wife, or sons, or Pastor –

Anyone who might be victimized by the enemy

Pray for the object of distraction

Who flees from Whom?

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee

from you.

Come near to God and he will come near to you.

James 4:7-8

#6 - Weapon against past confessed sin remembered

Past sin – “keeps dragging me down”

When scenes come back – use them as a spring board to recall the

cross.

Remember: Defeated by the cross

2 or 3 times – before VICTORY

#7 - Build Accountability

Try another man (Best – our sons)

Samson – the Strongest man

Solomon – the Wisest man

David – the Most Spiritual man

If they fell to immorality, …

Accountability

Have you looked at, or listened to anything that might be displeasing to God?

Have you been completely honest with me?

Three Enemies

World

The Flesh

The Devil

3 Motivations to Stay in Battle

Honor Wife and Family

Fear of the Lord – Proverbs 15:6

Fellowship with God – Isaiah 59:2 Our sins have separated us

What can Spouse do?

Pray for men – husbands

Dress causes distraction - More skin showing than than covered

(2 Timothy 4:6 – “I have kept the faith”)

Meditate on Colossians 3:1-6

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.