Some may answer that question with "Well of course! I live in America, duh!" I am not speaking of freedom of speech or anything 'constitutional'. I am speaking of true freedom in Christ. Now others might answer "Yes, I know Christ as my savior so I have this same freedom." Okay, you are getting closer, but how many of you understand that with Christ comes authority? Jesus told us that He gave us the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions with out getting hurt (that was Patty's paraphrasing).
What are your scorpions? What are your snakes? What areas that you know you should be a victor in that you feel you are not conquering? Is it anger? Or maybe passivity? maybe you struggle with apathy? Or fear? What ever it is Jesus said He has made you MORE than a conqueror. You are victorious in Him. Here are some tools that might come in handy in the war zone. They are gifts given to us at the time of our spiritual birth, yet so many of us are either unaware of them or we know they are tools but are unsure as to how use them. Or what to use them for. I liken it to having given a tool box and either never opening it so you don't even know what is in there or opening it but never getting instructions on how to use what is in there. Therefore you grab a wrench to hammer in a nail. Although it might do the job, working under grace, it may not be the best tool to do the job and it doesn't always work well. Also it is VERY important for you to speak out loud, yes out loud, these things as the enemy cannot read your mind and he must know that you mean to evict him today. You must let him know that you are NOT his playground any longer. Also there is awesome power in the spoken word; I think we have all witnessed this before. How many times has praise from your mouth motivated your husband or child to do something that nothing else has? Or just the opposite how many times out of anger or frustration have you said something that you didn't really mean but now you cannot take it back and it takes time and work to make things right again? Well then, there is my point with the spoken word. Show the enemy you mean business and God too. What is spoken aloud is a commitment, what if we never "spoke" our wedding vows? How would anyone know that we really meant what we thought? Even your fiancé wouldn't be sure, would you if your fiancé only thought their vows on your wedding day? God wants to know your commitment to Him.
Here is the first tool
Repent - Ask God to forgive you of your sin of fear, anger, apathy, passivity, depression, etc. Did I say depression? Yes, I too have dealt with this and it was hard to understand how it was a sin. Well let me explain. It wasn't depression itself so much that was the sin as the fact I was allowing it (yes it is a spirit that was hovering and influencing me) to control my attitude and life. I asked God to forgive me for allowing the enemy in this area. Now before someone gets angry at me let me also explain that there can be physical causes of depression and you must ask the Lord to speak to you about whether you are struggling with this physically (hormonal imbalance or otherwise) or whether it is spiritual. Don't just take the easy way out however; if God is truly telling you that it is spiritual be willing to get into the fight. Remember that where you are weak God's strength is able to shine the most. Fighting a war is not fun to most people, but it is crucial to the Christian.
Your next tool is...
Rebuke - Tell the enemy (fear, depression, etc) that you have had it with him. Serve notice on him today. Let him know that you know the power that is within you is greater than he. Remind him that Jesus has given you all authority over the enemy and you will no longer let him play you like a set of chess pieces. Tell him he is through and send him to the foot of the cross to await his judgment. Do this by the power and authority that is invested in you by the blood of Christ Jesus your Lord and Savior!
Third tool...
Receive - This can be the toughest for some. Receive God's forgiveness. You have been forgiven and now you must forgive yourself to seal it.
Last but not least, infact I would say this one is extremely important...
Replace - Jesus spoke of the house that the 'bad guys' come in and wreak havoc then when made to leave come back to check on the house only to see it has not had anything to replace what was there and then they bring in 7 times what was there to begin with. Well, the enemy sometimes leaves and lets us alone without much fight because he knows if he just lays low for a while he can come back with 7 of his friends and make it more miserable for us than ever. All because we forgot to replace him. Now that your 'house' is cleaned up, replace that fear with love, power and a sound mind. Replace that apathy with a boldness to be not only an example but to speak the truth where ever you are. Replace depression with the Joy of the Lord till it overflows like a mighty river to everyone around. Replace passivity with a determination to accomplish what God has given to you to do and not to give up because it seems like it may be too difficult or others may oppose you.
Be blessed my sisters and brothers in the Lord. Put on the full armor of God. Take the gifts He has given you and take out the enemy. Take back the territory that the enemy has stolen and give it back to the Lord ten times fold! Hold the Lord's standard high and let the enemy know that you mean business and won't stand down!

Posted by gracesufficientforme

Did God tell u to write this one so i would find and read it!? lol WOW! This was a perfect word of truth for me. I want to live in THAT Freedom,.....the last few days i have been struggling with feeling very alone and unlovable......a form of depression really and i am aware that its a battle in my mind! I MUST take very thought captive and line in up to what GOD has to say! This blog has really challenged me this day,...Thank you my sister in Christ! A word in season!