Today we are going to look at how we can continue to walk in the freedom we have received through Jesus Christ. Both deliverance and discipleship are needed because freedom is a journey that starts with deliverance. Discipleship is a process to be walked out with a mentor and an accountability and prayer partner.
Spend time with the Lord daily in His Word, in prayer and praise and worship to Him. His Word will keep you on the right road and is for your good. Find scriptures that specifically address your issues: e.g. if you were delivered from a spirit of fear, meditate on how God hasn’t given you a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7) and Scriptures about the peace of God; if delivered from a spirit of lust, meditate on the holiness and purity of God; spirit of rejection, meditate on the love and acceptance of God; spirit of infirmity, rebuke the symptoms instead of accepting them; etc. (https://jenniferleclaire.org/articles/walk-out-your-deliverance-from-demons/)
The battle begins in the mind. The Bible tells us to replace thoughts that are against God and exchange it for His truth –by renewing our mind and to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5; Philippians 4:8; 2 Timothy 1:7).
Guard against evil in what you see, hear and say i.e. change that TV or radio station or the people you hang around (Matthew 6:22; Psalm 101:3; Philippians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 21:23; Psalm 141:3). Put His Word first in your life! This is where the faith to live the abundant life comes from. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Christ) – Romans 10:17.
Benny Hinn shares that praise is where God is (Psalm 22:3); gives us access to heaven Psalm 100:4); changes our condition and the atmosphere around us (Isaiah 61:3); it brings deliverance (Psalm 50:23); protects (Psalm 59:17; 2 Chronicles 20:22) and preserves (Psalm 71:6-8)!
The power to walk victoriously comes from the Holy Spirit and we can experience the Holy Spirit’s power today through the Baptism with the Holy Spirit then by being filled moment by moment as we yield to Him (Acts 1: 4, 5, 8; 2:1-4). Without His power we will fail and fall back into bondage. We know this because the Bible tells us that where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17), so only the Spirit sets people free and empowers them to walk in freedom. With the Holy Spirit, we have the power to fight sin effectively because He strengthens our inner man (Ephesians 3:16).
Just like all the other blessings of God, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is received by faith through the the laying on of hands or asking in prayer. The evidence is speaking in tongues (a heavenly prayer language), the power to live victoriously, and boldness to witness and minister for Christ. 1 Corinthians 14:2-4 explains that when we speak in tongues, we’re not speaking to men but to God however, in the spirit we are speaking mysteries. Speaking in tongues edifies or builds us up and refreshes us (1 Corinthians 14:4; Isaiah 28:11, 12).
It is nothing to be fearful of. We simply need to trust Jesus. He is the one who is doing the Baptizing with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Mark1:8). We allow the Holy Spirit to speak or pray through our spirit as we will and as He gives us utterance. He doesn’t just take over. Don’t allow the enemy to bring fear into your life to keep you from experiencing this wonderful gift (Luke 11:9 – 13)!
If you would like to receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, you can have a Pastor or ministry leader pray for you and lay hands on you or you can pray this prayer out loud yourself (Luke 11:13):
Lord Jesus,
I ask you to Baptize me with the Holy Spirit. I fully expect to receive by faith power from on high, and to speak with other tongues, as the Holy Spirit gives me utterance. Thank you for pouring out the Holy Spirit upon me and immersing me in Him.
In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Now, begin to praise and worship and when the Holy Spirit brings words and syllables to you, then speak them forth. They will be in a heavenly language! God will not force you to speak but you do need to open your mouth and use your own voice. Continue using this blessing God has given you and pray in the spirit every day! (Copeland, “Faith Series”) Praying in the Spirit is part of the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:18).
We live by the Spirit because the life we have in Christ is only by the work of God’s Spirit and by His grace. We are in the Spirit because the Spirit of God dwells in us and gives us life (Romans 8:9, 10). The new birth is the beginning of our life with the Holy Spirit. We have been given a new heart and spirit (Ezekiel 36:26, 27; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
If we live in the Spirit, we should also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). Walking in the Spirit pleases God (Romans 8:8) and it is the Spirit of God that enables us to be victorious over the desires of our flesh.
Our flesh is the old human nature that does not desire or value the things of God and prefers to do things independently of God and gets its pleasure from power and the things of the world (Galatians 5:19-21). The flesh and the Spirit are contrary and opposite to one another. Giving in to the desires of the flesh is the opposite of walking in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-17). We are to crucify our flesh.
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24 (NKJV)
To be led by the Spirit means to cooperate with Him and to follow His initiative and enablement. The Holy Spirit gives us desires for God’s will and ways and to obey Him. We are to put off the old man and put on the new man who is in Christ (Ephesians 4:17-24; Romans 13:14).
Remember what a great love He has for us and that He desires an intimate relationship with us. His desire is for us to walk in the freedom He came to give us and to have life more abundantly!
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37 (NKJV)
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV)
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)
Remember, the key to lasting victory is to submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7). Walk out your freedom daily by staying in fellowship with other believers, keep in the Word and listen to teachings that reinforce your freedom, walk in the Spirit and praise and pray without ceasing! Whom the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36).
For more information about walking in the Spirit refer to: https://alexiscarucci.com/2019/04/15/the-spirit-led-life-and-walking-in-the-spirit/
Jesus is Our Deliverer and Our Righteousness. Let freedom ring!
References
Copeland, Kenneth. (1982). Faith Series: A Study Guide. Fort Worth, Texas: Kenneth Copeland Publications
Morris, Robert. (2011). The God I Never Knew: How Real Friendship with the Holy Spirit Can Change Your Life. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Waterbrook Press.
Morris, Robert. (2015) Truly Free: Breaking the Snares that so Easily Entangle us. Nashville, Tennessee: W. Publishing Group
Living the Abundant Life 