Getting Free & Staying Free, Pt. 5

Replace the lies with the truth, get out of the familiar ruts, and create
some trenches of truth. Develop your mind's ability to react well.

Getting Free & Staying Free, Pt. 5

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

(John 8:32)

I re-read chapter 5 in Pastor Craig Groeschel's book, Winning the War in Your Mind, where he discusses the importance of writing out your truth declarations. I did what he suggested, and it was very liberating and powerful. I highly recommend you do the same.

Replace the lies with the truth, get out of the familiar ruts, and create some trenches of truth. Develop your mind's ability to react well. You can develop new neural pathways, but the ruts are not replaced easily. Give yourself patience and time; after all, you did not arrive where you are overnight. It has taken years for you to live in your current pattern of life. Everyone needs to replace the lies with truth. For some, you will need a therapist, a coach, a biblical counselor to help you walk through the hurts of the past, to forgive, and develop a new pattern of thinking.

Some of you are not free and you are in bondage to sin. Jesus can set you free. Worrying is a sin, not trusting God is a sin, and allowing yourself to be bullied by Satan and others is not a good way to live. You can be free from all of this, and Jesus is the only One who can bring about this freedom from sin.

I will close this week's devotions with my truth declarations and corresponding biblical texts that mean so much to me. I encourage you to do the same thing. I have found this to be most helpful.

Jesus loves me. I am His. He died for me and forgave all my sins. He arose and lives in me. I am going to heaven because of Jesus. (Romans 10:9)

I love my wife and will lay down my life for her. I will serve her every day because I love her. (Ephesians 5:25)

I love my kids, their spouses, and their children. They bring me much joy, and I bring them joy. (Proverbs 17:6)

I am a disciple-maker. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

I am called by God, gifted by God to teach His Word, encourage His people, and lead people to Jesus. (2 Timothy 4:5)

I love pastors, and God uses me to help and encourage them because I have been where they are. (2 Timothy 2:2)

I love equipping people to witness. That is one of my gifts and contributions to Jesus' Kingdom. (Ephesians 4:11)

I enjoy exercising and being in good shape. I am and will stay in good shape. I am a marathoner, golfer, and triathlete and will continue to pursue these things I enjoy. (1 Timothy 4:8)

I am kind; that is who I am. Mean people I cannot help. They do not bother me because I do not give them the power to bother me. (Romans 12:18)

I do not fall apart when bad things happen or bad news comes my way. God gets me through every single time. The LORD is my shepherd. (Psalm 23:1)

I am more than a conqueror through Jesus who loves me. (Romans 8:37)

What are your truth declarations? Write them out, say them out loud, and replace the lies with the truth. Jesus said in John 8:32, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."