Written by Dr. Steve Wittmann | Print

Unchained & Under Cover - Lesson 01

by Dr. Steve Wittmann

 

Pathways to Bondage



Click Play in the video player window and follow along on the class notes below.



Pathways to Bondage

There’s a common belief that salvation in Christ means automatic freedom and spiritual protection, but that’s like saying gravy automatically appears any time you mash potatoes. There is an assumption that freedom and protection are automatically yours with no action required on your part – but that simply is not so. If you want gravy, you need to make gravy – if you want freedom, you must take steps to acquire freedom.

Freedom in Christ begins with a condition:

Joh 8:31 "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
Joh 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."


Who needs this course?

  • Every born again Christian in the Kingdom of God, however those with a calling to lead within the church are prime targets.
  • It's important you understand that pastors and leaders in the church are targets. Your calling will make you a target.
  • In war, officers remove their insignia because the enemy knows to pick off the leadership first.


Only two times in scripture are we told that Jesus was amazed.
  • Once by his family for having little faith
    • Mar 6:4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."
      Mar 6:5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. (emphasis added)
      Mar 6:6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
  • Once by a Roman Centurion for exceedingly great faith. Who are you going to be like?


There are three spirits that work together to try and prevent you from receiving the truth of God’s word.
  • One of those spirits is the spirit of unbelief – this spirit rebels against the Spirit of Truth.
  • The second spirit is the spirit of ignorance. This is the spirit at work in Hos 4:6
  • Finally is the spirit of apathy. This spirit tries to convince you that God’s word is not all that important anyway – that its meaningless and has no value so you should not be concerened with it.


We have brothers and sisters in Christ, who have received God’s gift of salvation but continue to live in bondage and oppression.
  • Satan cannot take away a believer's salvation
  • Satan will try and steal away seeds of truth before they can take root.


He will try and convince you this teaching is legalism or nothing but ritualistic recitations – that it has no power and no meaning. Satan does not want you keeping the truths you are about to receive.


Testimony of Bondage

Unclean spirits see humanity as a residence - a place to reside.

Mat 12:43 "Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it." Mat 12:44 "Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order."


What is a spiritual attack?

  • Personal spiritual attacks are generally soulish in nature, meaning they are focused on attacking the triune elements of the soul.
  • A spirit can descend upon you and envelope you
  • A spiritual attack can influence the way you interact with others
  • A spiritual attack opposes God’s will in your life
  • Your spirit can come under attack while your body sleeps
  • A spiritual attack reinforces and magnifies incorrect thinking
  • A spiritual attack can be a physical injury or even mental stress
  • Spiritual attacks often target friends, family, or extended family



Satan’s most effective weapon is division among the ranks of God’s people.

Mar 3:24 "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." Mar 3:25 "If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand."

Spiritual can attacks divide family members and divide members of the church

Pastors and church leaders are susceptible to specific types of spiritual attacks.
  • The Holy Spirit has appointed you as a leader in the church
  • Spiritual attacks rebel against God’s work in you and your appointment
  • Your title identifies you as a chosen leader in the church
  • Demanding the use of a title is pride corrupting the appointment
    • Beware of pride of position & title
    • Power over people, control, intimidation, & manipulation


Types of Spiritual Coverings & Protections

  • The presence of God’s Spirit within you and over you – you are a temple for the Holy Spirit
  • Legal protection through God’s law
  • Personal protection for your body, soul, and spirit
  • Protection by your governmental authority
  • Protection through intercession
  • Geographic protection – Proximity vs. Distance


Examples of Spiritual Protection

  • Job 1:10 – Hedge of Protection
  • Luke 18: 5-8 "I will give her legal protection,"
  • Anointing oil on your home, windows, and doors
  • Angelic Protection – Guardians


The Evil Spirit of the Lord

  • 1Sa 15:23 "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you…."
    • Joh 8:31 "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; Joh 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
    • Continuing in God's word is freedom - Rejecting God's word is bondage.
  • 1Sa 16:14 Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.
    • Rom 8:31 … If God is for us, who is against us?


The Danger of Exposure

      Acts 19:13 – "…the evil spirit…overpowered them…"


  • Act 19:13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches."

    Act 19:14 Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.

    Act 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"

    Act 19:16 And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.



Key Point Review
  1. Freedom is not automatic. If you want gravy — make gravy. If you want freedom — take the steps to acquire freedom.
  2. Pastors and leaders in the church are targets. Your calling will make you a target.
  3. The three spirits that oppose God’s truth in your life are unbelief, ignorance, and apathy.
  4. Satan cannot take away your salvation, but he will try to steal away your seeds of truth.
  5. A typical pathway to bondage is:
    1. A choice resulting in an open door
    2. A welcomed spirit establishing a foothold
    3. A foothold growing into a stronghold of incorrect thinking and oppression
  6. Personal spiritual attacks generally target:
    1. Emotions
    2. Intellect
    3. Will
    4. Physical Body
    5. Family & Friends
  7. Satan’s most effective tactic is division among God’s people.
  8. Rejecting God’s word exposes you to spiritual harassment and torture by unclean spirits.
  9. Continuing or abiding in God’s word protects you under the covering of His Spirit.
  10. Without the protection of God’s Spirit, unclean spirits will steal, kill, and destroy all they are able within your life.


Study Questions:

  1. Name the three dark spirits tasked with keeping God’s truth away from you and explain how each one works?
  2. Explain what a stronghold of incorrect thinking is and how it works to hold one captive - keeping one in bondage.
  3. List at least five types of spiritual protection as defined in this lesson.
  4. In 1Sa 16:14, Saul was free and then he was being tormented by an evil spirit of the LORD. Explain what happened to Saul and then explain how you will apply this lesson in your ministry.