---

 

REMOVING EMOTIONAL BLOCKAGES THROUGH PERSONAL SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Click the play button to begin video lesson and follow along with the class notes below the video window. When you complete this video, click the "Lesson Assignment" button at the bottom of this page to open the lesson assignment.

Some roadblocks in the process of life transformation can be removed quite readily. Others are more stubbornly affixed, blocking the way for forward movement or growth. In order for this process to progress, blockages must first be identified, then the battle must be fought and the ground taken in order to begin to move forward again. In most cases the ministry will resemble a counseling or healing process more than a battle.

Certain traumatic experiences and the fears they generate keep individuals clinging to floatation devices in the shallower end of their lives so to speak. Often what they find themselves clinging to may be wreckage from their past, be it an imperfect or sinking floatation device. In this way our wounds become our identities, because they are the most pivotal and memorable experiential benchmarks in our lives.

This study is about is slowing down the treadmill of life and taking the time and energy to actually help people walk out of their darkness — Giving them a helping ministry hand up. You do not just abandon a car because it's gone into ditch. You call in a tow truck or a mechanic and get them back on the road and running again.

You do not have to be an ordained deliverance minister to cast our demons. The main qualification is that you are a believer: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;" —Mark 16:17 KJV

My wife and I had our first experience with deliverance prayer by accident many years ago in Iowa. We were ministering at a hospital nursing home through our local church. I shared a message. A very angry looking woman in a wheelchair glared at us the whole time I was speaking. After the message we visited and prayed with some of the patients and to my surprise, She asked for prayer. During the prayer she said she felt a warm sensation and immediately her countenance changed and she became joyful. At the same time my wife, who had been tempted to take a critical spirit for some other reasons became sullen and withdrawn. Later we discerned there had been a transference of spirits. We prayed and cleared that up. Later I asked my Pastor at that time specifically about the activity of demonic spirits. He brushed off my question as superfluous and unnecessary, but from that point onward, we began to see God repeatedly bring this type of ministry across our path.

Many avoid deliverance ministry because of all the hype and misunderstanding surrounding it. We must not allow that to discredit the real ministry and keep people from receiving genuine deliverance. We should openly encourage people to partake of this type on of ministry, allowing God to shed light on the areas of their lives that need deliverance. The good news is that this type of ministry is not just for professional clergy. It is commonplace and God wants us to realize it’s available to every believer both to minister and to receive such ministry. In Luke 10:17-20 we see "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" —KJV. In other words, the new birth is a greater miracle than deliverance. This type of ministry should be taken as normal and expected. Our delegated power over all the power of the enemy is part of our salvation. God through the Holy Spirit has given us the gifts and more than enough power to overcome devils by the authority of the Blood and Name of Jesus.

It is very important to know that demonic entities are legalists and they know their rights. In Ephesians Chapter 4:26-27 (KJV), Paul says: "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil." The greek work for place is "topos", elsewhere rendered "license", a word that has within its meaning: a "space marked off, an inhabited place, district”, and metaphorically meaning "the condition or station held by one in any company or assembly" and "opportunity, power, and occasion for acting". We certainly do not want to grant the devils a special marked off place in our lives! From this passage we can deduce that within the realm of the unseen spirit world there exists cause and effect and laws.

When sin patterns and wrong beliefs are allowed to become entrenched they open doors for heavier spiritual oppression. I do not say these things so that you might become fearful and but rather that you might gain insight and begin to close off your open "windows, doors, and passageways" that may be allowing these things into your life.

In many cases, spiritual oppression is emotional oppression that has calcified and petrified so that it has made an apartment of sorts for a more powerful and entrenched form of demonic oppression. What is vitally important in personal spiritual warfare is to realize that in most cases we are in the driver seat regarding the sourcing, cause and "licensing" of this type of dark oppression. Even if the oppression came from something that was done to us, we are still the ones who should be proactive in escorting that oppression from our lives.

Derek Prince comments about the importance of Getting to the Roots: "For such radical problems the gospel offers radical solutions, because the gospel itself is very radical… The literal meaning of radical comes from the Latin word radix which means “root.” Therefore, something radical is “that which goes to the root.” In that sense, the gospel is radical. It goes to the root of the problem. This is what John the Baptist said in describing the gospel in Matthew 3:10 "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire." This is a picture of how God intends for us to deal with our problems… It is not enough to chop off a few branches. The tree will go on standing and growing. Even if you chop off the trunk, the life will continue in it and little green shoots will appear. But if you cut the roots, you are finished with the tree.” In God’s plan, the ax is laid to the root of the problem."

Teaching concerning spiritual warfare and deliverance is becoming more and more commonplace in the Christian community. It is a truth that God is restoring to the body of Christ in the present day. We are learning that there is an invisible realm that must be dealt with spiritually and not just through the realm of medical science or psychology.

The following succinct teaching about deliverance and spiritual warfare is from the website GreatBibleStudy.com


THREE PARTS OF DELIVERANCE

The process of deliverance often consists of three main parts: Tearing down strongholds, removing legal rights and then casting out the remaining demons. If you try to cast out demons without taking away the strongholds or legal rights that they are holding onto, then you can't really expect to achieve a complete successful deliverance. Removing these two blockages is vital in going about a complete and successful deliverance.

TEARING DOWN STRONGHOLDS

A stronghold is a faulty thinking pattern based on lies and deception. Deception is one of the primary weapons of the devil, because it is the building blocks for a stronghold. What strongholds can do is cause us to think in ways which block us from God's best. Two very destructive and common strongholds are where you see God incorrectly, and where you see yourself incorrectly.

Strongholds are birthed and dwell in deception (which are lies and false beliefs), so naturally the cure is to bring the truth in God's Word on the scene. You debunk the lies of the enemy, with the truth, which is in the Word of God! The Bible says that our weapons are mighty for the tearing down of strongholds (2 Cor 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds."). What is our primary offensive weapon? "…The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Eph 6:17. Truth dispels deception and lies, and therefore the more truth you bring into a situation, the more the darkness must flee. This is where it's important to grow in God's Word, is because it is your primary weapon for tearing down the strongholds of deception that the enemy has been feeding you.

In John 8:31-36, Jesus tells us that we can be held in bondage due to strongholds in our lives. And His solution was to, "continue in my word... and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (v. 32-32) Strongholds are torn down as we meditate on God's Word, which is truth!


REMOVING LEGAL RIGHTS

What are legal rights? A legal right is something that can give demons an opportunity to enter or harass us, or gives them the right to remain in us even when we try to cast them out. Some of the most common legal rights that are faced when ministering deliverance are:

Sins (especially willful sins):

When we commit sin, it gives the enemy a legal right to affect or bother us in one way or another. The deeper the sin, the bigger the door that is opened to the devil. When a person allows unholy thoughts to enter their mind, it can open the door to a demon of lust, which eventually causes the person to commit adultery and the matter is compounded. It starts when the enemy tempts us to think the wrong thing, then when we accept it and make it a habit, it opens the door for the enemy to move in further, then behind the bad habit which can be formed, lies a demonic compulsion that isn't easily resisted. If the person continues down this path, he continues to open more doors to the enemy, and eventually that person finds himself committing adultery, rape, etc. because the feelings and desires the demons push on that person are irresistible. Once he commits those sins, mega doors are then opened, and the problem is like a snowball going down the hill. Sin opens the door to demons, which push us in the direction to more sins, which open us wider to more demons, etc.

The remedy? Repentance! Verbally confess and repent of your sins that have given the enemy legal rights in your life. If you recognize a particular sin or sins that has opened the door to the bondage you are seeking deliverance from, it helps to specifically repent of that sin. Any larger or gross sins you can remember are always good to repent of specifically.

1 John 1:9 tells us to confess our sins. If we don't confess our sins and instead we hide them from God, it leaves that sin remaining in our lives. We need to confess our sins in order to be forgiven.


Soul Ties

It is possible for two persons to share spiritual ties (like spiritual bridges that connect the two persons). Some of the most popular and destructive soul ties are formed during an adultery or fornication. 1 Corinthians 6:16 warns us not to have sexual relations with a prostitute because we become one flesh (flesh as in soul realm kind of flesh, not a physical flesh) with that person. This ungodly soul tie is like a rope between two persons that demons can use to their advantage to cross from one person to another. If that person had demons tormenting them, and you had sex with them, it unites the two persons, and therefore a soul tie is created, and the demons tormenting that person can also have rights to torment you. This does not apply to married couples, because there is no unhealthy soul tie created from sex within marriage. The Bible says that the marriage bed is un-defiled, and defilement is required to create an evil soul tie.

The remedy? Repentance, renunciation and breaking of soul ties! First, specifically repent of the sin which caused the soul tie to be formed in the first place. Then you can use your authority in Jesus to break and sever the unholy soul tie. Saying something like this should do the job, "I now renounce, break and sever all unholy soul ties created between myself and _____ through the act of adultery in Jesus' name!"

There can also be soul ties between yourself and another person, without any sexual relationship involved. Sexual relationships are one of the best ways to create a very strong soul tie, but it's not the only way. Other soul ties can be created through unhealthy relationships, such as being so close to a parent that you take their advice over God's advice. Again, repentance and the breaking of the soul ties in Jesus' name is the way to go about solving this problem.

Another thing that could hold back the breaking of a soul tie, is a physical object given to you from the other person, through a sinful relationship. If you were given a ring, or a love gift through an adulterous relationship, for example, then those gift(s) can hold the soul tie together. If the gift is valuable, and not necessarily bad in itself, then it's best to sell the gift. If the gift is demonic or unholy, then it's best to throw away the gift.


Demonic Vows

A demonic vow can be like a spiritual signature that the enemy uses as a legal right to gain access into our lives. Demonic vows can be made consciously or unconsciously. Often when a person joins a cult coven (a group of witches), they are required to make vows with the devil. Demonic vows can be made unconsciously just by dabbling with the occult. Just by getting curious about the occult and reading forbidden materials (including horoscopes) can give the enemy your spiritual signature; it tells the enemy know that your interested. Jesus warns us not to make any vows at all. The only vows I can see are practical and good are those made during a marriage ceremony.

The remedy? But if we have made vows that do not glorify God, then we should repent and renounce those vows verbally and seek God's forgiveness. Do this verbally; because vows are made verbally, breaking them is also done verbally.

Unforgiveness

When we don't forgive others, God won't forgive us. When God doesn't forgive us, it leaves our sins remaining, which can give the enemy legal rights into our lives. Read Matthew 18:23-35, and keep in mind that the tormenters they are referring to, are demons. The legal ground the enemy may be standing on to torment you may very well be rooted in unforgiveness! I've heard that the single most common reason that people aren't healed, is because they are holding unforgiveness in their hearts, and I believe it! Forgiveness is not an option; it's a necessity!

The remedy? Repent for holding bitterness in your heart against others, and make a solid choice to forgive those who have wronged you (also confirm your choice by verbally forgiving them), and release the bitterness and hurt from your heart against them.


Ancestral Sins

When you involve yourself in the deeper sins or the occult world, you not only open demonic doors in your own life, but also in the lives of your children and grandchildren (Exodus 20:5). If your ancestors have committed gross sins or been involved in the occult, then it's a good idea to confess those sins (to the best of your ability... God knows your heart), and ask Him for forgiveness (Leviticus 26:40-42). Even though you personally aren't guilty of those sins, they may have caused curses in your life, and those curses need to be broken. Common ways to tell if ancestral sins are involved is if your siblings or ancestors have experienced or are experiencing the same or similar problem that you are.

The remedy? The legal grounds have already been broken! If any spirits are remaining, they must be cast out.


Childhood Rejection

Much demonic bondage is caused during childhood. For example, if a parent shows rejection toward their child, a spirit of rejection may enter.

The remedy? If you have been rejected by either your parents or somebody else, you must make a solid choice to forgive that person(s), and release the hurt in your heart against them. The spirit of rejection is usually present in these situations, and should be renounced.


Points of Weakness

When the person experiences weakness, such as emotional shock, physical trauma, fearful experiences during childhood, and other areas to which the natural walls of defense in the physical, spiritual or emotional system of a person are weakened, it leaves us vulnerable for the enemy to attach himself to us. The same is true with drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and especially true with drugs, because they lower our defenses, and since demons thrive on weakness, they love to move right in and setup camp.

The remedy? If there was any bitterness involved (say somebody caused the traumatic experience for you, and you are still holding it against them), then you must forgive the person who hurt you, and repent for harboring bitterness in your heart against them. If the point of weakness was caused by your own sin, such as drinking or drugs, then confess and repent of that sin. If the demons entered solely through traumatic experience, and none of it was anybody's fault, then the demons are 100% trespassers in this situation, and need to be told to leave!


Spoken Self-Curses

The words we say have spiritual value, the Bible says to bless and not curse, and that the tongue has the power of life and death. If you walk around saying, "I wish I could just die," a demon may hear you and can go to God and say, "Look, she wants to die!" and here comes a spirit of death. There is a book titled, "Blessing or Curse: You can choose," by Derek Prince, which deals with this topic of curses in much detail.

The remedy? Take back what you spoke against yourself; renounce it! Repent for speaking such thing(s), and break the curse(s) in Jesus' name!


Cursed Objects

Physical objects can carry spiritual value, such as idols, occult books, rings, movies, charms, etc. If you brought any Indian or pagan religion artifacts into your home, you could be opening the door for demons to enter and bother the people within your home. Land can also become defiled by the sins of it's owners (Leviticus 18:27).

The remedy? Burn, destroy or get rid of any physical objects that you have located that could be cursed. Isaiah 2:18, "And the idols he shall utterly abolish." It is Biblical to burn cursed objects. Repent for bringing such objects into your home if you are responsible for them! Land can be cleansed by prayer and repenting of the sins of the previous owners.


Renounce Demons

Renounce any known demons that have been invited in (ex. spirit guides), and any interest or involvement in the occult or Satanism. Also renounce any demons that you know need to be cast out. This helps let the demons know that you are no longer interested in having them around.


Other Helpful Things to Look For

When did the bondage start? Try to pinpoint how the problem started and what gave the demons the ability to enter. Look for any involvement in the occult, sins, vows, traumatic experiences, etc. along with any unusual happenings emotionally, spiritually or mentally. ©GreatBibleStudy.com


WHEN WE NEED SOME HELP

I believe most Christians would say that they want to go deeper in their spirituality. But in the process of going deeper we invariably run into things that stand in the way and seem to block this from happening. When it comes to identifying our own stumbling blocks, our perspective is often not able to separate the forest from the trees. We keep running into brambles and fallen trees trunks that block and obscure our way. We are in dire need of some spiritual chain saws and work crews to move aside that which would impede our progress.

This is where deliverance ministers, counselors and pastors can be called upon to help facilitate the process. When the true spiritual roots, legal rights, and strongholds are dealt with first, casting out of the evil spirits is accomplished much more readily.

---

---

 

SPIRITUAL OPPRESSION

Click the play button to begin video lesson and follow along with the class notes below the video window. When you complete this video, click the "Lesson Assignment" button at the bottom of this page to open the lesson assignment.

In the following class, I am going to attempt to present the reality of the demonic realm, describing some of its effect among ordinary Christians and establishing a common need for Personal Spiritual Warfare.

In the nation of Israel, everyone has to serve a tour of duty in the military. Similarly, if you're a Christian believer, you've already been drafted into the army of God, because - you are already in a war. And as far as your personal transformation is concerned, the front line is located uncomfortably close to your home.


SPIRITUAL WARFARE – BIBLICAL BASIS

Derek Prince describes Spiritual warfare in the context of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (including the terminology of various translations) as follows:

• "(v3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, (v4) for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh…" (NASB).

Notice, Paul says we are living in the flesh, engaged in a war, but our war is not in the fleshly realm. Therefore, the weapons we use must correspond to the nature of the war. If the nature of the war were fleshly or physical, then we could use fleshly or physical weapons, such as tanks, bombs, or bullets. Because the war is in a spiritual realm, the weapons also must be spiritual.

• (v4) "…for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. (v5) We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…" (NASB).

Notice, our weapons are appropriate to the war, and we are dealing with fortresses or strong holds. The King James version reads:

• "(3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [fleshly or physical], but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…" (KJV).

It is tremendously important that we understand where the battle is taking place. Speaking of the battleground and our objectives, Paul uses various words: imaginations, reasonings, speculations, arguments, knowledge and thought. Notice that every one of those words refers to the realm of the mind. We absolutely must understand the battleground is in the realm of the mind. Satan is waging an all-out war to captivate the minds of the human race. He is building strongholds and fortresses in their minds and it is our responsibility, as God's representatives, to use our spiritual weapons to break down these strongholds, to liberate the minds of men and women, and then to bring them into captivity to the obedience of Christ; what a staggering assignment! Satan deliberately and systematically builds strongholds in people's minds. These strongholds and fortresses resist the truth of the gospel and the Word of God and prevent people from being able to receive the message of the gospel."

Whether you want to admit it or not, you have a very personal enemy who is invisible, utilizes germ warfare; and has access to your subconscious at the beta brain wave level, over which he broadcasts messages of deceit and false propaganda targeted directly at your spirit. Your unseen enemy fights dirty, with unrelenting campaigns of personal disinformation and harassment. Taken From Prince, Derek: “Spiritual Warfare.” Whitaker House. New Kensington PA, 1987. 29-31.


DEMONIC REALITIES IN A MODERN WORLD-VIEW

The subject of demonology is a very polarizing realm of theology. Many Christians choose to ignore or deny it while others consider it the all-encompassing explanation for any and every contingency in the Christian life. Willful ignorance of this realm can have far-reaching effects on your emotional, spiritual and physical health. The Bible teaches that we give Satan an advantage when we ignore him: “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11 — KJV. You have definite need for specific spiritual intelligence regarding your unseen enemy and the tactics he has targeted against you.

The rationalistic/scientific western worldview strongly emphasizes the five physical senses of sight, sound, taste, smell and touch. These five realms fall far short of explaining effects, causes, and manifestations of the unseen realm, which is actually more powerful and has definite and determinative effects in our outcomes. A great number of moderns and "post-Christians" have not had first-hand exposure or teaching as to the reality of this unseen or spirit realm.

Melody Green, whose late husband Keith established Last Days Ministries in Lindale Texas, tells of in incident that got their attention regarding the reality of the spirit realm. Meeting a friend as they were headed into a musical performance, Keith declared that he was “Checking out Jesus”. Their big, burly friend responded with a guttural growl, and then suddenly roared "I AM Jesus Christ!" This unsettling incident served as a wakeup call to Keith and Melody as to the reality of the demonic realm in their present day experience. What followed in their spiritual journey lead them to their Christian conversion.

I believe the Bible makes it clear that Blood-bought believers are not exempt from the effects of demonization or demonic oppression. The apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians about a realm of struggle that goes way beyond a purely materialistic paradigm: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" Ephesians 6:12 — KJV. Paul spoke to the Corinthian church about not being ignorant regarding the schemes of Satan: "…if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes" 2Co 2:10b-11 —NASB.


SPIRIT OF DEATH – TESTIMONY

Dr. Derek Prince gave this example of a Christian woman who was living in an entrenched state of demonic oppression in his study titled From Rejection to Acceptance:

"I remember the case of one lady in particular who lived in Florida. While I was visiting one evening in this lady’s home, I did something I rarely do. I just said point blank to her, “Sister, if I’m correct, you have the spirit of death in you.” I rarely make that kind of statement because it can lead to complications. But I took the risk of telling her because it was obvious she was in need of help. This woman had every reason to be happy, but was never happy. She had a good husband and children, but never had any joy. So I said to her, “I’m conducting a deliverance service on Friday night, and if you’ll come, I’ll pray for you.” On the appointed night, this lady came, and when I began the deliverance part of the service she was sitting in the front row. Again, I did something I don’t usually do. At a certain point in the service I walked up to her, and I said, “You spirit of death, in the name of Jesus, I command you to answer me. When did you enter this woman?” Then the spirit, not the woman, answered very clearly, “Oh, when she was two years old.” “How did you get in?” I asked. It said, “Oh, she felt rejected. She felt unwanted. She felt lonely.” I thought to myself: Isn’t that something... the presence of rejection even at the age of two? This incident really opened my understanding to an area of people’s problems because I discovered that rejection can begin even before a child is born…" —Prince, Derek. “From Rejection to Acceptance, part 1&2.”


ACCESS POINTS

This underscores the concept of access points that facilitate the entrance of demonic influence that later becomes chronic and entrenched. The pervasiveness, invasiveness and intimacy of offensive spirit war tactics are illustrated by the fact that this woman was accessed demonically at the age of two. With many, once the oppressive entity is present, a pattern of embedded falsehood, anxiety and nervous short-circuiting begins to be chronically manifested.


THE DEMONIC PHYSIOLOGICAL CONNECTION

It is correct and natural to respond with adrenalin, elevated heart rate, and endorphins when someone with a knife begins to chase you down a dark alley. But to have a continual fight or flight prompting because of a spirit of fear, hundreds if not thousands of times a day, will eventually wear down the glandular and nervous response systems. In the same way an electrical wire that is shorting out continually will, through the burning and unrestricted voltage, weaken and cease to conduct energy at its intended capacity. This can be compared to pulling the fire alarm continually at school. After awhile, the fire department stops responding.

As an example of a syndrome or disorder that can wear a person down, consider the following descriptions of obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD has worked its way into common nomenclature and is the brunt of many jokes but it is no laughing matter to the person who genuinely suffers from its effects.

• "Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry; by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety… These symptoms can be alienating and time-consuming, and often cause severe emotional and financial distress… Within and among individuals, the initial obsessions, or intrusive thoughts, vary in their clarity and vividness… People with OCD understand that their notions do not correspond with reality; however, they feel that they must act as though their notions are correct… Some OCD sufferers exhibit what is known as overvalued ideas. In such cases, the person with OCD will truly be uncertain whether the fears that cause them to perform their compulsions are irrational or not. When viewed through a spiritual paradigm many aspects of OCD’s affects and symptoms could be described as fear-based strongholds.” —“Obsessive–compulsive disorder.” OCD. Wikipedia

Dr. Henry Wright, Director and Founder of Be In Health Ministries, has written and taught extensively on the physiological ramifications of the demonic oppression upon the human body. This chronic wearing down of human immune systems, as well as glandular and nervous systems can manifest in illnesses such as lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. A repeating impulse that has no real basis in a genuine physical triggering mechanism creates a constant irritating stimulating of nerve endings. For many, the anecdote is increased dosages of painkilling medications that are often addictive and present many negative side effects as well. Following is a teaching of Dr. Wright's concerning dealing with stress and fear:

"The Bible says, in the last days, men's hearts shall fail them because of fear (Luke 21:26). Stress and fear directly affect the hypothalamus (gland), both immediately and long-term… We are designed with the ability for 'fight or flight'. The fight or flight ability is the alarm stage our body responds to when subjected to fear or stress. If the stress is not resolved, our body moves into the resistance stage. Physical symptoms begin to develop in this stage due to the long-term affects of fear, anxiety and stress. The symptoms can include pain. The hypothalamus responds to the continual influence of the fear or anxiety in the mind, which overloads the body's resources. Eventually, the body is depleted of its ability to repair and restore itself from the stress. If not resolved, this depletion develops into the exhaustion stage. The body is exhausted from attempting to repair itself and the mind is not sending thoughts to promote healing and restoration. God has created your body to heal itself. Your body is able to repair and renew itself on a regular basis, but it does not think for itself. It is designed to respond to the mind. Your body responds to your thoughts."


INNER HONESTY AND THE MIRROR OF THE WORD

We must come to the point where we are willing to face the challenges involved in dealing with these hindrances and blockages to victory and freedom in our Christian life. When we’re ready to do that the first step is the diagnosis or self-assessment required, both for the ministry of emotional healing as well as personal spiritual warfare.

In the physical realm we are sometimes required to submit ourselves to procedures that are uncomfortable and even invasive in order to examine what is going on inside our bodies. The healthcare system invests billions of dollars in sophisticated diagnostic imaging systems just to see what's under our skin. Similarly, we may have to endure some emotional pain in order to really understanding what is inside our hearts. Many will avoid anything that looks like a process of self-examination for fear of the pain that will be involved in the revealing and extraction of genuine internal honesty. But this process must be gone through to get past old struggles and bring forth the new things that God desires to do in your lives.

What if all potential mothers elected not to have children because of the pain of the birthing process? God wants to birth new things in you and the birthing process will include things that you perhaps would not choose to endure. When you’re holding the child of promise in your arms, you will forget what you went through in the birthing process.

In order to dissect and diagnose your own personal problems you will have to look at yourself. This can often be painful but there's no getting past it if you want to move on in your transformation process.

• "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his *natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” — James 1:23-25 NASB

The church has multiple ways to approach this ministry but you won't get past the next stumbling block in your road without two things: a desire to change and inner honesty. There must be willingness to self-evaluate in order to identify and eradicate personal stumbling blocks. Being willing to take a close look at yourself, your motives, your relationships, your past offenses and your fears is the major key to unlocking the freedom that God means for you to walk in and experience. We should be willing to allow the ministry of the Holy Spirit to uncover areas that need ministry - one at a time if necessary.

 

---

---

 

REMOVING EMOTIONAL BLOCKAGES THROUGH INNER HEALING

Click the play button to begin video lesson and follow along with the class notes below the video window. When you complete this video, click the "Lesson Assignment" button at the bottom of this page to open the lesson assignment.

The Psalmist David wrote:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any *hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." — Psalm 139:23-24 NASB

The literal Hebrew meaning for the word “hurtful” is “way of pain”, an apropos description of the lingering effects of not dealing with the roadblocks that have been strewn along the pathway of the experience of our lives.


INNER HEALING FROM EMOTIONAL OPPRESSION

When emotional oppression is present, inner healing is necessary to address and remove the blockage. Pastor Joe Warner of Freedom Christian Fellowship in Apopka, Florida describes the realm of inner healing as follows:

"At the moment of salvation, Christ takes residence in our heart (spirit). He indwells our spirit and life forever changes. From that moment on, we are empowered to experience great measures of peace, joy, love, and fulfillment. Because of the indwelling presence of Christ, the conflict is no longer on the plane of our spirit, but within our soul and body. It is in these areas of our being that Satan wages his daily battle with us. As a result of this conflict, most of us suffer damage to our soul and body that restricts our ability to enjoy this great relationship. Therefore, we need the healing touch of Christ in our soul and body in order to be free to know Christ as we ought. This type of healing is referred to as Inner Healing, Healing of Memories or Healing of Damaged Emotions… When a person's soul has been restored, it often brings about a release within their lives that enables them to properly relate to God and others."


FULLY ESTABLISHED IN THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST

An essential element before beginning this process is to become fully established in the finished work of Christ in your life. Do not misinterpret this process to be an exercise in self-denunciation and self-condemnation. Rather, it is an process of carefully discerning your life, locating your point in the transformation process, finding out what's hampering you, and using the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the power of God to reveal those hindrances, get them out of the way, and move on to real freedom. "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed" — John 8:35 NASB.

Again, it is vitally important that this sifting, analyzing and judging of the thoughts and purposes of the heart is done from an absolutely safe vantage point. 1 John 4:16 states it succinctly: “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us.” — NASB. We must be firmly planted and established upon the promise and assurance of the stable and unchanging love of God and our eternal inclusion in the family of God.

Loving parents, for example, bring instruction, gentle reproof, and, if needed, firm rebuke to their children. The child knows that, though this process is difficult, they will still be included in the family, and it is out of sincere concern and genuine love that the strong corrective action is taken.

We need to be secure enough in our relationship with God to allow Him to touch sensitive areas. My daughter came into the world four and a half months early weighing only 1 pound and 9 ounces. During her 3-month stay in the neonatal intensive care ward she endured an incision on the bottom of her foot every day in order to measure the oxygen level in her blood. To this day, she is very sensitive about anyone handling the bottom of her foot. However, she knew her mother would never try to intentionally hurt her foot, although it might have been necessary for her to endure some pain in order to remove the foreign object such as a thorn from the soul of her foot. In the same way we must be secure in the Holy Spirit’s good intentions as we remove painful foreign objects from our lives.


AN ESSENTIAL PART OF GROWING UP IN CHRIST

We must remember that this process is not just for the one who would chose it as an optional upgrade in the Christian life. We are commanded to be transformed, by the renewing of our minds, that we would prove the perfect and acceptable will of God in our individual lives. We have an obligation to our loved ones, to ourselves, and to God to go through with this process.

The writer of the book of Hebrews makes a declaration of the intricate discerning quality of the Word of God: “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [a]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart." — Hebrews 4:12 AMP

We must discern ourselves through the lens of the word of God. Two scriptures previously mentioned above (James 1:23-25 and Hebrews 4:12), are foundational texts for a biblical basis for self-assessment in personal transformation. If we are willing to submit ourselves to the loving guidance of the Holy Spirit of God, through the Word of God, He is able to guide us gently into and through these difficult things.


HEALING FROM SELF LOATHING

Emotional oppression in our lives source both from the things that were done to us by others and the things we have done to ourselves. In a very practical sense, though, we are responsible to deal with the wreckage, no matter who or what the source was. Many times the bondages have sourced from self-hatred as this testimony from the MacNutt’s Christian Healing Ministry reflects:

"For years I have been carrying the hurtful words, actions, rejection and pain I have received from others. I had, time and time again, forgiven them. During my prayer appointment it was revealed to me that I had never released the unforgiveness, hate and anger I had with myself! I actually hated myself! Thank you for sharing your love with me, Christ’s love for me, and for helping me to love myself again".


THEOPHOSTIC PRAYER MINISTRY

A Baptist minister named Ed Smith developed another method of ministry. Theophostic Prayer Ministry is a way to actively and systematically address the healing of memories to many within the church. Its name comes from the Greek theo (God) and phostic (light). The first three tenants of their 14-part ministry definition are insightful in describing the priority of dealing with root memories for inner healing:

1. Our present situation is rarely the cause of our ongoing emotional pain.
2. Everything we presently know, feel or are mentally aware of has its roots in a first-time experience.
3. If we try to resolve our present conflicts without resolving our historical lie-based woundedness, we will find only temporary 
relief for our emotional pain. However, if we find renewal for our past, we can redeem our present.

REDEEMING YOUR PAST

Dr. Ray Self puts it well in his book Redeeming Your Past and Finding Your Promised Land:

"Redeeming your past is about finding the truth from your past and resolving the issues that are remain as stumbling blocks for your present time as well as your future... To ignore the issues, lessons, and messages of the past is equivalent to ignoring life itself. Our memories contain treasures as well as pain. Our memories contain information, knowledge and wisdom. The apostle Paul wrote that renewing our mind will transform us. The renewing of our mind always has to do with our past because our mind only contains memories of the past. Our mind has not yet been impacted by our future."

The bible also tells us to discern ourselves:

"For if we searchingly examined ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by the divine judgment]. — 1 Corinthians 11:31 AMP.


HEALING OF BROKEN HEARTS

Francis and Judith MacNutt's Christian Healing Ministries in Jacksonville, Florida is dedicated to praying with those in need of healing in the physical, emotional and spiritual areas of their lives principally through 90-minute prayer appointments. Following is Francis MacNutt’s description of Inner Healing in an interview entitled “Healing Sex Bondage”:

“Inner healing is simply, as I see it, God healing a human being, a person on any area where they’re sick. That's why he came… to renew us and give us new life to the different areas of our humanity that can be really wounded or die… one of them of course we know… our bodies get sick and they whither up and die. There can be demonic interference on occasion. That needs to be dealt with. But inner healing is simply the area of our emotions and what’s inside us… not just to have a broken bone, but to have a broken heart. And so it makes sense, if you’re talking about healing human beings, that this is that particular area of humanity where many people are really wounded. And we find, in experience, that God actually heals more people on the inner order - percentage wise - than He seems to heal on the physical order. And, just for instance, a large percentage of women in our society are sexually abused. The lowest estimate of young women is twenty percent. And that leaves permanent imprints and you don't get over it by repentance. I mean, it was somebody else that did this to you. And so, here’s a forty-year-old woman who can't relate physically with her husband. It's not her fault. But is there healing for this? We've discovered every area of our human lives where we’re wounded or being destroyed God has the power to do something about it and to help us.”


INNER HEALING FURTHER DEFINED

The following excerpts are from the book: Inner Healing: A Handbook for Helping Yourself and Others By Mike T. Flynn, Douglas H. Gregg:

“Emotional healing takes place when we take specific sins, sin patterns and emotional sickness to the cross. Paul helps us see this process of healing and sanctification when he admonishes: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" Phil 2:12- 13 RSV.”

“The four factors are past hurts, fears, guilts, and lacks, in various combinations. The four results are negative effects on present self-image, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors.”

“Inner healing is an exchange, usually a process more than an event, healing of memories, the application of forgiveness, a means of grace, and a set of dynamics and procedures the Lord Jesus uses to address the emotional damage in our lives.”

“The Bible gives us assurance that God is interested in healing our emotions. …God desires our healing. God knows what is hidden in darkness (Psa 139:11-12, Dan 2:22); and what comes out of the human heart and soul (Mar 7:21–23). His desire is to "wipe away the tears from our faces," to "remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth" Isaiah 25:8. He sent Jesus to "bind up the brokenhearted" (Isa 61:1, Luk 4:18). As one "familiar with suffering," Jesus "took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows" Isa 53:3–4. He gave his life as a ransom for us that we might be whole and at one with the father. When we seek the Lord, the promise is that He will deliver us from all our fears Psa 34:4.

He gave his life as a ransom for us that we might be whole and at one with the father. When we seek the Lord, the promise is that He will deliver us from all our fears Psa 34:4.


CELEBRATE RECOVERY

Because of different forms or emotional scarring and confusion, many people seem to be driven in their lives by a relentless determination to "make something of themselves". This is how John Baker described his life as a young man (and a believing Christian):

"…Deep down inside I never felt good enough for my parents, my teammates, my girlfriends or anyone. So if I wasn’t good enough for them, how could I ever be good enough to serve God? I was a walking and talking paradox: A combination of the lowest possible self-esteem, which I tried to cover up with the world’s largest ego. I wrestled with God’s call and judged myself “unworthy” to enter the ministry."

Eventually, in college, John's pain led him into the abuse of alcohol, which was the only time he felt like he "fit in". After serving as a pilot during the Viet Nam War John transferred his overwhelming drive into the business realm:

"…I was promoted 8 times in the first 11 years of my business career. I was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for two very large consumer food manufacturers. I had reached all my life’s career goals by the time I was 30! I remember hearing the words of a song, “Is that all there is?”

Eventually John found his way to AA and began to conquer his addiction. John's life experience developed into the program Celebrate Recovery that has been utilized in over 10,000 churches with over 500,000 courageous individuals having completed the program.


HEALTHY INTROSPECTION

Many have developed blinders to keep from perceiving themselves, having absolutely no intention of engaging in thoughtful introspection. Its not hard, for instance, to find frustrated wives who have reached the end of their patience in dealing with their 200 pound man-child, otherwise referred to as a husband, who isn’t the least bit interested in maturing in his personhood in order to enhance their marital relationship. This type stubbornness is in reality a very dangerous form of pride and selfishness.

God's Word, when viewed with an open spirit and a willingness to sincerely view your own reflection though that mirror, has the promise of speaking to us about where God would like to go and what He would like to do day by day in our personal transformation. God’s Word has the capacity to reveal ourselves to ourselves, thereby providing the keys that can set us free.

Inner Healing is a difficult if not impossible task for most people to accomplish all by themselves. It is critically important to take advantage of pastors, Christian counselors, and deliverance and inner-healing ministers to help you through this process of self-evaluation and healing.

 

---

---

 

EMOTIONAL OPPRESSION — The Reality and Nature of Emotional Transformation Blockages

Click the play button to begin video lesson and follow along with the class notes below the video window. When you complete this video, click the "Lesson Assignment" button at the bottom of this page to open the lesson assignment.

AUTO RESPONSE SYSTEMS

For many of us, the vehicle of our life has been stalled or stuck because of road blocks constructed out of sin, offenses, abuses and oppression. Many of these blockages have been buried long ago and become part of an automatic emotional response system. As you emote and encounter conflicts from these broken areas you can become very confusing to those who are close to you. As this type of response system continues, dysfunction as a coping process becomes embedded and established in your relational spheres.

Have you ever had an interaction where you found yourself thinking afterwards "Where did that come from?" I remember one such discussion with my dad. Some friends of mine had some chickens with a strange habit. When the chickens finished eating their grain, they started attacking each other. I asked my dad, who had run his own chicken hatchery about this; I also passed along the diagnostic opinion of their neighbor as well. Without warning, my father exploded "Are you going to believe that bum or someone who has a bachelors degree in animal husbandry"? I went away stunned. I thought Dad would be happy to discuss a farm topic but somehow in the mix I had stepped on a trip wire that had been set a long time before. I can only guess that when I crossed this wire it sent the message to my dad that his qualified opinion was deficient and to be passed over in preference to a home remedy. This is an example of the ghosts that rise up out of the past when people vent their anger and frustration on whoever is handy and happens to be in a less powerful position at the present time.

People are often reacting out of old wounds that are still just as tender as fresh open sores. In the body of Christ, God never intended for us to keep those wounds forever. He's provided ways to bring healing in order to begin forward motion again.


EMOTIONAL LOAD BEARING

If we were to consider an individual life as a perpetually accumulating entity, as that life goes on, more critical mass is added to the tonnage of their human experience. Although the weight of the actual person may be only 140 pounds, the critical mass of their experience continues to accumulate as more “emotional tonnage”. As this develops, the physics of motion is added to the equation and the life heads off in a certain direction. In many lives a momentum is established that is difficult to steer and impossible to slow down. They can then reach a point where they are no longer under control and the perpetual momentum of their experience is causing them to veer dangerously close to reckless life situations. They have no idea how to get themselves under control. In the meantime, they are clipping and in some cases, running down many innocent bystanders within their life sphere.


STASIS AND COPING SYSTEMS

For many there is a significant problem of stasis, or “grinding to a halt" in the transformation process. The definition of stasis in this sense is "stoppage" or a constricting blockage in the process. Opposing forces have inserted themselves like a strong contrary current or buffeting wind to come against and bring to a complete halt, any further progress. Many sincere, well-intentioned Christians find themselves stalling in their growth process. This happens because of both old and new stumbling blocks that are scattered like a minefield along their path. In some lives the pathways are totally barred with blocks that are connected with old wounds, offenses and past mistakes that hinder their transformation. In others, the stumbling blocks seem to be stacked up into formidable walls that have created an impenetrable bulwark.

Though they desire spiritual growth, they find themselves confounded and are eventually worn out and brought to a complete stop from the struggle. Some have negotiated a compromise of sorts, making certain concessions in order to settle for living wherever they have stopped. Homesteading at this point along their pathway seems more attainable than struggling to go any further.

Others think they are able to control most of the situations in their life. They keep up appearances and continue to function, reining in circumstances, people, and problem areas so their lives seem to stay in control for a season. But the only person they really have the legal authority to control at that level, long term, is themselves. Eventually these interpersonal manipulations begin to falter and things begin to become unmanageable again.

Others may just cope as well as they can and live in a perpetual state of frustration, agitation and fear. The self-deluding human mind is very ingenious in developing integrated coping systems to function in a compromised state while convincing itself that all is normal and satisfactory. This is the reality and synthesis of real life dysfunction that will eventually bear fruit after its own kind, bringing things to a state of crisis.


SUBTLE FORMS OF OPPRESSION

We have all been the victim of (or even unwittingly participated in) some of the emotional manipulation techniques listed below:

Being ignored, marginalized and then demonized. Not being noticed. Being placed into a lesser relational priority (working one person against another). Subtle withdrawal of attention; Not receiving a response to a question. Undermining (pulling the rug out from) authority that was earlier clearly given. Keeping people guessing about where they stand. Nonverbal messages of impatience or annoyance because time is being wasted. Exaggerated body language. Subtle or outright coldness. Aloofness. Brushed off questioning about "Is anything wrong?" Keeping people off balance. Limiting access. Mild irritability. Outbursts of anger and rage. Physical abuse which has accompanying emotional impact. Ramping up to tyrannical emotional oppressions: "You have displeased me". This type of thing is especially felt in very close relationships such as parenthood or marriage.

Are we supposed to be so hyper-sensitive as to have our toes stepped on by any and every communication? No. On the other hand, how common is it for people to employ this type of communication in a spirit of manipulation, leveraging guilt in order to gain dominance and power? I would say it's fairly common and we probably all do some of this ourselves without realizing it. What is Christianity and the Bible's answer to this type of thing?


OUR EMOTIONAL CAPACITY IS FROM GOD

Humans, made in the image of God, feel. Emotions are a powerful and wonderful gift, given to us by God. As such, they can also be manipulated and attacked by the enemy of our souls. Emotions give us the capacity to interact with our world and the people in our world. They can be damaged and feel pain. The answer to emotional pain is not to shut down our emotional capacity. However, that is exactly what many people do. Emotions cause us to react, take action or move.


CHRISTIAN PSYCHOLOGY

As we delve deeper into these things in greater detail I will be utilizing some psychological terminology and concepts. Is this teaching of emotional and relational abuse in the Christian context just modern psychology with a theological whitewash? I do not believe so. I genuinely have no desire or intention to add to the message or to complicate the ministry of the gospel.

I have concluded that within the mental and emotional sciences of psychology are disciplines and diagnostic tools we can thoughtfully and carefully use. They help us to uncover and define specific emotional conditions and anomalies in order to identify and bring understanding within a realm that can be very perplexing. There is a vast difference between the beliefs, and practices of Christian psychology versus atheistic psychology. Any usage of psychological terminology in this paper is respectfully submitted to the biblical texts as the true plumb line of reality and the church as the pillar and foundation of the truth.


ROOT CAUSES

As an example of root causes in the physical realm, consider the condition that is referred to as acid reflux disease*. One doctor might diagnose it as its own root condition in and of itself with no external cause outside of itself. Attempting to neutralize it with chalky liquids or pills can counter the acidic symptoms, or, more sophisticated medications may be used. Another doctor will maintain that acid reflux is a symptom of an acidic imbalance in the stomach and the guttural imbalance has another cause such as a highly acidic diet or extreme anxiety.

Judith MacNutt, Executive Director of Christian Healing Ministries in Jacksonville Florida explains in her archived radio broadcast about The Role of Emotions & Grief in Depression*, that depression is often a response to external stimuli such as abuse or injustice. In this context, depression is a symptom that has a root cause. This does not diminish or ignore individual cases that deal with biological causes of depression such as brain chemistry imbalances in serotonin levels.


MY INMOST BEING

"In the classic passage describing God's utmost care in creating us, Psalm 139, emotionality is the one aspect of our inner personality specifically referenced. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother‟s womb” (Psalm 139:13,). “Inmost being” is kidneys. In Psalm 73:21 and Proverbs 23:16 the kidneys are the place of sorrow and rejoicing, respectively. In Old Testament thinking, the kidneys prompt or urge to action by aroused emotions. Hans Wolff notes that the Semitic languages used terms for kidneys, reins, stomach, bowels, and womb to describe the feeling states (Wolff, Anthropology of the Old Testament, pp. 62-63). As we literally experience and feel an emotion in our physical being, so we feel an emotion in our psychological being. That‟s why we say things like, “I have butterflies in my stomach.” God created your inmost being, your kidneys, your emotions. Your emotions are fearfully and wonderfully made—by God." *Excerpt from the Book "Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction" by Robert W. Kellemen, Ph.D.


REPENTANCE - TURNING

The Greek meaning of the biblical word “repent” is to turn 180 degrees and go away from who you were or what you were doing that could be deemed as "ungodly", and head in the opposite direction, toward genuine godliness. I believe the turning process of repentance in the Christian life is a much more long term and involved than is commonly presumed. In most instances the Kingdom of Heaven is established in a person's life - line upon line, precept upon precept, revelation upon progressive revelation. In many lives the mass and velocity of certain aspects of their personhood will take a concerted effort to redirect on a new course toward a genuinely godly and righteous orientation.

To turn a scooter on a dime is one thing. To turn a ship with the mass to displace thousands of tons of water is a completely different matter. The steering and turning of our lives are much more to be compared with a ship than a scooter. This turning is certainly not done through merely human effort but by the indwelling power and work of the Holy Spirit for those who are in Christ.


PRIVILEGES OF BIRTH

A few very fortunate people are actually born into a safe, healthy, nurturing environment; raised by loving, well-adjusted parents who seem to position their beloved child for unfettered success. I, however, find people like this to be extremely rare. Most are raised by a parent or parents who were imperfect themselves, as their parents before them, and had their own issues, wounds and struggles to deal with and get through.

From time to time in the church you have the opportunity to see someone who, almost overnight, has broken free of the past and seemingly become a completely different person. Where there was crime, addiction, and conflict, now there is love, happiness, discipline and healthy structure. But this kind of instant transformation is not the norm in my observation. Rather, I have noticed that Christian transformation as an extended, even life-long process.


THE REALITY AND NATURE OF EMOTIONAL BLOCKAGES

When these emotionally wounded thinking patterns become embedded they are not a memory that is erased, but a memory that is a sort of permanent circuitry. Have you ever known a person who you are familiar enough with them to know that if you give them a certain piece of information, they will respond in defensiveness or paranoia and a backlash of some sort will develop? That person has a root or scheme that has been allowed - sometimes because of self indulgence, some times because of hard experiences or mistreatment - to become an embedded response pattern. In that case our aim should be to learn to identify the scheme and encounter it with God's truth and gifts in order to neutralize and defeat it. But the steering wheel for that process is ultimately in their hands.


PRIVILEGES OF THE CHURCH

In order to see their lives change through individual repentance, those in the church are granted full access to the insights, ministry, and power of the Holy Spirit. This includes a full compliment of the spiritual gifts listed in Romans Chapter 12, 1 Corinthians Chapter 12 and Ephesians Chapter 4. They are referred to as "gifts" for good reason. They are special, exceptional, extravagant, and freely provided by the Holy Spirit to give us a boost and a head start as diagnostic and implementing tools in our life-change process. We are not left without extreme privileges and advantages as true New Testament believers.

How do we fully escape the corruption that is in the world and participate in the divine nature? Dynamic life changes through a genuine process of real repentance are fully intended as a natural course of events in the new birth spoken of in the New Testament scriptures. The promise of the word of God is that we have everything we need at our disposal to live a godly life:

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” —2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

---