Steps to Victory & Freedom – Part 2 of 2

Continued from last week . . .

Step 4: Rebellion vs. Submission

Step Four acknowledges our biblical responsibility to pray for and submit to those in authority over us. Being under authority is clearly an act of faith! By submitting, you are trusting God to work through His established lines of authority, even when they are harsh or tell us to do something we don’t want to do (note: instances involving abuse of authority are addressed in this step). This step guides us through the process of confessing and renouncing our rebellious attitudes and actions.

Step 5: Pride vs. Humility

Step Five deals with pride. The Bible teaches that pride is at the root of all sinful choices and is offensive to God. Pride says, “I don’t need God or anyone else’s help. I can handle it by myself.” Conversely, humility or “confidence properly placed in God” is one of the highest goals a believer can attain. This step helps identify areas of pride and leads the participant to renounce them and place their absolute dependence on God.

Step 6: Bondage vs. Freedom

Many believers are trapped in the discouraging cycle of “sin-confess-sin-confess” that never seems to end. Step Six exercises the principle of James 4:7 (”Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”) to break the destructive patterns and find freedom. As the sinful patterns are identified we “submit to God” by confession and repentance (turning away from sin) and “resist the devil” by rejecting his lies and walking in the truth. This step specifically deals with the use of our bodies as “instruments of unrighteousness” by helping to identify and renounce our sexual sins.

Step 7: Curses vs. Blessings

Step Seven involves renouncing strongholds we may have inherited and curses that may have been placed on us. Strongholds can be passed from one generation to the next if we do not renounce the sins of our ancestors and claim our new heritage in Christ. We are not guilty for the sins of our ancestors, but because of their sin, the evil one can exercise subtle (or overt) influence in our lives and families.