The enemy wants to use you to repeat the negative experiences you had as a child, keeping you in a prison Jesus already freed you from.
These are the generational curses that get passed down if we aren’t diligent in breaking them.
I realize there are many ministries out there that speak on this but being a life coach in the church community, one who specializes in breaking free from old patterns and behaviors, I want to share with you the keys I’ve recognized, applied in my own life, and helped others gain freedom as well.
- Key #1: Forgive those who’ve hurt you — past, present, and continually.
I have seen the direct effect of people who’ve been badly hurt, abused, neglected, and end up with a hardened, bitter heart. From there, that bitter root becomes the poison that keeps them in a self-inflicted prison. That prison is filled with triggers that cause constant emotional responses, and without realizing it, they are mimicking the very same behavior they despised. The enemy is in this cycle. He wants you to stay a prisoner of your past, as well as use you to continue the cycle. If you are ready to break those chains, forgive, release, and invite Jesus into the past wounds of your heart for His deep healing touch.
- Key #2: Be a doer and OBEY!
James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
When we listen but don’t live out what we know in our hearts is right, deceiving ourselves and making excuses for our wrong, emotional responses (whether extreme outbursts of anger, emotionally abusive jabs, and everything in between) not only do we feed the cycle and keep it alive, but the enemy also has an in, and we’ve allowed it.
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
-Ephesians 4:26-27
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
-Galatians 5:24
- Key #3: Renew your mind through the Word.
Most people don’t even pay attention to those toxic, ungodly thoughts that are keeping them locked into cycles that are not just breaking them but breaking those around them. These negative thought patterns are the major driving force that needs intentional and aggressive intervention! These thought patterns that have a strong hold over us are called strongholds. They are areas where the enemy has held us captive in our minds through demonic forces, and they cannot be dismantled through humanistic tools. We do not wage war against these battles in the flesh; we use our weapons of warfare to cast down all the arguments that are set up against the knowledge of God!
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have the divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. — 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)
Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh so when we are taking our thoughts captive and getting them to obey Christ, we are renewing our mind with the Word. We have to demolish the strongholds that are convincing us to live with things the Bible says to get rid of and bring those contradictory thoughts to Him. These passages that direct us to “crucify” (Galatians 5:24-25) and to “cast out” are powerful and intentional; there is nothing casual in nature with what we are directed to do. Our response to wrong belief systems that have held us captive for too many years should be the same. We have to be intentional and aggressive, removing all thoughts from our minds that want to argue with God’s Word!
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
“Sober-minded” means steady, stable, clear-headed. If our head is not thinking healthy and clear, we give access to the enemy, and not only does he continually devour us, but he also uses us to hurt those we love.
In order to live out that new life Jesus paid for, breaking free in every area of our lives, we have to live with a renewed mind!
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:2 (NIV)
- Key #4: And lastly, GET ACCOUNTABILITY!
We need those truth-tellers, the iron that sharpens iron, in our lives that love us enough to call us out and help us connect. God has placed people in your life who truly love you and want to see you live free from what’s had you bound. Living defensively and shutting down the truth will only keep you a prisoner of your past.
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NLT)
Keep working through these keys. Keep releasing and going to Jesus with your hurt. Keep going after those thoughts that want to take you down and give room for the devil. Keep letting your guard down with safe people and show the devil his time of messing with you and your family is up!!!
