Are you in need of freedom? Do you love the Lord but have one foot in the world allowing mixture in your life? It’s time to get off the fence. It’s time to live your life on fire for the Lord.
2020 was a rough year, but I am thankful that God opened my eyes to the sin that was allowing the enemy in my life and keeping me in bondage. When I was saved and born again I laid it all down for God. I couldn’t get enough of His word and I spent many days and hours praying. Though I loved God/Jesus I wasn’t walking in complete freedom and truth.
When my children had gotten a little older I had started to believe the lie that because I wasn’t going out to clubs/bars or hanging out with people like before I was saved, that drinking was ok as long as I was at home. Wine tastings were popping up everywhere. I saw many other Christians drinking. Christians who were in leadership roles who still seemed blessed. Instead of listening to my own convictions and what scripture says in the bible, I viewed the truth on how other believers were behaving.
It started off with just one glass in the evening here and there to relax. Then the habit of getting a bottle of wine after a really stressful day, or needing a break and wanting to shut down. Drinking at home in the evening led to every family party and occasional moms/girls night out. I thought I had control over it but it was a stronghold that I struggled to say no to.
I had gone through a few disappointing events and had become worn down by situations that felt hopeless. I was trying to just survive. I didn’t know it back then, but I was actually pushing God away (and the Holy Spirit) as well as giving the enemy ground in my life and in my household.
As my children became older they started to notice and make comments. I was in a cycle of often drinking to the point of not remembering the night, feeling shame, apologizing, saying I’m not drinking ever again, striving to be perfect and not sin, then believe the lie that I can be in control this time and do it again.
When the shut down happen in 2020 is when it was like God said “Is this what you want?” and just let me have my sin. I started off that week like I was on vacation and was drinking to relax and escape. That one week led to 3 months of drinking almost everyday. I gained 20 pounds and began a two year battle for freedom.
I went for deliverance and received prayer multiple times. I begged God to set me free. He showed me a lot but I kept believing that I was in control. I also thought that freedom would be instant, but it wasn’t. I had to fight. I had to resist the enemy. I had to worship. I needed a support group of friends to pray me through when the enemy was tempting me and throwing all sorts of junk at me.
It wasn’t until I grasped that Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy that I dug in and sought God for complete freedom. I had to break a few family and friend cycles, lay some things down and decide that I was going to be in the world but not live like the world.
If there’s something you are struggling with, I want to encourage you to fight for your freedom. Rid your life of anything that stands in the way of all God has for you. Don’t give the enemy any room. Repent. Push back. Get into agreement with His word.
God loves you. He has an amazing destiny planned for you. Bigger than you can probably imagine. But first there may be a few things you need to lay down.
John10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance.
Matthew 3:2 Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
Revelation 3:16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!
Matthew 7:13 You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad and its gate is wide for many who choose that way.