è Review: Progression of bondage …. Genesis 3

è SHAME: Retreat, Isolate, Run and Repeat

• The absence of INTIMACY (rejection). We run from the ONE who loves us and is pursuing us. (We substitute performance for intimacy.)

• The deceit: We run from the ONE pursuing us (we have the wrong assumptions: He’s angry, He’s vengeful; He left!)

• We need revelation of GRACE – How He sees us

• Truth: He is eternal; omnipresent; He saw it all before you did and still loves you completely and chose you as His own.

• Hebrews 10:16, 17; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21; Ephesians 1:3-5; Romans 8:1; Romans 5:17

• Truth: HE BORE OUR SHAME! (Stripped; spat on; accused; cursed)

• Romans 10:11; Hebrews 12:1, 2 …. He refused to let shame define Him or stop Him!

• So how do I walk free from shame’s hold?

• Revelation of Jesus and the Cross: You were represented

• Revelation and obedient practice of RENOUNCEMENT: 2 Corinthians 4:2 (We must remind ourselves and even the enemy that we are forgiven and He sees our sin no more! Tell yourself the truth!

• Renovation of the mind …. James 1:21; Hebrews 4:11, 12; Romans 12:1, 2

è Remember: He is pursuing you while you struggle. He desires to partner with you now …. not when you are able to “fix it”.

è Remember: The master root of all their (our) bondage was unbelief …. Believing lies! (See Genesis 3)

• The lie? “He doesn’t really LOVE you. Doesn’t really want the Best for you. You can have what He has without submitting to Him.” (Genesis 3:4, 5)

• Lies violated and stole their identity and their authority! (See Genesis 1:26 – 28) His image is LOVE. (See 1 John 4:8, 16)

• His image, LOVE, was in them and they walked away from it into bondage by way of lies. Unbelief! Fear and shame flowed from their unbelief. (1 John 4:18)

è DECEPTION/UNBELIEF

• THE root of all Bondage and brokenness is a failure or refusal to believe and deeply connect with a promise in the Word of God. (John 8:31, 32)

• Hebrews 3:7-19 …. After 40 years of seeing His faithfulness, miracles, deliverance and incredible grace, His people refused to take the next step of faith and GO FORWARD! (See Hebrews 3:12, 13, 19 …. God called this evil)

• Who, what is the final authority in my life?

è The root of unbelief is broken by ABIDING (connecting, and staying connected to His Word.

• Pride …. John 15:5 Without Me, you can do NOTHING!

 Luke 14:11 …. If I exalt myself, I will be humbled

 Admit …. Total dependency, ownership (1 Corinthians 6:19)

 Submit …. To His leadership (Proverbs 3:5, 6)

• Fear …. Connecting with His LOVE (1 John 4:18; John 17:23, 26)

• Shame, guilt, inferiority …. Hebrews 10:16, 17; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21; Ephesians 1:3-5; Romans 8:31

“It was for FREEDOM that CHRIST has set us free!!” (Galatians 5:1)