Unit V Key 2 – For the Mentor

JOURNEY TO FREEDOM HANDBOOK

     UNIT V Key 2                                             FAITH

Purpose of this Key:

  1. Build faith that God delivers believers from trouble.
  2. Uncover any history of involvement with the occult, New Age, witchcraft, Satanism, etc.
  3. Learn to repent of and renounce any association with these practices.
  4. Learn to use Jesus’ name to rebuke demonic manifestations in their lives or homes.

Psalm 34:1-7

Common responses:

  1. We should praise the Lord, even when we are in bad situations.
  2. He will deliver us from trouble.
  3. We need to pray at all times.
  4. His angels will protect us.
  5. We should witness whenever we get the chance.

Points to emphasize:

  1. It is easy to praise the Lord when things are going well, but we are called to praise Him even when things are not going well.
  2. Praise helps us stop negative thoughts and emotions.
  3. Praise changes our attitudes.
  4. Refer to I Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Psalm 34:8-14

Common responses:

  1. We are to let God guide us.
  2. He will deliver us from our sin if we will listen to Him.
  3. If we make Him our highest priority, we will have no reason to be afraid.
  4. We can trust Him.
  5. We need to be careful what we say.
  6. If we revere Him, He will bless us.

Points to emphasize:

  1. God sometimes solves our problems in surprising and unexpected ways.
  2. We can pray without words; we can just enjoy God’s presence.
  3. Affirm any Biblical response; these verses say different things to different people.

Psalm 34:15-22

Common responses:

  1. If we continue seeking the Lord, He will deliver us.
  2. We will have troubles, but the Lord will deliver us.
  3. We can only expect His help if we repent of our sins.
  4. The Lord comforts us in our sorrows.
  5. We are to be totally dependent on Him.
  6. Those who continue in sin and do not repent will be punished.

Points to emphasize:

  1. The “righteous” are not righteous because of their clean living and good works, but because they have repented and accepted God’s forgiveness (Psalm 51 & II Corinthians 5:21).
  2. Out of gratitude for His mercy, we accept God’s plan for our lives and obey His calling.
  3. God always has a plan; we just need to ask Him how we can cooperate with it.
  4. Chapters like this one are in the Bible because we sometimes need comfort and encouragement.

Isaiah 8:19

Common responses:

  1. We should consult with the Lord only and avoid the occult.
  2. Some believe the “mediums” include not only fortune-tellers but also any spiritual fads or worldly opinions that are currently in fashion.

Points to emphasize:

  1. People turn to fortune-tellers because they are afraid of the future, and we do not have to be afraid if we trust in the Lord.
  2. We are to avoid any kind of spiritism, séances, witchcraft, fortune-telling, or any effort to contact the dead.
  3. Seances invite demons, who pretend to be dead relatives and friends and who thereby deceive people.
  4. If we have surrendered our self-will to God, we do not need to know the future. God will reveal it to us in His time.
  5. His sheep hear His voice (John 10:3-5, 16, & 27). We just need to be ready to obey.
  6. Be aware that some ssa/ma/tx overcomers have had occultic involvement or were raised in families who practiced occultic activities.

I Timothy 4:1

Common responses:

  1. The Word protects our minds from deception.
  2. We should not be deceived by any theology or philosophy that tells us that ssa/ma/tx activity is acceptable to God or that ssa/ma/tx people were “born that way”.
  3. We need to test every teaching by what the Word says.

Points to emphasize:

  1. The three enemies of our souls are the World (our environments and culture), the flesh (our sinful nature), and the devil.
  2. The devil will attack us with temptation, deception, or direct manifestations.
  3. Self-examination and confession of sin limit his influence in our lives.
  4. The Word and prayer also limit his influence.
  5. Sometimes we need to directly rebuke him in the name of Jesus.

Psalm 18:1-10

Common responses:

  1. God will resolve our problems if we take them to Him.
  2. God is faithful, and we should put our trust in Him alone.
  3. He always hears our prayers.

Points to emphasize:

  1. This Psalm does not say that we will not have enemies or troubles, but it does say that we will be delivered.
  2. God is more powerful than the devil, and we can pray to be rescued if he attacks.
  3. If asked, God will rescue us from ordinary temptations or direct demonic manifestations.
  4. Note that the Psalm begins with praise to God. The devil flees when we praise God.
  5. God gets angry when someone tries to harm one of His servants.
  6. He will defend us in ways we often cannot see. Refer to Isaiah 54:17.

1. Have you ever had any involvement with the occult? Include involvement with Ouija boards, Tarot cards, fortune-tellers, séances, New Age, Wicca, or Satanism. If so, what was the result?

Common responses:

  1. Most have not, but some have.
  2. Sometimes it involved sexual activity that opened the door to ssa/ma/tx temptations.
  3. For some, it seemed at the time to be harmless fun. Later, they realized it was dangerous.
  4. Some experimented with it because they were curious, but nothing happened.
  5. Some had frightening experiences.

Points to emphasize:

  1. Affirm those who had avoided it.
  2. Those who were involved need to repent of it and renounce it.
  3. They need to purge their lives of anything connected to the occult.
  4. We can pray for the salvation of people who are involved in it.

2. If you answered “yes” to any of the above, have you discarded any paraphernalia associated with it? Have you repented of it and renounced it? (Caution: if bringing up these issues triggers a negative reaction, go immediately into prayer for protection before continuing. If you need help, contact your pastor or a trusted prayer partner.)

Common responses:

  1. This is not an issue for those who have had no occultic involvement.
  2. Those who were involved have already repented, renounced their occultic dealings, and rid their lives of any paraphernalia. When they accepted Jesus as their Savior, they realized that they needed to be rid of these things.

Points to emphasize:

  1. Those who had no occultic involvement might someday be able to help someone who has.
  2. Christians need to be aware of their authority in Christ.
  3. Even when one repents and believes in Jesus, any residual involvement can hinder spiritual growth unless completely renounced.
  4. Sometimes a Christian family can move into a house where occultic activity was practiced by previous owners, and the house needs to be prayed over to rid it of demons.
  5. If one moves into a new home, it is a good idea to walk through it and pray for it to be blessed.

3. How has your faith changed since you began the program?

Common responses:

  1. They rely more on God’s strength rather than their own.
  2. They accept the Word of God instead of secular theories.
  3. Their thoughts are centered on Jesus, not on their lusts.
  4. They are kinder to others and forgive others.
  5. They are trusting God more with the problems of daily living and with their futures.
  6. Faith has led to obedience.
  7. They describe their faith as stronger and deeper.

Points to emphasize:

  1. Affirm any growth of faith they describe.
  2. Encourage thanks and praise to God.

4. Why does faith have to be in Christ alone? What happens when we have only partial faith in Christ but place part of our faith in the things of this world?

Common responses:

  1. Partial faith allows the devil more influence in our lives.
  2. Partial faith means compromising with lies.
  3. Jesus gives us eternal life, and He is the One Who died for our sins.
  4. Partial faith is not really faith.
  5. Partial faith means we are trying to handle our lives on our own.
  6. Jesus warned us against trying to serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).

Points to emphasize:

  1. Affirm any Biblical response.
  2. Affirm their reliance on Christ alone. Many ssa/ma/tx overcomers started the Keys program with some faith in God, but they did not know how to use their faith to overcome temptations, so they made compromises with the World. They learned through the Keys how to defeat temptation.
  3. Affirm that any part of one’s life not given over to Jesus becomes the devil’s opening to take over all of one’s life.

5. What are some compromises you have tried to make between what the Bible says and what the World says? What was the result?

Common responses:

  1. They compromised with sexual temptations, but now realize that was wrong.
  2. Romans 2:15 proved itself to be true: God’s Law was written on their hearts, and eventually they came under conviction of sin.
  3. Sometimes they hurt other people.
  4. Some hurt innocent children.
  5. Some used to have problems with anger, and they sought revenge against those who had wronged them; now they seek to forgive.
  6. Some have been poor stewards of their money and resources.

Points to emphasize:

  1. Affirm that God has done a great work in their hearts and minds.
  2. Affirm the dangers of compromises with the world.
  3. Refer to Romans 6:17 & 21 and I John 5:3.

6. Is there anything in your life that you find hard to trust to God alone? Please describe.

Common responses:

  1. Answers will vary.
  2. Some are anxious about the future, especially if they are currently in bad situations.
  3. Some are in situations where they are unable to make full use of their talents, so they feel frustrated.
  4. Some now feel very remorseful about their former sins, especially those against children; and even though they know God has forgiven them, they still regret what they did.

Points to emphasize:

  1. Counsel based on your knowledge, experience, and what you have learned from working with this person.

7. What are some incidents in the last month, last few months, or last year, in which you felt your faith was tested? Please describe.

Common responses:

  1. Most have learned to take their problems to the Lord instead of reacting emotionally.
  2. Some have learned to pray for those who have wronged them.
  3. Some have faced catastrophic events, such as the death of a loved one or medical problems.
  4. Some are trying to heal broken relationships with loved ones.
  5. Some are in environments in which their faith is tested every day.

Points to emphasize:

  1. Affirm any Biblical response.
  2. Sometimes a period of increased stress occurs before God moves someone into greater service.
  3. Refer to Hebrews 12:3-11. God’s discipline is not necessarily a punishment. Athletes in training undergo discipline to improve their performance.
  4. Never criticize any difficulties that they confess. Give encouragement; these changes are difficult.
  5. Counsel based on your knowledge, experience, and what you have learned from working with this person.

8. What are some of the Scriptures that you have used to get through them?

Common responses:

  1. Answers will vary. Everyone shares some; some share many.

Points to emphasize:

  1. Affirm the power of the Word to help us when tested.
  2. Take the time to look up the Scriptures they share if you do not recognize the references.
  3. Affirm any progress they describe.
  4. Encourage thanks and praise to God.
  5. Counsel based on your knowledge, experience, and what you have learned from working with this person.

9. What does Isaiah 54:17 say to you?

Common responses:

  1. Answers will vary.
  2. Many say that they do not have to be concerned about what other people think of them.
  3. Many say that they do not have to listen to the accusations of the devil.

Points to emphasize:

  1. Affirm any Biblical response.
  2. God will deal with those who stand against us, as long as we love our enemies, forgive our enemies, and pray for our enemies.
  3. When God humbles someone, it is often a private experience between sinner and Savior. We might not have the opportunity to see it.
  4. Counsel based on your knowledge, experience, and what you have learned from working with this person.

10. Which best describes the use you make of your faith during temptation? Does this represent an improvement since you began the program? Please describe.

Common responses:

  1. Answers vary from “use it more often than not” to “it has become an automatic reflex”.
  2. Most describe having made great improvements since beginning the program.

Points to emphasize:

  1. Affirm any progress they describe.
  2. Encourage thanks and praise to God.
  3. Never criticize any difficulties that they confess. Give encouragement; these changes are difficult.
  4. Counsel based on your knowledge, experience, and what you have learned from working with this person.

11. Did you use any memorized Scripture to battle temptation lately? What was the result?

Common responses:

  1. Most have seen positive results.

Points to emphasize:

  1. Affirm the power of the Word to block temptation.
  2. Counsel based on your knowledge, experience, and what you have learned from working with this person.

12. How is your spiritual life in general, how are your private devotions, and how are things at your church/fellowship group?

Common responses:

  1. Most report that their spiritual life and devotions are going well.
  2. Most are spending much time in the Word and are staying focused on Jesus.
  3. Some are seeing problems in their churches.
  4. Sometimes they see problems at church because they have become more discerning of bad doctrines.

Points to emphasize:

  1. Encourage thanks and praise to God for whatever is going well.
  2. Everyone at church is at a different point in their Christian walk. Not everyone is ready to be helpful to others. Some are not actually saved. Some are Pharisees who put their virtues on display so others will notice. Some are struggling with their sins but have not yet gotten the victory.
  3. When there is trouble at church, we need to be in prayer about it. Jesus loves His Church, in spite of its faults, and we are to love it also.

Plan of Action

  1. Affirm any Biblical response.
  2. Counsel based on your knowledge, experience, and what you have learned from working with this person.
  3. Give lots of encouragement for any valid ideas on how to make changes.
  4. Encourage confessing sin and receiving forgiveness where they identify a need to make changes.

Additional Points:

  1. Jesus gave His followers authority over demons (Matthew 10:1 & 8, Luke 10:17, & Mark 16:17).
  2. We can only rebuke them in the name of Jesus, Who has all authority in Heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18).
  3. If one senses an evil, invisible presence, it can be told to leave in the name of Jesus.
  4. However, first one must confess any sin of which one is consciously aware.
  5. One must also have forgiven anyone who has wronged one.
  6. One must have a disciplined devotional and worship life.
  7. One must be willing to operate under godly authority.
  8. Fear and anger seem to draw them.
  9. Once they are gone, lift up praise to God.
  10. One should also get into prayer and self-examination, and ask the Holy Spirit if any sin in one’s life has opened the door for a demonic attack.
  11. If one moves into a house where there has been occultic activity or death by violence, there might be a demonic infestation in the house. It is always a good idea to prayer-walk one’s house when one moves in.
  12. Some people seem to be more susceptible to demonic activity than others. A history of occultic involvement in one’s life or in one’s family might open the door for demonic activity.
  13. Sometimes drugs, horror movies, or a preoccupation with violence might open the door.
  14. A history of sexual abuse might open the door also, because one’s boundaries were forcibly lowered.
  15. Attempting deliverance with someone else should only be done with others who have had some experience in this kind of ministry.
  16. If there seems to be much negativity and conflict in one’s church, there is no harm in prayer-walking the church occasionally. 
  17. Demonic activity might be involved when someone is suicidal. People who seem otherwise normal might hear messages telling them to kill themselves.