Walking in Freedom

Standing in Victory

The Believer's Position in Christ

Freedom begins by knowing who you already are in Christ. The enemy's power rests largely on ignorance — when the truth is seen, his schemes lose their grip.

Scripture commands us to stand — not to strive into a freedom we don't yet have, but to hold the ground Christ has already won. The ministry takes its name from this charge:

Paul tells us plainly that we are not to be uninformed about how the enemy operates. Ignorance is itself an open door:

We are also warned not to hand the enemy any ground — the word Paul uses is literally a place, a foothold:

You Are Made of Spirit, Soul, and Body

Scripture describes the human being in three parts — spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). When a person comes to Christ, their spirit is made new and joined to the Holy Spirit. But the soul — the mind, will, and emotions — is renewed over time (Romans 12:2). The enemy cannot touch the redeemed spirit, but he will work to trouble the mind and body where old wounds and open doors remain.

Understanding Bondage

Freedom and Deliverance Are for the Believer

One of the most common questions in this ministry is whether a follower of Jesus can be afflicted or in bondage at all. The honest, pastoral answer is that a Christian can still be influenced or troubled in soul and body, even though they can never be owned by the enemy. The Greek word often translated "possessed" carries the sense of being under an influence or power — not of being owned.

Open Doors and Their Closing

Bondage tends to enter through an open door — unforgiveness, bitterness, occult involvement, trauma, generational patterns, ungodly vows, or persistent sin. Scripture pictures it as a gap in the hedge:

The ministry's approach is therefore not to chase symptoms but to find and close the door — through repentance, forgiveness, and renouncing — and then to command what remains to go, in the authority of Jesus' name. Closing the door is the work; the leaving follows.

Healing and Deliverance Belong Together

In the Gospels, healing and deliverance are woven together. Matthew tells us that when Jesus cast out spirits and healed the sick, He was fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy that He would bear our infirmities (Matthew 8:16-17; Isaiah 53:5). Freedom is not an add-on to the gospel — it is part of what the cross purchased. It is, as Jesus called it, the children's bread.

Preparation

Steps to Freedom

Lasting freedom is a process, not a single moment. Wounds and bondages come in layers, and they are removed in layers. Done with sincerity and patience, these steps weaken every hold and prepare the heart.

1. Forgive Everyone Who Has Hurt You

   Make a written list of everyone who has significantly wounded you, childhood to now, living or dead. Forgive each from the heart and release the resentment. Pray for them sincerely.

   "But I say unto you, Love your enemies... and pray for them which despitefully use you."Matthew 5:44 · 6:14-15 · Colossians 3:12-13

2. Forgive Yourself

   List the things you do not like about yourself, and release each one. Let go of self-hatred, regret, and condemnation. Self-hatred blocks recovery as surely as hating others. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and fully loved.

   "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."Psalm 139:14 · John 3:16 · Romans 5:8

3. Honor Your Parents and Renounce Rebellion

   Whatever your parents' faults, dishonor and rebellion open a door. Renounce and repent of it, release them to God, and — where possible and wise — make peace. You now have a Heavenly Father.

   "Honour thy father and thy mother."Exodus 20:12 · Ephesians 6:1-3

4. Take Your Thoughts Captive

   List the recurring negative thoughts the enemy plants in your mind. Reject and renounce each one, and replace it with a truth from Scripture. Stop agreeing with lies; start agreeing with God's Word.

   "Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."2 Corinthians 10:3-5 · Isaiah 26:3 · Philippians 4:8

5. Receive Godly Sorrow

   Ask God for the gift of godly sorrow. Of everyone you may have hurt, the One most wounded was your Heavenly Father — and genuine sorrow over that is healing, not condemning. Your tears in His presence are never wasted.

   "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation."2 Corinthians 7:10 · Psalm 56:8

Praying Through to Freedom

Steps of Deliverance

Once the preparation is done, freedom is taken hold of in prayer. These steps are prayed aloud, from the heart, in order. Where you see a space, name the specific people, sins, or involvements the Lord brings to mind.

1. Affirm Your Faith in Christ

   "Lord Jesus Christ, I believe You are the Son of God and the only way to God — that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again, so that I might be forgiven and receive eternal life."

2. Humble Yourself

   "I renounce all pride, all religious self-righteousness, and any dignity that does not come from You. I have no claim on Your mercy except that You died in my place."

3. Confess Any Known Sin

   "I confess all my sins before You and hold nothing back. Especially I confess… [name them]"

4. Repent of All Sin

   "I repent of all my sins. I turn away from them, and I turn to You, Lord, for mercy and forgiveness."

5. Forgive All Other People

   "By a decision of my will, I freely forgive all who have ever harmed or wronged me. I lay down all bitterness, resentment, and hatred. Specifically, I forgive… [name them]"

6. Break With the Occult and All False Religion

   "I sever all contact I have ever had with the occult or with any false religion. Especially… [name them]"

7. Receive Release From the Curse

   "Lord Jesus, I thank You that on the cross You were made a curse, that I might be redeemed from every curse and inherit God's blessing. On that basis, I ask You to release me and set me free to receive the deliverance I need."

8. Take Your Stand With God

   "I take my stand with You, Lord, against all Satan's demons. I submit to You, Lord, and I resist the devil."

9. Expel

   "Now I speak to any demon that has had control over me — [speak directly to them] — I command you to leave me now, in the name of Jesus."

The Heart of It

Repentance, Forgiveness & Total Surrender

Repentance

Repentance is more than feeling sorry. The word means a change of mind that turns into a change of direction — turning away from sin and toward God. It is not God demanding that we grovel; it is God inviting us to come home. Every door the enemy uses is shut at the hinge of true repentance.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the deliberate release of a debt someone owes you — letting go of the right to hold their wrong against them. It is not pretending the wound never happened, nor saying it didn't matter. It is handing the judgment of it to God. Jesus tied our freedom to it directly:

Unforgiveness is one of the most common open doors of all. Releasing it is often the very thing that breaks the hold.

Total Surrender to Jesus

Freedom is not finally about technique — it is about Lordship. We give Jesus not just our sins but our whole selves: our past, our pain, our plans, our rights. Surrender is the safest place a person can stand, because what we hand to Him He is able to keep.

A Vital Distinction

Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow

Two kinds of sorrow look alike on the surface, but they lead to opposite destinations. One produces life; the other produces death.

Godly sorrow is grief over having wounded the heart of God — and it carries hope, because it moves toward Him. Worldly sorrow is grief over consequences, or wounded pride, or shame — and it moves away from God into self-pity, condemnation, and despair. The same tears can spring from either root. The difference is the direction they carry you.

This is why one of the steps to freedom is to ask for godly sorrow as a gift. We cannot manufacture it; the Holy Spirit gives it. And when He does, it does not crush — it heals.

Before You Come

The Pre-Deliverance Questionnaire

Everyone preparing for a ministry session completes a confidential questionnaire and waiver beforehand. It is a fillable PDF in both English and Portuguese — complete it, then email it to help@standfasttherefore.com to set up your personal appointment. Everything you share is held in strict confidence.