Barriers to Freedom
Deception vs. Truth (study 1 John 1: 5– 2: 2)
Are you aware that you have been believing any lies concerning life, yourself, others, etc.? _________
Are you aware of any of the following self-deceptions?
___Denial of reality
___Fantasy escape
___Attempts to identify self as someone else
___Emotional passivity
___Attempt to retreat to earlier stage of life
___Venting feelings on people weaker than those who hurt you
Are you given to defending yourself by any of the following?
___Covering up your weaknesses by overdoing your strengths ___Blaming others for your own problems
___Rationalization to justify yourself
Bitterness vs. Forgiveness (study Ephesians 4: 31– 32)
Ask God to bring to mind every relationship in which you have feelings of resentment or bitterness (including God), and list them. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________
Ask God to reveal to you every person who needs to forgive you, and list them. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rebellion vs. Submission (study Romans 13: 1– 5)
Examine yourself with regard to any rebelliousness in relation to each of the following.
Notice that each passage promises a blessing for a submissive response.
- Civil government (1 Timothy 2: 1– 3; 1 Peter 2: 13– 17)
- Parents (Ephesians 6: 1– 3)
- Husband (1 Peter 3: 1– 6)
- Employer (Ephesians 6: 5– 8; 1 Peter 2: 18– 21)
- Church leaders (Hebrews 13: 17) Record any thoughts that come to you in this regard. ________________________________________ ________________________________________
Pride vs. Humility (study James 4: 6– 10)
Examine yourself to see if you are consciously or unconsciously seeking your will more than God’s. Record any thoughts that come to you in this regard. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bondage vs. Freedom (study Galatians 5: 1)
Examine yourself in the light of the following passages:
Romans 1: 24– 31
1 Corinthians 6: 9– 11
Galatians 5: 19– 21
Revelation 21: 8; 22: 15
Record any thoughts that come to your mind in this regard. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Taken from Two Hours to Freedom by Charles H. Kraft Chosen Books, a Division of Baker Publishing Group Grand Rapids, Michigan (Pages 157, 158).