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Lesson 3
BREAKING THE CHAINS OF BONDAGE
Why is Breaking the Chains of Bondage significant? Because you were made with a purpose to fulfill everything you’ve ever dreamed or aspired or desired (your vision) that God has put on your heart. Consequently, we are spiritual beings having a human experience; therefore, we are in a spiritual battle of the mind. “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (NLT, Ephesians 6:12). Therefore, it’s this battle of the mind that determines whether or not we break the chains of bondage or allow them to remain.
What are the Chains of Bondage? Chains of Bondage can represent anything from 0-18 years of age past trauma, negative emotions, and limited beliefs, to include negative life experiences along the way such as guilt, shame, resentment, resistance, anger, revenge, fear, materialism, stubbornness, pride, control, a need for approval, not good enough, etc. So, ask yourself? How many times have you found yourself feeling out of control, helpless, embarrassed, shamed, not good enough, less than, fearful, or angry? All of these feelings or experiences are Chains of Bondage. This includes generational baggage (i.e., stories, beliefs, limitations, or excuses, etc.) about oneself or family that holds you back.
Where do these Chains of Bondage come from? It all starts in the mind. It starts with your “thoughts.” Then those thoughts become things, such as your attitude (emotions), which then in turn your behaviors (actions) which formulate your results (what we want or don’t want). So, if it all starts with your mind, where do you put your thoughts? Are you the type of person who lives in fear or doubt? Do you find yourself reacting to circumstances vs responding to circumstances? Does your pain, hurt and troubles keep you thinking in the past? If so, you’re not alone.
Be encouraged. God’s Word in Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (NLT, Ephesians 6:12). God wants what’s best for you and wants you to have the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (KJV) “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of your heart.” This is your vision list for your life from Lesson 1.
How do you break the Chains of Bondage in your life? Well, my friend, this involves three schools of thought as we learned in Lesson 2.
So, what’s at stake? What’s at stake is a culmination of everything you ever wanted to BE, DO and HAVE. It’s your vision list from Lesson 1, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (KJV, Proverbs 29:18). Are you living for everyone else's vision? Is your vision list empty? In this lesson you will address ways of Breaking the Chains of Bondage.
So, what “if” you…Shifted your “thinking” to Above the Line Thinking, as God desires? What would be different? By shifting how you think, you will begin to Break the Chains of Bondage to every negative emotion, limited belief, generational curse (lie) and create a life of restoration, healing, hope, prosperity, and fulfillment.
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Tips/Nuggets
What Chains (Below the Line Thinking) are keeping you in bondage?
I myself (Ray Tuggle) have struggled in the past with pornography (Chains of Bondage). Sadly a lot of men and now women do. This was a terrible stronghold over me. I did this during my marriage and when I was single. I felt shameful, embarrassed, guilty, and dirty (Below the Line Thinking). Yet, I justified it in my (flesh) I was lonely, unappreciated, not respected, horny, and physically deprived. I began to spiral. I continued to place my thoughts on (Below the Line Thinking) as I believed the Father of lies, all three of his commandments 1 John 2:16, 1) lust of the eyes 2) lust of the flesh and 3) the pride of life. It was subtle. Little by little (5 min, then 10, then 30, etc.). Always in hiding and mostly after everyone was asleep or not around. This wasn't something I was raised around like sneaking around to find my dad's Playboy collection. This was extremely rare being placed in my mind growing up. I think I saw my first real enticing nudity was when I was 12 yr old sneaking up and turning on HBO's movie "10" with Bo Derek. Otherwise very little exposure.
However for some of you reading this it might be different. You may have experienced nudity or pornography early on. God's word warns about guarding your eyes and ears (Matt 6:22-23). For me this wasn't the case as a young child.
So what "hooked" me? It was the stories I allowed to be made up in my mind (battleground). All I wanted was to be pleasured and to pleasure (lust of the eyes and flesh). I loved women's bodies and if I wasn't going to get it in real life, what harm was there in "non" physical imagination? I would often times find myself desiring pornography often 1) late at night and 2) when I was bored or feeling alone.
Yet there was always two things of wisdom I've always heard but never clued into 1) Nothing good happens after midnight and 2) Idle time is the devils playground. Yet I allowed myself to continue to "crave" these moments and yet at the same time, I hated myself. I was like a boat tossed to and fro by the wind on the ocean (Ephesians 4:14/James 1:6).
So, why not stop? Well, my spirit knew better, but I suppressed the truth (Above the Line Thinking) and instead fed my (Below the Line Thinking) desires. This Chain of Bondage (pornography) inevitably destroyed my wife's trust, her heart, her dignity, her confidence, her self worth, as well as my own, to include my faith, my children's respect, and my marriage. It had devastating impact on myself, my wife and my family for many many years, and only now, has restoration begun to really mend and heal each of us. You see when we allow ourselves to be unaware (ignorant) or foolish to God warnings, in this case against keeping secrets or things in hiding (our sins, transgressions, and wrongdoings) which begin to lay hold on a journey of destruction fulfilling our adversaries purpose of seeking to kill and destroy us (John 10:10).
Therefore, take CAPTIVE YOUR THOUGHTS and IMAGINATIONS in order to expose your Chains of Bondage by bringing them into the light (Matt 10:26-28) by breathing new life, off with the old and on with the new of (Above the Line Thinking). For Jesus is the light of the world who came not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:16-17). Do not give up, do not give in, we have hope and a promise God will help you (1 Corinthians 10:13).
1). Be Aware & Acknowledge Your Chains
The first tip is to have an awareness of what the Chains of Bondage are in your own life. The Chains of Bondage represent the sin, transgressions, and wrongdoings in our life. Sin is anything we say, do or think that displeases God. These Chains of bondage represent (Below the Line Thinking) such as: guilt, shame, resentment, resistance, anger, revenge, fear, materialism, stubbornness, pride, control, a need for approval, not good enough, etc. These are the same things that prevent us from living out our vision and purpose God has for our life. Therefore, review and meditate on God's Word in Philippians 4:8-9 to (Above the Line Thinking) to break these chains. Take the time to consider what yours may be. Fear and unforgiveness are the most common.
2). Know your enemy
Applying the Lesson within the verses
1 Peter 5:8, ESV
John 8:44, AMPC
The scriptures are very clear who our enemy is, the adversary, the devil. “Be sober-minded (Above the Line Thinking); be watchful (not comfort zone). Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (Strongholds / Below the Line Thinking).”
John 8:44, AMPC (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
“He is the father of lies and all that is false.” You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father (Below the Line Thinking). He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him (Above the Line Thinking). When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false (Below the Line Thinking).
3). Know where the battle begins
Applying the Lesson within the verses
2 Corinthians 10:3-5, AMP
“For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying (Below the Line Thinking) sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God (Above the Line Thinking), and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ.
4). Know how your enemy attacks
Applying the Lesson within the verses
1 John 2:16, AMP
Matthew 6:14, ESV
Proverbs 16:27, TLB
Matthew 10:26-28, ESV
The adversary attacks our minds (Below the Line Thinking). He often does this through the lust of flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. “For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world (Below the Line Thinking).”
5). Be confident and know how to win the battle
Applying the Lesson within the verses
2 Timothy 1:7, NLT
Hebrews 8:12, ESV
1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV
John 3:16-17, KJV
Hebrews 12:1, AMP
Galatians 5:1, AMP
“God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity (Below the Line Thinking), but of power, love, and self-discipline (Above the Line Thinking).”
6). Understand the Process
Beliefs/values ---> thinking--->attitude--->behavior--->results
Remember in Lesson 2 Above the Line Thinking. There we learned how we can change the way we think and why it’s important. In Lesson 3 by doing so we can begin to break the chains of bondage that keeps us “Below the Line of Thinking.”
By changing our Thinking we may not be able to directly impact our past installed beliefs and values that don’t serve us anymore; however, we can change the way we “think” now. In turn, this will change our “attitudes” which then affects our “behaviors” and ultimately our RESULTS!
Our Beliefs 'values' (trigger) ----> Our Thinking 'programs and habits' which (trigger) ----> Our Attitude which (trigger) ----> Our Behaviors 'what we do' which (produces) ----> Our RESULTS!
7. Realize what's at stake
Breaking the Chains of Bondage is critical to living out your God given vision and purpose for your life. Act as if your life depends on it. When you change the way you think, you’ll change your outcome and results, breaking the chains, and setting yourself free to be, do and have your hearts desires.
If not, these chains of bondage result in unused potential, unnecessary stress and an unfulfilled life. That’s why the adversary's purpose is to seek, kill and destroy us in order to make the “graveyard” the richest place on Earth, for every song never sung, every book never written, every relationship never mended, every vision list never accomplished, etc.
Therefore, purpose to Break the Chains of Bondage by placing your thoughts on things above (Think Above the Line Thinking).
Applying the Lesson within the verse
Psalms 37:4, ESV
"Delight yourself in the Lord (Above the Line Thinking),
and he will give you the desires of your heart (your vision list)."
Final thought, although my story of Breaking the Chains of Bondage of Pornography isn't a one and done,
I have a greater awareness and a purposeful mindset to invoke (Above the Line Thinking)with my everyday thoughts in order to help me. The way I do this is through staying in God's word, the Holy Spirit, and affirming my I AM statements (of who God says I AM) and my goals that align with my vision list.
Blessings from your Authors ❤️
Food for Thought
“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.” - Les Brown
5 Reasons to write out, meditate, and act upon your vision list, so as, not to allow them to go to the grave with you.
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You get to become who God meant you BE. You become Courageous and Brave by taking risks. Daring to do something more, better or different. Stepping outside your comfort zone of Below the Line Thinking, initiates the miracles in your life to turn dreams into reality. God has big plans for each of us. So when we play small the impact is equivalent. However, when we choose to play big, the impact is also equivalent. We are a product of our choices. It’s mental, emotional and physical conditioning. Dopamine and serotonin in particular are the neurotransmitters that are relevant when it comes to goals of checking off your vision list. Dopamine is considered a 'reward' chemical that your brain releases when you've achieved (or you're close to achieving) a goal. It creates feelings of motivation, satisfaction and productivity
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You get to inspire others. It’s overcoming your F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real). It inadvertently gives others confidence that they too can do something bold, risky or daring in order to pursue their dreams. It’s giving yourself the ultimate permission to accept your greatness and be worthy (you always have been) of all that God has for you.
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You get to see God open doors that no one can shut when you follow your passions that God has for you, no one can close those doors (Revelations 3:7).
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You get to have greater fulfillment. By living your dreams, aspirations and desires (vision), you have a greater sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
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You get to live out your potential God has for your life. In doing so, it pleases God and benefits all those around you.
Resources
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When you utilize the workbook along with these resources, you will create lasting and undeniable results!