What does it mean to be truly free? On the Tuesday edition of Live the Promise, pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church shares God’s design for His people to live in freedom from emotional baggage and spiritual oppression.

Robert shares his heart behind his new book,  .

“I had to help people understand that it’s possible as a Christian to be in bondage. If there’s no reason to believe we’re in bondage there’s no reason to seek freedom. Some Christians leave an opening in their life… we need to learn to close those doors and keep [Satan] out.”

What are some of the things that can open ourselves up to oppression?

• Bitterness
• Lust
• Pride
• Greed

Robert and Susie explore how to counter strongholds in our lives.

1. Have an ongoing passionate relationship with Jesus Christ.

“When you lay yourself bare and transparent with Him, you can keep a short list.”

2. Spend time in the Word.

3. Stay in community.

“Have a group of friends that you can talk to about the struggles you’re going through.”

4. Repent.

“Repentance literally means ‘to change your mind.’ Sometimes we think that repentance is [to] cry enough tears or sound sorry enough to God – but we’ve got to change the way we think about our sin. Once we change our mind, God then can set us free. It’s not hard for God to set us free.”

Robert shares these final thoughts on overcoming his own struggle with lust.

“By God’s grace, I don’t have any desire to go down the road of immorality – I’m completely fulfilled. That is so much better than what Satan used to tempt me with. I don’t have creative power but I have the power to agree with life or agree with death. That’s one of the reasons we have to know that Word of God, so we can agree with the Word of God and see the Word of God being lived out over our life.”

Key Scriptures: John 8:36

Theme Song: Calvary Covered It All by Hillsong

Highlight : Admit your need for freedom

The state of true freedom