STEP 8 RELEASE

Step 8 RELEASE: We forgive those who have harmed us, and become willing to make amends to those we have harmed.

BE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE TO ONE ANOTHER, FORGIVING EACH OTHER JUST AS IN CHRIST GOD FORGAVE YOU EPHESIANS 4:32

As we look at our word for today, release. (PAUSE)

Does that give you any peace and Comfort, knowing that we can release past sins that have been done to us, or even by making amends to those who have been harmed by us?

Whenever we keep hold of these feelings and emotions that cause pain and heartache, we are the only ones who become truly harmed by it.

Healing and forgiveness by our release of past sins to, and or against us, is critical in our restoration and recovery.

To release means: to move, act, or flow freely. In this situation, we are dealing with the issue of sin. By either us or someone else.

It could also mean to set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude.

In the Old Testament, this is clearly described for us as a forgiveness of a debt that we can find in Deuteronomy: 15:1-2 At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. 2 And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the Lord’s release.

What happens if sin is not released?

Let me refresh your memory from the previous teaching. We talked about the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22- 25. There's 9 of them, remember?

Now go to Galatians 5:16-21 (16).I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

(19) Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

(20) idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

(21) envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Let me be blunt with you, that if you don't release these past sins, you can be ate up by the grief it WILL produce in you

(IF) you follow this to its logical conclusion, you could lose you place in eternity also (PAUSE)

Have you ever met a person who said they were glad they held onto their past sins or abuses? (ME NEITHER)

WHAT IS THE REAL OBJECTIVE WITH RELEASE?

To stop carrying a burden that we weren't meant to carry in the first place.

To forgive us/others as our heavenly father so forgave us.

To enjoy the peaceful/abundant life Christ promised us. (SHALOM)

BIBLICAL FIREPOWER WEAPONRY

Bible

Accountability partner/sponsor/mentor

Prayer time daily, and consistently

This recovery/discipleship meeting weekly

Disengagement from those things that’s going to squander your ability to release past sins in your life.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Describe what it's like to keep carrying a burden, from you not releasing?.

Describe the feeling you get, when you DO release past sins?