Day 9: Know Your Enemy's Strategy

List adapted from Neil Anderson's Steps to Freedom in Christ.

Ways we can be deceived by the world:

• Believing that acquiring money and things will bring lasting happiness (see Matthew 13:22; 1 Timothy 6:10)
• Believing that excessive food and alcohol can relieve your stress and make you happy. (see Proverbs 23:19-21)
• Believing that an attractive body and personality will get you what you need (see Proverbs 31:30, 1 Peter 3:3-4)
• Believing that gratifying sexual lust will bring lasting satisfaction (see Ephesians 4:22, 1Peter 2:11)
• Believing that you can sin and get away without any negative consequences (see Hebrews 3:12-13)
• Believing that you need more than what God has given you in Christ (see 2Corinthians 11:2-4, 13-15)
• Believing that you can do whatever you want and no one can touch you (see Proverbs 16:18, Obadiah 3; 1 Peter 5:5)
• Believing that unrighteousness people who refuse to accept Christ go to heaven (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
• Believing that you can associate with bad company and not become corrupted (see 1 Corinthians 15:33-34)
• Believing that you can read, see, or listen to anything and not be corrupted (see Proverbs 4:23-27; Matthew 5:28)
• Believing that there are no consequences on Earth for your sin (see Galatians 6:7-8)
• Believing you must gain the approval of certain people in order to be happy ( see Galatians 1:10)
• Believing you must measure up to certain standards in order to feel good about yourself (see Galatians 3:2-3; 5:1)Lord Jesus, I confess that I have been deceived by ( confess the items above that apply to you)" I thank You for Your forgiveness, and I commit myself to believe only Your truth. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Ways We Deceive Ourselves

• Hearing Gods Word but not doing what it says (see James 1:22)
• Saying you have no sin (see 1 John 1:8)
• Thinking you are something you are really not (see Galatians 6:3)
• Thinking you are wise in this worldly age (see 1 Corinthians 3:18-19)
• Thinking you can be truly religious but not bridle your tongue (see James 1:26)
• Thinking that God is the source of your problems (see Lamentations 3)
• Thinking you can live your life without the help of anyone else (see 1 Corinthians 12:14-20)

Lord Jesus, I confess that I have deceived myself by (confess the items above that apply). Thank You Your forgiveness, I commit myself to believe only Your truth. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Ways We Wrongly Defend Ourselves

• Denial of reality (conscious or unconscious)
• Fantasy (escaping reality through daydreaming, Tv, movies, music, computer or video games, drugs, alcohol)
• Emotional Insulation (withdrawing from people or keeping people at a distance to avoid rejection)
• Regression (reverting to less threatening times)
• Displaced Anger (taking out frustrations on innocent people)
• Projection (attributing to another what you find unacceptable in yourself)
• Rationalization (making excuses for your own poor behavior)
• Lying (protecting yourself through falsehoods)
• Blaming Yourself (when you are not responsible) and others
• Hypocrisy (presenting a false image)

Lord Jesus, I confess that I have defended myself by (confess all that apply). Thank You for Your forgiveness. I trust You to defend and protect me.. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.