The Evil Tree Appendixes

Definitions:

1. "Sin" is an individual act of disobeying God. There are two types of sins: omission and commission. "Omission" is when God says to do something and we don't do it. "Commission" is when God says not to do something and we do it anyway.

2. "Iniquity" literally means "perversion" in the Hebrew. Iniquity is a bent toward sin.

3. The New Testament word "anomia" translated "iniquity" literally means "without law". The understanding would be "a bent away from God's law."

THESIS: When we sin, a perversion, a twist, or bent toward that sin is established within us. The bent, flaw, or weakness is called iniquity. This bent may be hereditarily passed upon our children down to the third and forth generation. Although the iniquity may be passed to the children and is a bent toward sin, they may or may not act upon it. If they act upon it and commit iniquity, then the enemy sets up a stronghold within them. "Familiar spirits" are spirits that follow a family down through the generations. They look for such openings as these to enter and take control.

1. Sin produces iniquity. (Leviticus 5:17)
2. Iniquity is passed to the children down to the third and fourth generations. (Exodus 20:5, 34:7, Numbers 14:17, Deuteronomy 5:9)
3. The children receive iniquity from the forefathers. (Lamentations 5:7)
4. The sins of the children can be traced back to their forefathers. (Isaiah 1:4)
5. The iniquities may cause one to fall into sin. (Hosea 14:1)
6. Iniquities of forefathers open the door for children to sin. (Daniel 9:16)
7. The iniquities take us away like the wind. (Isaiah 64:6)
8. The iniquities are passed through conception. (Psalms 51:5)
9. Iniquity tends to increase from generation to generation. (Romans 6:19, Psalms 69:27)
10. The New Covenant gives hope of freedom from iniquities. (Ezekiel 18:20, Jeremiah 31:29-31)
11. Jesus hated iniquity. (Hebrews 1:9)
12. Jesus bore both the penalty for our sins (transgression) and our iniquities. (Isaiah 53:5-6, 11)
13. Jesus gave himself to redeem (to take us back) us from all iniquity. (Titus 2:14)
14. We need to confess the sins and the iniquities of our forefathers as well as our own. (Nehemiah 9:2, Jeremiah 14:20, Leviticus 26:40)
15. We should ask God to wash us of our iniquity and cleanse us of our sin. (Psalms 51:2)
16. We should ask God to blot out all our iniquities. (Psalms 51:9)
17. When we confess our sins, Jesus forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (or iniquity). (I John 1:9)
18. God forgives all our iniquities and heals us from all our diseases. (Psalms 103:3)
19. God takes away all iniquity and receives us graciously that we may offer a sacrifice of praise unto him. (Hosea 14:2, I Peter 2:9, Hebrews 13:15)
20. God is to keep iniquity from having dominion over us. (Psalms 119:133)
21. Although we may have yielded to iniquity in the past, we can now yield to righteousness which leads unto holiness. (Romans 6:19)
22. Many are cold because of iniquity. (Matthew 24:12) We need to share the GOOD NEWS with others.

1. Commit your life unto Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

"I give my life to you, Jesus, as my Lord and Saviour."

 2. Next, begin by asking the Holy Spirit for discernment.

"Holy Spirit, I ask you to show me any evil spirits that are blocking my progress in my Christian walk."

 3. Upon discernment for the need of deliverance of a spirit of __________, confess your sin and ask for forgiveness and cleansing.

"I confess to you, Lord Jesus, that I have opened the door for _________ to come in, by the sin of _______________. Therefore, I ask you to forgive me of the sin of ______________ and to also cleanse me of consequences of _____________."

 4. Yield that area of your life totally to the Lord Jesus.

"I yield the area of ___________ totally to you, Lord Jesus."

 5. Declare that Jesus came to destroy all the works of the Devil.

"I declare that Jesus came to destroy all the works of the Devil, including this area of ___________."

 6. Receive the authority delegated to you.

"I believe that Jesus was given all authority and then delegated that same authority to the Church. Therefore, I now receive that authority in the name of Jesus."

 7. Command, in the name of Jesus, that the spirit is bound and that it must leave.

"In the name of Jesus, I bind the spirit of ________ and command it to leave my mind, will, emotions, and body, and not to come back."

 8. Ask the Holy Spirit if you are clear in the area.

"Holy Spirit, am I now clear of the spirit of ___________?"

• Note: Often spirits group themselves together for strength. You may need to go down a long list, then command all of them to leave. Also, there may be a strong spirit that rules over lesser spirits. In such a case, you may need to cast out the strong spirit first.

9. Strengthen yourself now by confessing God's Word over the weak area where the spirits entered.

 Example: (concerning fear) "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears" (Psalms 34:4).

"Dear Heavenly Father, I surrender all these areas of my life to Jesus, allowing Him to become Lord over each area." (Romans 10:9, Philippians 2:9-11).

"I understand that through the obedience of Christ all authority in Heaven and earth was given to Him and that He delegated that same authority to Believers. Therefore, in the name of Jesus, I receive that authority and make the following declarations:" (Matthew 28:18, Philippians 2:8-11, Ephesians 1:19-22, John 14:12, Mark 16:17-20, 11:22-24).

"According to the Word of God, I declare:"

1. "That Jesus come to destroy (undo or loose) all the works of the Devil." (I John 3:8, Acts 10:38, Romans 6:6).
2. "That Jesus was made a curse for me, thereby redeeming me from the law." (Galatians 3:13, Romans 6:7).
3. "Therefore, I declare in the name of Jesus, that every curse (naming each) is now broken and that they will no longer have an effect over my life." (Romans 6:14).
4. "I declare that the evil tree is dead and that I am free from every evil fruit." (Romans 6:11, 21).
5. "I declare that any attachment of evil spirits to any curse is now severed. I, in the name of Jesus, bind and command those evil spirits to leave." (Matthew 12:29, Romans 6:17-18, Matthew 16:18-19, 12:29, Ephesians 4:27, James 4:7).
6. "I declare that I have a good tree growing within me and that the good tree will produce good fruit." (Romans 6:22, John 15:1-16).
7. "I furthermore declare, that as I obey the Word by grace, that I am in the position of grace to receive the promises and blessings of God into my life." (Galatians 3:14-16, Deuteronomy 28:1-13).

The Sources Of Bad Habits

1. Sins of the forefathers. Exodus 20:4-5.
2. Led astray by own desires. James 1:14-15.
3. Direct demonic influence. II Corinthians 2:11.

1. Know who you are in Christ.
• Eternal security. John 10:28.
• Understand = body, soul, & spirit. Hebrews 4:12, I Thessalonians 5:23.
• Consider who you are. Romans 6:1-8:39.
2. See sin as sin. (learn to hate evil). Proverbs 8:13, 9:10.
3. Repent of all known sin. Proverbs 28:13, Revelation 2:5, 16, 3:21. Ask God to reveal hidden sins also. Psalms 139:23.
4. Understand the grace of God.
• I Corinthians 15:10.
• I Corinthians 10:13.
• Philippians 2:13.
5. Spend time daily in the Word. Ephesians 6:17.
• Reading. Revelation 1:3.
• Memorizing. Psalms 119:11. (Matthew 4:1-10).
• Meditating. Joshua 1:8.
6. Spend time in Prayer.
• Matthew 26:41.
• Ephesians 6:10-18.
• I John 1:7.
7. Fasting is an aid to overcoming.
• Repentance. Jonah 3:5.
• Humble soul. Psalms 69:10-13.
• Break the yoke. Isaiah 58:6.
8. Worship is used to overcome habits.
• Praise is important. Psalms 149:1-9.
• Praise overcomes. Isaiah. 61:3.
• Praying in the Spirit. Jude 1:20.
9. Fellowship with other Believers.
• Church attendance. Hebrews 10:25.
• General fellowship. I John 1:7.
10. Submission and accountability are critical.
• I Peter 5:5.
• Ephesians 4:11-16.
11. One must submit himself unto God.
• James 4:7-10.
• I Peter 5:6-7.
12. Resist the Devil.
• James 4:7
• I Peter 5:8-9.

Since many people use alcohol to fill the void in their lives, I give the following model on alcohol. (See Chapter Six)

Alcohol was not for priests:

Leviticus 10:9 "Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations:"

Alcohol was not for Nazarites:

Numbers 6:3 "He shall separate [himself] from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried."

Alcohol was not for kings:

Proverbs 31:4-5 "[It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted."

Alcohol was not for Daniel:

Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."

Alcohol was not for John the Baptist:

Luke 1:15 "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb."

Warnings against the use of alcohol:

Proverbs 20:1 "Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."

Proverbs 23:20-21 "Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags."

Proverbs 23:29-35 "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, [when] it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, [shalt thou say, and] I was not sick; they have beaten me, [and] I felt [it] not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again."

Woe to alcoholics:

Isaiah 5:11 "Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, [that] they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, [till] wine inflame them!"

Woe to social drinkers:

Isaiah 28:1 "Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty [is] a fading flower, which [are] on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!"

Woe to those who influence others to drink:

Habakkuk 2:15 "Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to [him], and makest [him] drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!"
Romans 14:21 "[It is] good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor [any thing] whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak."

We will miss kingdom living:

1 Corinthians 6:10 "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

We need to watch for the coming of Christ:

Luke 21:34 "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares."

We need to present our bodies as living sacrifices:

Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service."

I Corinthians 3:16-17 "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are."

I Corinthians 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit:

Ephesians 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"
Joshua was filled with the Spirit:

Deuteronomy 34:9 "And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses."

John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit:

Luke 1:15 "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb."

Jesus was filled with the Spirit:

Luke 4:1 "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,"

The 120 disciples were filled with the Spirit:

Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Peter was filled with the Spirit:

Acts 4:8 "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,"

The Believers were refilled with the Spirit:

Acts 4:31 "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."

Stephen was filled with the Spirit:

Acts 7:55 "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,"

Barnabas was filled with the Spirit:

Acts 11:24 "For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord."

Paul was filled with the Spirit:

Acts 13:9 "Then Saul, (who also [is called] Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,"

The disciples were filled with the Spirit:

Acts 13:52 "And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost."

The Church is to be filled with the Spirit:

Ephesians 3:15-21 "Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

Have you asked to be filled with the Spirit?

Luke 11:13 "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

As with the lamps we need to be filled daily:

Leviticus 24:2-4 "Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: [it shall be] a statute for ever in your generations. He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually."

Exodus 30:7 "And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps he shall burn incense upon it."

Warning: an empty house is dangerous:

Matthew 12:43-45 "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth [it] empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last [state] of the man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation."

We are to seek to be filled with all our hearts and souls.

Deuteronomy 4:29 "But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."

Luke 11:9-10 "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For ever one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

Please note: The following is to be only a guide. The Holy spirit should be the one that leads us into worship. Jesus seeks those who will worship him in Spirit and Truth. (John 4:24)

Worshipping the Lord:

Psalms 122:1 "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD."

Hebrews 9:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

Singing unto the Lord:

Psalms 47:6 "Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises."

Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Standing in worship:

Psalms 134:1 "Behold, bless ye the LORD, all [ye] servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD."

Psalms 135:2-3 "Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God, Praise the LORD; for the LORD [is] good: sing praises unto his name; for [it is] pleasant."

Laying on of hands and anointing of oil:

Mark 16:18 "They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Acts 19:6 "And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."

James 5:14 "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:"

Kneeling before the Lord:

Psalms 95:6 "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker."

Ephesians 3:14 "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,"
Clapping of hands in praise:

Psalms 47:1 "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph."

Isaiah 55:12 "For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands."

Using musical instruments:

Psalms 150:3-6 "Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."

Shouting for joy:

Ezra 3:11 "And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because [he is] good, for his mercy [endureth] for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid."

Psalms 5:11 "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee."

Preaching the Word:

Acts 5:42 "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."

Acts 10:42 "And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead."

Acts 20:27 "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God."

Prophesying unto the people:

Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"

I Corinthians 14:1 "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy."

I Thessalonians 5:20: "Despise not prophesyings."

Praying in the Spirit:

Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

I Corinthians 14:5 "I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater [is] he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying."

Jude 1:20 "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,"

Singing in the Spirit:

Psalms 40:3 "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."

I Corinthians 14:15 "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."

Lifting up of hands in worship:

Nehemiah 8:6 "And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with [their] faces to the ground."

Psalms 134:2 "Lift up your hands [in] the sanctuary, and bless the LORD."

Psalms 143:6 "I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah."

Dancing unto the Lord:

Exodus 15:20 "And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances."

Psalms 149:3 "Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp."

Giving of tithes and offerings:

Malachi 3:10 "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it]."

I Corinthians 16:2 "Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."

Healing of diseases and hurts:

Luke 10:9 "And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,"

James 5:14-15 "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

Casting out of evil spirits:

Matthew 10:1 "And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease."

Mark 16:17 "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;"

Reading of the Word:

Nehemiah 8:8 "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused [them] to understand the reading."

Luke 4:16 "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read."

Saving the lost:

Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

Acts 2:41 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

Acts 2:47 "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11)

1. Belt of Truth. (John 8:31-32, I Peter 1:13)
• The results are a freedom from guilt and strength to be open.
• Repent of wrong.
• Confess the truth.
2. Breastplate of Righteousness. (I Thessalonians 5:8, Proverbs 4:23)
• The results are love toward others and faithfulness in life.
• Learn the Fear of the Lord.
• Apply God's grace.
3. Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace. (II Timothy 2:15, I Peter 3:15)
• The results are the study of the Word and boldness to share.
• Live in God's peace.
• Live peaceably with others.
4. Shield of Faith. (Luke 7:8-9, Numbers 12:3)
• The results are being under authority and meekness.
• Hear God's Word.
• Apply God's Word.
5. Helmet of Salvation. (Hebrews 9:14, Romans 15:7)
• The results are a conscience purged and service.
• Resting in eternal security.
• Receiving others as Christ has.
6. Sword of the Spirit. (Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 4:4)
• The results are authority and life.
• Hide God's Word in your heart.
• Bring every thought captive.
7. Prayer is an assault weapon. (Matthew 26:41, I Timothy 2:1-6)
• The results are alertness and power.
• Pray for one another.
• Keep in personal prayer.
• Ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit.

1. Jesus established the local church body. Matthew 16:18, Revelation 1:11, 20.
2. God's Word commands Believers to assemble together. Hebrews 10:24-25.
3. God has ordained that the Leaders care for our spiritual well being. Hebrews 13:17, Acts 20:28.
4. The Church is a place for prayer, praise, and preaching the Word of God. Luke 19:46, Colossians 3:16, Romans 10:14-17.
5. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers share what is necessary for our spiritual growth and maturity. Ephesians 4:11-15.
6. We are to bring your tithes and offerings unto the Church. Malachi 3:10, I Corinthians. 16:2.
7. Spiritual strength comes through assembled unity. Matthew 16:18, Acts 2:1-4.
8. The body of Christ, itself, needs every member of the body. I Corinthians 12:14-27.
9. One may need to call upon the Elders for prayer. James 5:14.
10. The Church is a place where Believers may settle their conflicts. Matthew 18:17-18.
11. The Church is the proper place to receive of the Lord's Supper. I Corinthians 11:20.
12. Every Believer is to be a member of a local body. Acts 2:41, 47, I John 2:19.

CHOOSE A CHURCH WHERE:

* The Bible is the sole authority for doctrine. Psalms 119:105, II Timothy 3:16-17.

* Believers confess Jesus is the Lord. Romans 10:9-10, Philippians 2:9-11.

* Believers are submitted to each other and Godly leadership. Romans 13:1-7, Hebrews
13:17, Matthew. 20:25-28.

* Children are trained in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:7, Proverbs 22:6.

* Believers are of all ages are fed the Word of God. John 21:15-17, I Peter 5:1-3.

* Believers gather in the unity of the Spirit for prayer, Bible study, worship and ministry. Matthew 18:18-20, Ephesians 4:1-7, Acts 2:1, Romans 12:4- 5.

* Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers minister unto the body for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry. Ephesians 4:8-16.

* Everyone has the freedom in the Spirit to worship the Lord. Psalms 47:1, 134:1-2, 138:1, 150:1-6.

* Believers are encouraged to minister according to their spiritual gifts. Romans 12:6-8, I Corinthians 12:1-12, I Peter 4:10-11.

* The principles of the Kingdom are taught and practiced. Hebrews 6:9, II Corinthians 1:20, Matthew 6:33.

* Believers accept you and love you as a fellow-member in the Family of God. Romans 14:1-3, I John 4:11, Ephesians 3:15.

* Believers look forward to the return of the Lord Jesus. Titus 2:13, I Thessalonians 4:14-18, Revelation. 22:12.

1. "I have been a Christian for a number of years and I thought that the curses were taken care of when I was saved. Do I still need the breaking of the generational curses in my life?"

ANSWER: A Christian is positionally saved in Jesus Christ. When a Christian dies, he will go to heaven. Sin and iniquity are taken care of in that sense. However, until he dies, he is to work out his salvation (Philippians 2:12). This is sanctification in the present tense. Therefore it is important that we declare that old tree to be dead (Romans 6:11). This identification with the cross of Jesus helps to enable us to be free to live a consistent, righteous life.

2. "I don't feel like I should have to confess my sins or iniquities to anyone but to God. Why do I need to tell a counselor about my past?"

ANSWER: Strictly speaking you may not need to confess your sins to anyone but to God. Furthermore, you most definitely should not confess all your past failures to everyone you meet. However, the Word does tell us to confess our "faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed" (James 5:16). There are several other reasons to do this. The experience of doing this is humbling, which helps people to deal with pride. The confession also brings accountability to the individual. It also enables the counselor to help the counselee to work through the breaking of curses.

3. "I am adopted and know nothing about my forefathers. What should I do?"

ANSWER: You should go ahead and fill out the evil tree, putting the evil fruit on the tree. Include the word curses and any information about your siblings if possible. Then you assume if there is evil fruit, that it came from the roots. Remember, fruit don't just happen. Next, break the curses and sever the assumed roots.

4. "I am a parent of a three year old boy and a ten year old girl. Can I break the curse for both children?"

ANSWER: Since the three year old boy has yet to come to the age of accountability of fully knowing good from evil, it is quite important for you to break the curses over him. God will honor your authority as a parent. Praying over the ten year old girl is somewhat different. However, I believe that we often underestimate our authority in praying for others. Therefore, you should go ahead and pray over the child, recognizing that the child should also go through breaking the curses for themselves.

5. "Can a Christian be demon possessed? How can an evil spirit, and the Holy Spirit, exist in the same person?"

ANSWER: Strictly speaking, a Christian cannot be demon possessed. Possession implies ownership. Since Christians are purchased by the blood of Jesus (I Corinthians 6:19-20), they can not be demon possessed. However, a Christian may be harassed by a spirit and become oppressed and even obsessed. Another way to look at the truth is to see that man has three parts: spirit, soul, and body. When a person becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit unites with his spirit and the person becomes a new person in the spirit-man. However, this leaves the soul (mind, will, and emotions) and body available to be occupied. We need to see that possession and occupation are different. Therefore, the Christian may leave the door to his body or soul open for evil spirit occupation. In such a case, there is a tremendous inward conflict that occurs. The Holy Spirit is trying to lead the person one way, and the evil spirit(s) are pulling in another.

6. "If you are not sure whether or not you should put something on the tree, calling it evil fruit, what should you do?"

ANSWER: First, if the Holy Spirit has brought it to your mind, you should go ahead and put whatever it is on the tree. Second, I would rather attempt to get rid of something that did not exist, than to leave something evil that did exist. It is best to be on the safe side.

7. "Can generational curses be passed through adoptive parents?"

ANSWER: No. However, word curses from adoptive parents have a tremendous effect and are included on the evil tree. Furthermore, the wrong modeling of adoptive parents may bring additional temptation for one to participate in the iniquities of their forefathers. For example, maybe your birth mother was a drug addict and your adoptive mother is also a drug addict. The temptation of drug addiction may be doubled for you.

8. "I have gone once through the breaking of curses, but I still find myself falling back into the same old habits. What should I do?"

ANSWER: First, one may need to continue to break the curses over an extended period of time before the results become manifested. Second, the breaking of generational curses may be only one piece of the puzzle.

9. "What  are word curses? Why do I need to break them and how?"

ANSWER: Word curses are negative statements that people who are in authority over you have spoken about you as a person.  Word curses are blows against your identity which the powers of the enemy (Satan) would desire to fulfill in your life.  I have found that it is not uncommon that the attack will come at the point of God's purpose for one's life.  We must remember that Satan is the "accuser" of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).

We need to declare what God's Word says about us. For example, God's Word says that we, as Believers, are Saints, Children of God, which can hear and obey His voice. Therefore, we should denounce anything to the contrary.  We are not unrighteous, but righteous in Christ. We are not stupid, but wiser than our enemies. Of course, we should validate each truth with the Word. For example: "In the name of Jesus, I break the word curse spoken over me that said that I couldn't do anything right.  I declare that I can do anything that God would have me to do.  In Philippians 4:13 God says, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' Furthermore, I declare that God's Word is higher that the words of the curse. Amen."

Another example would be that we are not condemned, but free from the law of sin and death.  The Scripture would be, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-1).

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