Sola Dei: Healing Wounds from Your Past
"I believe God loves the world through us. We are real co-workers and carriers of his
love. Especially in times like these when people are trying to make God 'was', it is you
and I, by our love, by our compassion, who prove to the world that God 'is' “
-Mother Teresa
Enemy Footholds: Understanding the Intake Questionnaire
Who is the enemy?
Names of the enemy include accuser, destroyer, adversary, opponent, murderer,
devil, dragon, the enemy, father of lies, thief, god of this world, prince of this
world, ruler of darkness, serpent, tempter, evil one, wicked one.
Satan is also known as Belial, which means ―worthless one,‖ and Beelzebub,
which means ―lord of the flies‖ or in other words, ―god of the dung heap.‖
Demons – what exactly is it that we’re dealing with?
Fallen Angels
And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and
the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they
lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient
serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was
hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. (Revelations 12: 7-9)
Be aware that demons do exist, but don’t give them too much attention.
Being fallen angels, demons seek to be worshipped and will gravitate towards things not of
God that people venerate or idolize.
They made him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their
detestable idols. They sacrificed to demons, which are not God— gods they had
not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear.
(Deuteronomy 32: 16-17, emphasis mine throughout this document)
What are some of the idols in our lives today?
How does the enemy operate?
Note some of Satan’s characteristics from the following passage from the Book of Job:
One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD,
and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, "Where have
you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through
the earth and going back and forth in it."
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job?
There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who
fears God and shuns evil."
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"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around
him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his
hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out
your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on
the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the
LORD. (Job 1: 6-12)
What can we learn about how the enemy operates from this passage?
How powerful is the enemy?
The enemy cannot do what God doesn’t allow them to do; neither can they do what we don’t
allow them to do.
We give permission to the enemy through:
Footholds - these include unconfessed/unresolved sins such as anger, bitterness,
guilt, lust, unforgiveness, and pride.
Legal rights – see last week’s handout for a list of things that could give the enemy
entry into our lives and legal rights over us.
Agreements – when the enemy whispers lies such as ―you’re not worthy‖ and we
agree with it, we are, in effect, cursing ourselves.
Unhealed wounds also act as a foothold of sorts; they make us more vulnerable to
making agreements with the enemy.
Whom does the enemy target?
Those on assignment from God (or will receive a future assignment)
But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in
thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted
to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us.
(1 Thess. 2: 17-18)
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to
Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and
teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall
never happen to you!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You
are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but
the things of men." (Matthew 16: 21-23)
Those who are new to the faith or are growing in Christ
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The Parable of the Sower
As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate
it up. (Matthew 13:4, Mark 14:4)
"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the
path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from
their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” (Luke 8: 11-12)
Those who threaten the enemy’s plans (e.g. missionaries, deliverance ministers,
key members of a ministry team)
Unsaved people who could potentially get saved
Those with unresolved/unconfessed sin.
What makes us vulnerable to attack?
Remember the acronym, HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. Being in any one of
these four conditions lowers our defenses, making us more susceptible to giving in to
temptation and/or making agreements with the enemy.
Preventive measures
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you
know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of
sufferings. (1 Peter 5: 8-9)
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(James 4:7)
Resist temptation, don’t give in to sin, and submit to God!
Know God’s Voice
The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own
sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on
ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will
never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not
recognize a stranger's voice." (John 10: 3-5)
Do you listen to Jesus enough (through the Word, prayer, and obedience to his
commands) to recognize his voice?
The greatest defense/offense in spiritual warfare: intimacy with Jesus
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier
gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.
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(2 Timothy 2:3-4)
Is your life pleasing to Jesus?
Instead of focusing too much attention on ―rats,‖ spend more time making sure that
the ―house‖ is clean and the ―trash‖ is taken out regularly. Rats hide in the shadows
and scatter when you turn on the lights – do you allow the light of God to shine on
your life?
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him
there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the
darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is
in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his
Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify
us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to
be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1: 5-9)
We, as believers, need not fear the demonic, for Christ is in us.
This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is
already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them,
because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
(1 John 4: 3b-4)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The
life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me. (Galatians 2:20)
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their
word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they
also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory
which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in
them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may
know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
(John 17: 20-23)
In closing:
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in
your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you
authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the
enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to
you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10: 17-20)
What is a foothold?
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"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and
do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:26-27, NIV)
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give
place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27, KJV)
In the original Greek text, the word for ―foothold‖ was topon, or ―place,‖ here used
metaphorically to mean ―opportunity‖ or ―license.‖
A foothold is a place that allows the enemy access to our lives.
A foothold is an opportunity that allows the enemy access to our lives.
A foothold is a license that allows the enemy access to our lives.
A foothold is also often referred to as a legal right for the enemy to harass people.
How do rats and roaches try to get into your home? What attracts them?
How does the enemy try to get into your life? What attracts them?
Does the enemy cause us to sin?
No! Footholds are a result, not a cause, of sin.
We ourselves are responsible for the sins we commit. The enemy can tempt us,
but they can’t make us sin, as we all have free will.
We have a choice to resist or give in to temptation, and God tells us that we will
always have a way to resist.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he
will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he
will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. -1 Corinthians 10:13
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
-James 4:7
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you
know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of
sufferings. -1 Peter 5: 8-9
Common footholds include unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, guilt, shame, curses, and vows.
Other footholds are found in a person’s spiritual history.
Brief definitions of occult terms
□ Ancestor Worship – involves making offerings to the spirits of the deceased and a
belief that these spirits still have influence over our lives.
□ Astral Projection- out-of-body experiences
□ Automatic Writing- when the writer’s hand forms a message, through writing or
typing, without the writer’s conscious thoughts.
□ Bahaism- a religion founded in Persia in which Jesus is regarded as just one of a
line of messengers that includes Buddha and Muhammad.
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□ Black Magic- a form of witchcraft; often involves casting spells on people.
□ Card Laying- a form of divination, using cards.
□ Edgar Cayce - a late 19th century/early 20th century celebrity psychic. Though he
claimed to be Christian, his unorthodox teachings included astral projection,
reincarnation, and more.
□ Channeling- allowing a spirit to enter one’s body and speak through them.
□ Christian Science- denies the deity of Christ, the Godhead, and the sinful nature of
man.
□ Clairvoyance- a form of ESP.
□ Crystal Ball- a tool for divination.
□ Curses - done intentionally with occult empowerment. Please note that curses are
not limited to the occult—a curse can also be words said over someone by people in
authority, including parents, teachers, and even pastors. You can also curse yourself
by making an agreement with the enemy.
□ Jean Dixon- astrologer and psychic
□ E.S.P. - Extra-Sensory Perception; the purported ability to acquire information by
paranormal means.
□ E.S.T. - Erhard Seminars Training, a New Age course for personal development
created in the 1970s. Currently known as the Landmark Forum. Has elements of
Zen Buddhism and Scientology.
□ Eckankar- religion that involves soul travel (AKA astral projection), reincarnation,
chanting of mantras, and more.
□ Fortune Telling – in any of its forms.
□ Horoscopes – fortune-telling through astrology.
□ Hypnosis – subconscious suggestion
□ Jehovah’s Witness – denies the deity of Christ, the Trinity, the bodily resurrection of
Christ, the visible return of Christ, the Person of God the Holy Spirit, and more.
□ Levitation – to be suspended in mid-air by non-physical means.
□ Masons – also known as Freemasonry. Often includes secret rituals, dedications,
vows, etc. Many degrees of involvement including Job’s Daughters. The god of
Freemasonry is Lucifer. Watch for murder, suicide, depression.
□ Metaphysical Healing – healing by spirits, crystals, and other psychic means.
□ Mediums – those who contact spirits and facilitate communication with them.
Clearly forbidden in Deuteronomy 18: 11.
□ Mind Reading - a form of E.S.P.
□ Mormonism – believe that ―as man is, God once was; and as God is, man may
become.‖ Believe that Lucifer and Jesus were brothers. Believe that Mormons can
one day become god of their own planets.
□ Night Terrors/Sleep Paralysis – a sense of being fully aware but unable to move
during sleep, often accompanied by disturbing visions or sensations.
□ Numerology- fortune-telling with numbers derived from birthdays, numerical values
of names, etc.
□ Occult Literature – even a casual reading of it can get you ―slimed.‖
□ Ouija Board – a divination tool packaged as a board game and sold at toy stores.
Related to automatic writing.
□ Palm Readings – a form of fortune telling
□ Psychometry – a form of ESP in which the seer makes physical contact with an
object and obtains information through paranormal means.
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□ Qi Gong AKA Chi Kung- Some forms of these meditation/breathing exercises can
open the doors to spiritual oppression, especially when it involves channeling qi or
chi (life force energy) from nature and animals.
□ Reiki –a spiritual practice developed in Japan that involves healing through the
hands. Reiki translates into English as ―mysterious atmosphere‖ or ―spiritual power.‖
□ Reincarnation – belief that people die and are reborn over and over again.
Scriptures tell us, ―and as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the
judgment…‖ - Hebrews 9: 27 (NKJV)
□ Rosicrucian – related to Freemasonry, involves belief in alchemy and astrology.
□ Satanic Ritual Abuse – various practices that may include blood sacrifice, sexual
rituals, etc. as a part of worship to Satan and to gain occult power.
□ Satanism – worship and allegiance to Satan.
□ Science of the Mind – denies the deity of Christ and that the Bible is the literal Word
of God; the existence of the devil, sin, heaven, and hell.
□ Scientology – a body of beliefs and related practices initially created by American
Science Fiction author L. Ron Hubbard.
□ Séances – a gathering in which contact with the spirits of the deceased is attempted.
□ Shamanism - a range of traditional beliefs and practices concerned with
communication with the spirit world. Includes ―traditional healers,‖ witch doctors, folk
religion/medicine, and Korean mudang.
□ Shintoism- a religion characterized by the worship of nature, ancestors, polytheism,
and animism.
□ Silva Mind Control - A program claiming to be able to raise people's IQs and to give
them paranormal abilities by teaching them to think with their right brain hemisphere.
□ Spiritualism - its distinguishing feature is the belief that the spirits of the dead can
be contacted by mediums and can therefore provide living people with information
about the afterlife.
□ Transcendental Meditation – involves chanting and emptying oneself of self.
□ T. Cole Whitaker – New Age teacher.
□ Tarot Cards – used for fortune telling.
□ Water Witching - refers to the practice of detecting hidden or buried water, metals,
gemstones, or other such objects without the use of scientific apparatus.
□ Witchcraft – many forms but generally derives spiritual power from occult (demonic)
sources.
□ White Magic – ―benevolent‖ magic that supposedly counters black magic.
□ Unification Church – ―Moonies;‖ founded by Sun Myung Moon, who claims to be
the Messiah sent after Jesus supposedly failed.
□ Unity Church – part of the ―New Thought‖ movement; involves metaphysics.
□ Yoga – sometimes, it’s just exercise; however, some forms include the evoking of
demonic spirits through chanting and meditation. For example, Kundalini is
envisioned as a serpent goddess lying dormant at the base of the spine who can be
awakened through certain yoga exercises.
□ Zen Buddhism – involves the emptying of one’s mind.
Two key definitions:
Occult: the word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine, hidden,
secret), referring to "knowledge of the hidden"; supernatural practices and
techniques.
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Cult: followers of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices; followers of
an unorthodox, extremist, or false religion or sect who often live outside of
conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
Why must believers avoid any participation in occult activity?
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who
practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts
spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. (Deuteronomy 18:
10-11)
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a
part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons. (1 Corinthians 10: 21)
What about non-Christian beliefs and practices that include physical healings,
prophecy, and other supernatural signs and wonders? Isn’t all healing good, and
therefore, of God?
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are
from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how
you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ
has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus
is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming
and even now is already in the world. (1 John 4: 1-3)
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed
in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that
deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth
and so be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2: 9-10)
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not
surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end
will be what their actions deserve. (2 Corinthians 11: 14-15)
Note: When praying for someone with occult activities in their history, it is important to
address the following:
soul ties – any kind of unwholesome or sinful tie to another person
curses (others and self)
time bomb curses
enemy assignments
inner vows
agreements
generational curses and sin
dedications
II. Addictions and Sexual Behaviors
□ Affairs
□ Alcohol
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□ Bestiality
□ Exhibitionism
□ Drugs
□ Fetishism
□ Fornication
□ Frotteurism - the non-consensual rubbing against another person for sexual arousal
□ Incest
□ Lustful Thoughts
□ Massage Parlors
□ Masturbation
□ Obscene Phone Calls
□ Phone Sex Services
□ Pornography
□ Promiscuity
□ Prostitutes
□ Rape
□ Sadomasochism
□ Voyeurism
Note: When praying for a person that has been involved with the above behaviors, be sure to
address:
lust
intimate relationship bonding (consensual and non-consensual)
inability to bond in a wholesome relationship
soul ties (when sexual images or experiences are stored in memory)
transference of demons
loss and recovery of innocence
forgiveness (particularly forgiveness of self when dealing with abortion)
shame
guilt
Also, when praying for someone with substance addictions in their past or present, be
vigilant in looking for entry of demonic spirits, especially with hallucinogenic drugs.
III. Loss and Grief
□ Abortion
□ Death
□ Divorce
□ Miscarriage
□ Murder
□ Suicide
When praying for wounds from loss/grief, specific items to address include:
Murder/Homicide Suicide Abortion
Spirit of Death Self destruction Guilt
Hatred Despair/depression Shame
Violence Hopelessness Regret
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Anger/Rage Rejection Miscarriage
Unforgiveness Discouragement Spirit of
Guilt Despondency Destruction
Revenge Death wish Hatred of children
Spirit of Molech
Praying and addressing items in the 3 categories listed above (the occult, addictions
and sexual behaviors, loss and grief) often includes, but is not limited to:
1. Confession of sin and repentance of behavior (if applicable)
2. Renouncing the sinful behavior
3. Forgiveness of others
4. Forgiveness of self
5. Cleansing prayer
Prayer for Renouncement of Things Past
Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather,
we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort
the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to
every man's conscience in the sight of God. (II Corinthians 4:1-2)
Heavenly Father, I thank you that you are loving, gracious and merciful to me
and that you desire for me to live free from any guilt or shame. I ask you for
your healing touch and complete deliverance from those things that have kept
me from knowing you more fully and from experiencing your love, approval
and acceptance of me. In Jesus name, Amen.
START:
Lord Jesus, I renounce all of my past involvement with ______________.
Please forgive me for my involvement with ________________. (Wait for an
answer)
Once you have dealt with every area of past involvement then conclude by praying:
FINISH:
Lord Jesus, I accept your complete forgiveness for each of my sins which
has been made possible by your shed blood. I now choose to forgive myself
and to walk in the freedom of your forgiveness by your grace and mercy.
In Jesus name. Amen.
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