As we study Breaking Free by Beth Moore, we’re now halfway through our bible study lessons. Many of you have been enjoying the online small groups and Bible Cafe experience. Thank you to our amazing leadership team for leading the small groups each week. To God be the glory! Come join us for the Breaking Free Online Bible Study.

Beth Moore reminds us that “God had only one arrow in His quiver…His only Son.” The importance of God’s plan is evident from Genesis to Revelation. His plan is perfect and based on love.

According to Beth Moore, “Broken hearts can result more frequently from words than actions.” How can we guard our mouths, so we are not breaking hearts? First, we need to know what curses are so that we are not speaking them. A curse can be gossip, slander, putting someone down, telling lies, anger, division, and negative words. Next, we need to tame our tongues. What goes into our minds will come out of our hearts. So if we watch television shows about violence and sex, our mouths will speak these words as common thoughts. But if we watch healthy television, read our Bible, and listen to sermons and Christian podcasts, our mouths will speak these words instead. Guard your mouth with the content that goes into your mind and heart.

Christ wants us free to experience the fullness of the Fruit of the Spirit. And for the Holy Spirit to speak through our hearts and words, we need to know Him as we read our Bible, confess our sins, and pray.

Beth Moore found that her confession of sin allowed God to “forgive me, cleanse me, and change my responses.” Have you experienced a similar refreshment, or does confession make you uncomfortable? Maybe you experienced the childhood confessional, where you sat in a dark booth and confessed sins to a priest. Or perhaps as an adult, you confessed directly to God through daily prayer. Our confession closes the gap between the heart of God and our heart.

If we do not confess then we risk the temptation of bitterness and blame. The book Bait of Satan by John Bevere is an excellent resource for reminding ourselves to put off the offense. When we let go of these negative thoughts, our words are Spirit-filled and life-giving once again.

Open your Bible and turn to 2 Timothy 2:25-26 NLT: “Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” How can we keep from falling into the devil’s trap? We can read our Bible daily, worship, fellowship, and pray. Keeping these activities as regular habits will help us saturate in the Truth rather than in worldview lies.

My prayer is for you to see your identity in Christ, and not in a past behavior and sin. According to the Bible, your past sin is erased by God. So do not go pick up an identity that God has erased. Your identity is Christ alone.

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Christine Abraham writes for the Bible Cafe™ community. Learn about living by the Fruit of the Spirit as you enjoy her online Bible studies. Join Christine at the Bible Cafe™ University for weekly Bible teaching.