"Beliefs produce behavior...

Believing things that aren't true produces sinful behavior.  What we believe will be seen in the way we live.  Conversely, the way we behave is invariably based on what we believe to be true-not what we say we believe, but what we actually believe." 

"As a man  thinketh in his heart, so is he" - Proverbs 23:7

Nancy Leigh DeMoss in Lies Women Believe
 
Nancy also writes that every act of sin in our lives begins with a lie.  We listen to it, we dwell on it until we believe it and then finally, we act on it.  When we first reject the Truth and violate God's Word one time, it can seem like just a little matter.  But then the next time we are tempted we find it easier to sin.  It just becomes easier and easier until we've worn a groove in our hearts, a sinful pattern.

Here is a list of issues in which we are prone to fall into bondage...

• overeating
• an eating disorder
• substance abuse
• anxiety
• fear
• depression
• chronic emotional disorders
• pornography
• lust 
• fornication
• homosexuality
• overspending
• greed
• stinginess
• anger
• lying
• the need for approval
• excessive shyness
• talking too much
• addiction to TV, romance novels

We need to ask God to identify our areas of bondage. Once they are identified we should not just try to eliminate them.  We have to "pull the bush out by the roots."

After we've identified the area of sinful behavior then we need to identify the lie at the root of that bondage or behavior.  What lies have we listened to, believed, and acted on that have put us in bondage?  Roots are generally hidden beneath the surface and lies are deceptive.  We need the Lord to help us see what we have been believing that is not true.

Finally, we need to replace the lies with the Truth.  Satan's lies are powerful but the Truth is even more powerful.  Each lie must be countered with the corresponding Truth.  Where we have listened to, dwelt on, believed, and acted on lies, we must begin to listen to, meditate on, believe, and act on the Truth.  This is how we move from bondage to freedom, by the power of God's Spirit.

The Truth will set us free...