Are there some shadows over your life? A few bad habits and practices that plague you and impede your progress? Is there any way to get rid of them and have victory?
No matter how great our upbringing may have been, each of us comes into the Christian faith with a certain amount of “baggage”—traditions, superstitions, even spiritual prejudices that hamper us. Besides that, we have an enemy who constantly tries to make us feel guilty and condemned. Perhaps we need to cancel some bad contracts.
A Profound Sentiment
Dick’s comments: During a recent DPM staff gathering, we were reading letters and responses from people who have been impacted by Derek’s teaching. One note from an inmate in a West Virginia prison was particularly profound. This is what he wrote: “I’m learning through your teachings to read the Bible like an inheritance and no longer like an indictment. I’m speaking the Promise and not the problem.”
The shift in perspective this dear brother cited in his letter is one we all need to make. It is a renewed recognition of the truth of Colossians 2:13–14 regarding what Jesus did for us at Calvary: “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us.” The New International Version says, “having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us.” The verse continues: “He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross” (verse 14, NIV).
Basically, the enemy of our souls, who is diabolically legalistic, tries to indict us by saying, “You’re guilty! You’re guilty!” But Jesus has canceled that bad contract!
Breaking Curses
Philip’s comments: In connection with Colossians 2, another similar passage comes to my mind: 1 Peter 1:18–19. It says that by the precious blood of Jesus, poured out for us on the cross, we have been redeemed “from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers.” That’s talking about getting free from the baggage mentioned earlier.
Different versions make the nature of that baggage clearer. The NIV calls it an “empty way of life”; the NASB 1995 version calls it a “futile way of life.” Regardless of what label we put on it, the Lord wants us to break out of that lifestyle, with all of its attendant baggage passed along from our ancestors. In many ways, what we are talking about is breaking generational curses over our lives, those “shadows” Derek Prince talks about so often in his teaching. The guilty “certificate of debt” Satan waves in our faces and our bondage to a “futile way of life” are bad contracts that need to be canceled.
Taking Appropriate Action
Philip and Dick: One of the side effects of the shadows that hang over our lives is that they can blind us to the solutions God has provided. Consequently, because we fail to take appropriate action, we end up depriving ourselves of what He intends for us.
Scripture attests in 2 Corinthians 1:20: “For all the promises of God in Him [Jesus] are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” As we have said before, these blessings do not kick in automatically. We must take intentional steps to make this our reality, often requiring a confrontation with the enemy. When he tries to wave his legalistic accusations in our face, declaring our guilt, it is our job to remind him of the canceled indictments that have been removed from us and nailed to the cross.
It is a powerful step and a necessary prelude to receiving God’s promises. As sons and daughters of the Lord, we must take bold action to cancel every bad contract.
Disarming Satan and His Minions
In a powerful message called “The Cross Canceled Satan’s Claims,” Derek Prince builds the foundation for us to cancel all bad contracts. First, through the forgiveness Jesus bought for us on the cross, He has made us alive with Him. Second, He “canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness” (Col. 2:14, NIV). An amazing third provision is next.
The third fact is stated in Colossians 2:15, KJV: God “spoiled [stripped] principalities and powers [Satan’s angelic, rebellious kingdom in the heavenlies], He made a shew of them openly [put them to an open shame], triumphing over them in it [the cross].” He led them in subjection and defeat behind Him.
Remember that in a Roman tribute, which Paul has in mind, the victorious general was brought back to the capital city of Rome, was placed in a chariot led by two white horses, and was led through the streets of Rome, while all the populace stood on the sidewalks, applauding, clapping, and giving him the honor. Behind his chariot were led all the nations, rulers, and commanders whom he had defeated. They were led in chains behind the chariot. They were made an open show.
Scripture says that God in Christ through the cross is now leading Satan and his principalities and powers in chains behind the chariot. He has made an open show of them. They are unarmed and they are subject to Jesus Christ. This was achieved by the cross. The particular point I wish to emphasize is that Satan and his minions were stripped of their weapons. (Many versions state that God disarmed them.) That is the meaning of Colossians 2:15. Satan’s weapons were taken away from him.
What is his primary weapon? Condemnation: the accusation and continual claim that you and I are guilty. If you read on to Revelation 12, you will find that as long as he is tolerated in the heavenlies, he will accuse us day and night before the throne of God—and it is our business, not God’s business, to silence him.
God has made it possible. We have to do it.
A Bold Declaration
As Derek’s last statement makes clear, bold action is required. In this case, it entails affirming that we are righteous through Jesus Christ, canceling bad contracts, and then shifting into a new level of life in the Lord. Are you ready to take those steps?
Dear Lord Jesus, I proclaim that you have won complete victory over Satan and any claims he has against me. Colossians 2 says that you not only wiped out the enemy’s indictments against me, but You also “disarmed principalities and powers,” making “a public spectacle of them.” Your victory is complete!
I stand in this victory now, rejecting every accusation of the enemy, rebuking every generational curse in my family, and deliberately stepping away from the futile way of life passed along to me from my ancestors. By the power of Your blood, I move out of condemnation into complete, total freedom and a new way of living.
In Your name, Jesus, I cancel every bad contract written against me. Amen.
Standing With You
This is a new day for you and me! We may have been unaware of the power of the enemy’s bad contracts in our lives. But with our proclamation, we have dealt with them for all time. From now on, we can stand firm in the freedom we have just declared.
All of us at Derek Prince Ministries want to support you and stand with you in your new-found freedom. One way to establish a firmer foundation as we build upon our liberty in Christ is through the teaching of Derek Prince. He had a unique ability to make the Bible understandable, and also to make us aware of critical areas of spiritual action that we need to take. That is certainly true of “The Cross Canceled Satan’s Claims,” the message from which we drew Derek’s earlier quote. We know it will help in your building process, and it is yours for the asking—free of charge.
It is our great privilege to provide Derek’s life-changing materials and to stand with you in your progress in the Christian faith. Thank you so much for connecting with us in such a wonderful way and for supporting us with your prayers and financial gifts.
No More Indictments
To end this letter, we want to return to the note from the prison inmate quoted earlier. “I’m learning through your teachings to read the Bible like an inheritance and no longer like an indictment.” That transition in our approach to the Word, to God’s acceptance of us, and to our ongoing service for Jesus Christ is absolutely essential.
As indicated in the thoughts we have shared and in Derek’s excerpt as well, the process begins by removing the enemy’s indictments: canceling “the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us” (Col. 2:14, NIV) and leaving behind a futile lifestyle that we were practicing in ignorance. All bad contracts.
Now, with greater freedom and joy, we can move forward in our relationship with Jesus Christ. We can walk in the power of His great promises for us, serving Him with confidence and effectiveness. All because we took the first step: canceling bad contracts.
Sincerely in Christ,
Philip Wyns
President, DPM-USA
All the best,
Dick Leggatt
Executive Consultant/Senior Editor
