I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.

1 John 2:14

As I copied those words down in blue ink in the early hours of the morning, Holy Spirit helped me to see that this is the truth, I just have to believe it. I’ve shared about my battles with codependency before, which simply means I struggle with taking accountability for my own actions, emotions, and choices in relationships because I want others to meet my emotional needs. (whew! That was humbling to say!) Haha, but it’s true! 

There was a time where my face would flush and my stomach would recoil at admitting those words, but now, I say them without shame. But as I read those words this morning, those words penned down by my spiritual father, John, the one who got Jesus’ love, understood it, and was enveloped by it, I realized: He is empowering me. I am strong. God’s word does live in my heart. I have won my battle with the evil one. I have won my battle with codependency. 

I just have to believe it. 

I was never one for “name it and claim it” or “you just have to believe in your breakthrough!” sermons. I thought that they were devoid of the believer’s personal responsibility to obey the word and that they misled people into believing promises that may never come true in their lives. But, I’m learning, I need to be more faithful, more believing, in order to step into the place of victory which Christ has already won for me. 

For years, I missed the fact that Jesus paid it all, killed it all, and did away with it all on the cross. The cross is a deep spiritual reality. Recently, I was watching Kung Fu Panda 3 and Po finally allowed the different aspects of himself, being a panda, a son, a student, a teacher, and the dragon warrior to come all together. As he did so, these golden ribbons of light began to flow around him. Likewise, when I was meditating on the cross recently, I envisioned those same golden ribbons of light coming out of Jesus as He hung on the cross and they consumed and obliterated sin. He got rid of it, He disarmed it, that is the spiritual reality. So that means Jesus disarmed codependency for me. He has given me victory over it already, I just have to choose to believe it. 

I used to think that belief wasn’t enough if there was no action behind it. And part of that is true. But I’m starting to believe that belief is enough, for it is the seed of victory, and today, I am choosing to believe that I am victorious over codependency. And I’m believing that for you too.

I’ve said this before, but for years I have been a Christian atheist. I didn’t truly believe God could do powerful things in my life and I didn’t focus on what Jesus did and does for me everyday. If Jesus said He died to release me from the influence and power of my sin, then that is what He did. He already saved me from co-dependency because He is my savior. I am starting to believe it. 

One Practical Step: 

If Jesus is my savior who set me free from my sin, then I already am free. I am learning to think about what it looks to walk in that freedom and from a place of victory. One thing I am beginning to do is just meditate on truth more everyday. And as I do, I know the truth will become a part of me. 

The truth is I am free from sin, it has no hold on me, only Jesus has a hold on me. 

Love and Light, 

Kourtney Naomi