Rigorous honesty is essential in becoming entirely ready.
· Codependency, addictions and trauma usually involve a denial of truth because of the tragic and painful circumstances associated with them.
· In addition to that, many of us have been raised in shame-based families which deeply reinforces a denial of truth and distorts our perception.
· The denial and distortion of truth gives the adversary room to gain mental, emotional and spiritual strongholds in our lives.
· These strongholds magnify and exacerbate our sinful character traits which results in relational discord.
· It takes courage to be truthful about our sinful nature and admit our wrongs, but if we can, it sets the stage for true repentance to take place.
· True repentance kicks out the lies of the enemy and provides Christ the room to remove these sinful defects of character.
· We no longer need to cling to the lies of the enemy which propels us in the wrong direction.
· In this step we embrace the truth and reject these things that have held us back from loving God and one another.
· God makes us aware that changes need to happen, but in order to change us He requires our utmost honesty and cooperation.
· This step is a lifelong effort to place ourselves near the Savior so that He will change us into His likeness.
· He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6), and it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).