Removing Reproach—Breakthrough to Breakout Part 1

The spirit of distress and reproach has rested upon many Christians during this time. We need to understand what we are dealing with, removing reproach from our minds, wills, and emotions.  

Why? 

Because if distress and reproach settle into our souls, we end up walking in agreement with it. 

Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Therefore, we must clear our thoughts from any fear, distress, unbelief, and reproach if we want to take the position that God has called us to. 

What is Reproach? 

When someone is reproached, they have done something to receive criticism, disapproval, or blame. We want to move you into a place that is above reproach, so that whatever is said about you cannot stick because you are walking in the ways of the Lord.  

Not Removing Reproach Has a Cost 

If you do not get real with how you feel, you can knowingly or unknowingly lead others down the same path. This causes continued disruption and distress rather than the freedom and peace that God intends for you.  

• “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”—John 14:27 

Verses to Reflect on for Removing Reproach 

Nehemiah 1:3-4 

• “And they said to me, ‘The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.’ 
  
  “So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” 

The condition of the Jewish people and Jerusalem was brokenness, distress, and reproach. The people and their city were interconnected, both feeling the burden of an attack.  

They were “survivors,” and Jerusalem was “broken down.” Evidence of an attack. 

Nehemiah’s first task would be navigating through the destruction. He had to identify the condition of the people and the city.  

The same applies to us today. We have to be real about how we feel. The walls, which are our constitutional rights, are breaking down, being violated.  

The gates that are on fire are businesses and government, as they are under attack.  

So, let us proclaim in unity, “I will be healed! God is removing reproach in the name of Yeshua. He has set me in a large place!” 

“I called on the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.”—Psalm 118:5  

Removing Reproach—How to Move to Breakthrough 

Step 1: Removing reproach starts with identifying the feeling that is holding you back from freedom.  

Many of you have been considered and labeled as “non-essential.” Perhaps you own a small business, or you are part of a church or ministry that had to close. This loss of liberty evokes captive thinking, bringing reproach in the spiritual realm.  

This distress must be named and confessed.  

The action step to take…  

Write down whatever it is you are feeling right now. Is it fear, frustration, distress, exhaustion, or fatigue? Whatever it is, write it down.  

Step 2: Confess the feeling so that you might be healed, removing reproach from your soul.  

You have identified the feeling. You have called out to the Lord in your distress. To have a plan that leads to a breakthrough—removing reproach so it will not return—you must confess the sin and rebellious spirit in your heart.  

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”—James 5:16 

Confess it to the Lord. Consider reaching out to a believing friend and be honest about your struggle.  

The action step to take… 

Pray a prayer of confession. 

“Lord, I confess I feel distressed (or the feeling you wrote down above). But Lord, I choose today to confess my fault. I’ve written it down, and it’s been recorded. It is a sin in my soul because I haven’t trusted you to the level I need to trust in you. I have fallen short. I ask you now to reset me in the spiritual realm. I ask you now to transfer me from a place of fear, distress, doubt, anger, and fatigue to a place of faith, hope, peace, and love. Your Word says that when I call out in my distress, you answer me and place me in a broad place. I choose to agree with this Word today, in Yeshua’s name, amen.  

Step 3: Break the assignment of any trailing spirits of reproach. 

Do not be fooled that after you have broken free from the spirit of reproach, that things will suddenly become easy. The truth is you do need to continue working out your salvation. This means to daily seek the Holy Spirit, take your thoughts captive, and make them obedient to Christ.  

The Word says not to grumble and complain. However, if you do, repeat the steps above. God is faithful to His Word and wants you to walk out your faith in Him.  

Philippians 2:12-16 

• “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 
  
  “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” 

The action step to take… 

Put His Word into remembrance and proclaim it.  

“Father God, I want to do your will and good pleasure. You have moved me into a large place in the spirit realm, and I ask that you start filling up that large place with what I need to do your will. Holy Spirit, give me wisdom and strength not to complain. Put a guard over my mouth, in Yeshua’s name, amen.  

Step 4: Find an accountability partner. 

You need to ask someone who can speak truth into your life and hold you accountable for the changes that God is bringing your way.  

Acts 14:22  

• “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’” 

Having an accountability partner strengthens your soul so that you can continue in the faith during tribulation.  

The action step to take… 

Find one person to share this article with and challenge him or her to strengthen you. Commit to praying together and watch the Curt Landry Ministries Facebook Live Streams on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 PM CT. We will continue this series for a number of weeks. It will prepare you for the months ahead.  

The Takeaway… 

If you want to remove reproach, confess the feeling of distrust in the Lord and do the next right thing. Keep doing the next right thing moment by moment, and day by day. First Peter 2:15 says, “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.” (NIV) 

When you do what is right, the words and blame that are thrown at you—the ones that the enemy hopes will evoke distress—will not have a place to land.  

The Lord wants to give you rest, peace, and hope in every area of your life. Come into agreement with the Lord’s Word to David, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all” (1 Samuel 30:8). 

You are in a large place and have been set free from reproach by the blood of the Lamb. Align your thoughts with God’s and your soul will follow. Be excited about the future and hope that is yours.  

Get the FREE download of Spiritual Protection for Your Health and Your Wealth HERE! Let’s recover what was lost by removing reproach!