Thrive Inventory of Spiritual Liabilities.
In typical 12 step recovery circles, "Inventory" is that step everyone dreads. 12 step calls it "making a searching and fearless moral inventory" and it's often a very uncomfortable deep dive into what the "Big Book of AA" calls our physical and mental liabilities.
Thrive Discovery acknowledges that inventory is crucial to the process of healing.
But that 12 step model completely omits critical information. Simply knowing our liabilities doesn't establish our war footing, A good General would also fully inventory his assets and take a good look at the theater of operation before engaging in battle with his enemy.
Thrive starts with inventory of assets so we know what we are fighting with. Our spiritual gifts, our love languages, our God-given personality traits coupled with the promises of God, our identity in Christ as an heir, the Holy Spirit as our guide, help and comforter and the Armor of God as our protection... these are amazing assets.
The environment is also important to know... Would a General enter battle without considering the terrain or weather conditions? Who's or what is nearby? So, Thrive also looks at family life, friend circles, home environment and media and technology choices.
When it comes to environment, we not only have t look at our physical world, we must also deeply investigate the spiritual environment in which we live.
Thrive not only recognizes that we all have individual spiritual gifts, we must also absolutely recognize that many believers are influenced by individual spiritual forces they may not be aware of or don’t see clearly. These aren’t always “possessions,” but oppressions, influences, and strongholds that shape how we think, feel, and react.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. This is only the top few spiritual influences that every believer must be aware of and war against. When Paul says in Ephesians, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places,” this is some of what he is talking about.
1. Spirit of Fear
God does not give a spirit of fear or timidity, but rather a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind
(2 Timothy 1:7)
How it shows up:
· Constant anxiety, worst‑case thinking, “what if” spirals
· Fear of rejection, failure, abandonment, or man’s opinion
· Difficulty trusting God’s goodness or stepping out in faith
Often mis-labeled as: “I’m just a worrier,” “I’m cautious.”
2. Spirit of Rejection / Abandonment
How it shows up:
· Interpreting neutral events as personal rejection
· Overreacting when people are late, distracted, or quiet
· Constantly feeling “on the outside,” even in church or family
· Sabotaging relationships before others can “leave first”
Often mis-labeled as: “I’m just sensitive,” “People always let me down.”
3. Spirit of Jezebel (Control, Manipulation, Seduction, Intimidation)
How it shows up:
· Needing to control people, outcomes, or narratives
· Using guilt, seduction, or emotional pressure to get your way
· Undermining spiritual authority or sowing distrust
· Charm on the surface, but manipulation underneath
Often mis-labeled as: “I’m just a strong personality,” “I’m just trying to help.”
4. Spirit of Ahab (Passivity, Abdication of Spiritual Authority)
How it shows up:
· Avoiding hard conversations or decisions
· Letting others dominate spiritually, emotionally, or practically
· Refusing responsibility, then feeling like a victim
· Peace‑at‑any‑price that leads to chaos and resentment
Often mis-labeled as: “I’m easygoing,” “I just don’t like conflict.”
5. Spirit of Accusation / Condemnation
How it shows up:
· Harsh inner critic: “You’re a failure, God is disappointed in you.”
· Constant replaying of past sins, even after repentance
· Difficulty receiving grace; feeling you must “pay God back”
· Quickly judging others’ motives and failures
Often mis-labeled as: “I just have high standards,” “I’m being realistic about myself.”
6. Spirit of Religion / Legalism / Performance
How it shows up:
· Measuring your worth by spiritual performance (quiet time, serving, behavior)
· Harshness toward others who don’t “measure up”
· Doing spiritual activities without intimacy with God
· Serving to be seen, or to feel “enough,” rather than from love
Often mis-labeled as: “I’m just serious about holiness,” “I’m committed.”
7. Spirit of Heaviness / Depression
How it shows up:
· Persistent hopelessness, numbness, or despair
· Feeling like a dark cloud follows you, even when life is “okay”
· Difficulty praising or believing anything good about the future
· Isolation and withdrawal from community
Often mis-labeled as: “I’m just tired,” “This is just my personality.”
8. Spirit of Control / Domination
How it shows up:
· Needing to manage everyone’s choices, emotions, and outcomes
· Anger or anxiety when things don’t go your way
· Using Scripture or “concern” to control others’ behavior
· Difficulty trusting God with people you love
Often mis-labeled as: “I’m just organized,” “I care more than others do.”
9. Spirit of Lying / Deception
How it shows up:
· Habitual “small” lies, image‑management, or half‑truths
· Self‑deception: refusing to see your own patterns or sin
· Twisting stories to stay the victim or the hero
· Believing lies about God’s character and your identity
Often mis-labeled as: “I just exaggerate,” “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
10. Spirit of Strife / Division / Gossip
How it shows up:
· Constant relational drama around you
· Sharing “concerns” that are really gossip or character assassination
· Taking offense easily and recruiting others to your side
· Undermining unity in families, churches, or groups
Often mis-labeled as: “I’m just being honest,” “People need to know the truth.”
11. Critical Spirit
Critical Spirit – Quick to judge or find fault, slow to show grace
How it shows up:
· looks for what’s wrong more than what God is doing,
· assumes the worst about people’s motives,
· feels superior, even if quietly,
· is slow to extend grace, benefit of the doubt, or encouragement.
Often mis-labeled as: “having discernment” or “being honest.” But this is not the heart posture.
Biblically, Jesus warns about this: Matthew 7, 1–5 – He talks about trying to remove a speck from your brother’s eye while ignoring the log in your own. That’s the essence of a critical spirit.
What To Do With This
(MEMORY STATEMENT) Recognize it. Reveal it. Renounce it. Resist it. Replace it.
Step 1: Recognize the Pattern (Awareness)“This is showing up again.”
Identify the pattern, not just the emotion
Name it honestly (fear, control, accusation, etc.)
You can’t fight what you won’t name
Step 2: Reveal the Root (Holy Spirit)“Lord, what’s underneath this?”Ask:
What lie am I believing right now?
Where did this start?
What am I afraid will happen if I don’t act this way?
This keeps it from becoming behavior management
Step 3: Renounce the Agreement“I break agreement with this.”
I renounce the lie that ______
I break agreement with fear/rejection/control
This is not who I am in Christ
This is a spiritual decision to withdraw agreement
Step 4: Biblically Combat the Influence (RESIST)
Key Scriptures:
James 4,7 — Submit to the Lord. Resist the devil, and he will flee
Ephesians 6,12 — We wrestle against spiritual forces
Matthew 4,1–11 — Jesus said, “It is written”
RESIST = Truth + Authority + Action
Speak Truth
Replace the lie out loud
Fear → God has not given me a spirit of fear
Rejection → I am accepted and chosen
Condemnation → There is no condemnation in Christ
Say it, don’t just think it
Take Authority
In the name of Jesus, I resist this
This influence has no authority in my life
I belong to Christ
Be calm and confident, not emotional or dramatic
Act Opposite the Pattern
Fear → Take the step anyway
Control → Release and trust
Rejection → Move toward connection
Accusation → Speak grace instead of criticism
If behavior doesn’t change, the door stays open
Step 5: Replace With Truth and Practice
Meditate on Scripture daily
Build new thought patterns
Practice opposite responses consistently
Transformation happens through repetition and renewal
Step 6: Reinforce in Community
Share what you’re working through
Invite accountability
Let others speak truth when you can’t see clearly
Isolation strengthens strongholds; community weakens them
PRACTICAL EXAMPLE: FEAR
Recognize: This is fear again
Reveal: I believe something bad will happen if I step out
Renounce: I renounce agreement with fear
Resist: God has not given me a spirit of fearFear has no authority in my life
Replace (Action): Take the step anyway
KEY BALANCE
Not every struggle is a demon
But every lie has a spiritual origin (And Satan is the father of lies - John 8,44)
Every believer is called to resist and renew