18“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19 NIV
Jesus is the chain breaker! We do not need to remain in chains because Jesus broke the yoke that binds us. Bondage is defined as a compulsion to do something, slavery or involuntary service, captivity, imprisonment, and restraint of a person’s liberty by compulsion.
Held Captive Through.....
There are many types, and varying degrees of bondage and all have a root and an entry point. Sometimes we are genetically or generationally predisposed to a form of bondage such as addiction or sickness, other times we put ourselves into captivity through our unhealthy and ungodly choices. Some examples of how we can be held captive are through:
Illness/pain
A Need to fill a hole in our lives
A Need to fit in
Trauma
Rejection
Rebellion
Childhood dysfunction
Experimenting with drugs or alcohol
Exploring various sexual identities and sexual partners
Whatever or whomever individuals submit their will to obey, become slaves to it (Rom 6:16). The results of such things can be religious bondage, addiction to lust such as porn, adultery, homosexuality, as well as idolatry in the form of worship of money, drugs, sex and many other idols. A person may become a “servant to corruption” in various areas including criminal behavior, because of a need to provide money for addiction. Others may not be able to forgive those who hurt them or they may have an urge to control others because of their insecurities and fear. Still, others become addicted to competition, ambition, and achievement, functioning in a performance driven perfectionist mindset. Fortunately for believers in Christ, there is an answer. The blood of Jesus has the power and authority to set the captive free.
Jesus said He came to give life and abundantly. He also informed us that Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy (Jn 10:10). Our choices can lead us into demonic bondage whereby we need to get delivered before we can embrace healing. Jesus demonstrated to us a need for deliverance for those who were bound in shackles.
A Legion
In the gospel of Mark, we read of the testimony of a man who was so bound that even physical shackles and chains could not hold him. We are not given the exact reasons how this man became demonized, but we can see the results.
2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. - Mar 5:2-5 NIV
Although this man was able to break himself free from physical chains, his soul was bound which completely disabled his entire life. When this man saw Jesus, he ran to Him and fell on his knees in front of Him. This is the action of a desperate man. As soon as this man cried out to Jesus, the demons cried out as well. He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God's name don't torture me!" - Mar 5:7 NIV
The “he” that shouted “don’t torture me” was the controlling demonic spirit in the man. When you read this account in its full context, you can see the demon begins to plead with Jesus on behalf of the “Legion” (many demons) that were with him. They wanted to be sent into a herd of swine and not the arid places. The Scriptures tell us that Jesus permitted these spirits to go into the pigs.
After Jesus delivered this man he was found “sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.” For whatever reason, the people were afraid of what they witnessed. However, the man that was free went about Decapolis (multiple cities) telling everyone of what was done for him. He became an evangelist!
Often we are bound by demonic spirits that are assigned to keep us from our God-given destiny and calling. These spirits keep us from a holy life that is filled with the praises of God. God inhabits the praises of man, and the enemy knows it. Satan was Lucifer before he betrayed and rebelled against God and as Lucifer, he was the worshipper in Heaven. Now, as Satan, he makes every attempt to steal the praises of men to God. He is determined to kill the worshipper in people, but first, he must bind them. The devil’s best success at his agenda to steal worship is through bondage.
Bitterness Poisons the Soul
Simon the Sorcerer was a man bound by unforgiveness that led to bitterness which led to the sin of a lust for power, even to the point of wanting to purchase the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Peter said to Simon, "For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity" (Acts 8:23). Bitterness poisons the soul and iniquity causes bondage. The way to freedom is repentance and renunciation. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. - Act 8:22 NIV
Jesus said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” - Mat 15:19 NIV Bondage begins in the thoughts, moves to the heart and begins to take on the action. We must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ before we can resist or conquer sin (2 Cor 10:5).
When we allow our thoughts to be a storehouse of negativity, jealousy, lack of trust, unforgiveness, hatred, envy, lust, and everything else that defiles a body we will eventually be consumed physically and spiritually. There is a way to walk in freedom, a way to walk in the Spirit so that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Gal 5:16). To walk according to God’s ways, one must first submit his or her will to the Father. We must admit our dependency on God because this causes us to be humble, allowing God’s grace to come forth.
Let’s Pray,
Heavenly Father, I admit that I have been independent of You and as such have gotten caught up in some things that can lead me into bondage. I repent and ask for Your forgiveness, in the name of Jesus Christ. I also pray for Your help to get through this time in my life of dependency on things that are not holy. You are the Deliverer, and You promise to respond to me if I seek You. I’m seeking. I am promised that if I submit to You and resist the devil that he will flee from me. Today I fully submit my life to You and resist the Tempters schemes to comfort me falsely. Your Spirit is my Comforter and when I find comfort in anyone or anything else it is short lived. Thank You for giving ear to my cries and setting me free. In Jesus name, Amen.