Bondage is a state of being a slave and under control without your permission or approval.
Bondage is always seen as witchcraft in this part of the world, but that's just one percent of what bondage is all about.
Every human being born into this world was born in bondage. We were all subject to bondage till Christ came and died for us. That's why Eph 4 says He lead captivity captive.
There are several things that can lead you back into bondage even after Christ has set you free.
This aspect is what makes people suffer the same plight of unbelievers, even though they have been saved.
As a believer you need to know the things that lead you into bondage.
One of the things that lead you into bondage is corruption.
Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Many people are in the bondage of corruption. Their minds have been corrupted by lust and worldliness. It is very difficult to commit a sin you have not been introduced to.
Most of us have been introduced to all manner of corrupt habits as we grew up that if we do nothing but those corrupt behaviors our Christianity will be a struggle.
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Corruption can lead you into bondage to the extent that even when you see a tree because of your corrupted mind you will begin to think in a particular way.
Most people can't sing many of our gospel songs because all through their SHS lives, those songs were corrupted with profanity.
The second type of bondage is the fear of death.
Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Fear of death is one of the strongest forms of bondage we have in the world. No one wants to lose his life in any form.
Just like how the fear of death has made the whole world go on a global vacation.
Many are in certain jobs not because they love it, but simply because of the fear of death through hunger.
The fear of death will make you live your whole life in bondage.
This is the strategy the false prophets use. They scare you
So you will become a slave to that false prophet because you are afraid you will die if you do not obey his instructions.
However, Christ has given us liberty from the fear of death.
The early church was not afraid of death and as a result were not subject to bondage. Today Christians can be controlled by unbelievers who are in leadership because we the Christians are in this bondage of the fear of death.
Paul said for me to live is Christ and to die is gain - Philippians 1:21. This is why the early church was a mighty church.
The third type of bondage is the yoke of bondage.
This bondage comes as a result of being unequally yoked.
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Certain associations and relationship can introduce bondage into our lives. We can enter certain partnerships and that becomes the end of our liberty in Christ.
There are some job that if you are employed, know that you can never get that freedom to go to church as you would have wanted. This is the yoke of bondage.
There are some relationships that are yokes of bondage. That individual will restrict your ability to serve God and obey the things of God.
Samson had a bright future, but his relationship with Delilah made him lose it all.
The fourth type of bondage is the bondage under the elements of the world.
Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
The elements of the world are: air, water, fire, earth. Many people are under the bondage of these four
Either they worship it in one form or another. Like those who worship the sun, worship nature, etc. Or the elements of the world can govern you unawares.
The storm wanted to control the decision of Christ and his disciples till He rebuked the storm. The elements of the earth were given authority in Gen 1:16 to rule. So if you allow them, they will rule you.
Waters and floods have kept so many economies of the world in bondage. Fires, winds, tsunamis, etc. Have all kept nations in bondage.
The good new is that God gave man dominion over everything in Gen 1:28
With this understanding did Joshua stop the sun, with this same understanding did Elijah pray for the rain to stop for three and half years. The same understand did Jesus use to curse the fig tree.
Don't be under the bondage of the elements of the world. Or one day the rain will decide whether you should go to work or not. There's a dominion power resting in your mouth that nature must obey
The fifth type of bondage is the bondage of false brethren
Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
There are so many people who have taken it upon themselves to study Christianity not because they want to change, but simply to introduce bondage on the ignorant ones.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. What He has written in His word will not change because of any reason.
Do not let someone deceive you to think God alters His word for individuals. That's a big lie.
Beware of false brethren, they are in our churches.
They always use smart words and enticing illustrations to deceive many. They will come and tell you: even if we sin
Romans 6:1-2 tell us that "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!"
Don't enter into bondage because of false brethren
Another may also come and say you don't have to eat pork, or you have to, use the Jewish calendar or you need to worship God only on Saturdays and not Sundays. All these lead to bondage.
Colossians 2:16-17 says Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of any holiday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
The sixth form of bondage is the commonest; The bondage of evil spirits
Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?
Many people are under the bondage of evil spirits and demons. They oppress, suppress and depress their victims.
Some people are possessed by demons and others are oppressed by devils. This form of bondage leads men to all forms of ungodliness. Their purpose is to make sure you don't enter the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
The final form of bondage is the one that comes through our desires
Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Our desires can lead us in a particular direction that we never thought was possible.
This is how come political leader can go to any extent just to be in power. It is the bondage of desire.
This type of bondage is the cause of rape, abuse, violence and most of our common social vices.
If you are not able to control your desires, you will be a slave to those desires, whether the desire is even good desires or not.
The desire to marry or get a partner can keep in bondage and you will even destroy someone's marriage just to get a husband.
If you understand and know all these 7 forms of bondage, you will easily escape their traps.
May God give you the grace and wisdom to overcome these forms of bondage in Jesus Name!
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