Living in Bondage

Mark 11:25 (KJV) Says, "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any, that your Father also which is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses." Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) Says, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Hebrews 12:15 (KJV) Says, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness spring up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;" Acts 8:23 (KJV) Says, "For I perceive that thou are in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." James 1:19 (KJV) Says, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV) Says, "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry:  for anger resteth in the bosom of fools." James 4:7 (KJV) Says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Many people are living in bondage, and have failed to recognize it. The type of bondage I'm talking about is emotional bondage. It comes in the form of unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, resentment, jealousy, rejection, and other like emotions. In the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Mark we are instructed to forgive others in order for God to forgive us. Ponder for a moment the importance of that. If we don not forgive one another for our trespasses then God will not forgive us for ours. If God being perfect can forgive each of us for our sins then certainly with his help we can forgive one another. The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Ephesians also instructs us to forgive one another, and to treat one another with kindness.

The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Hebrews advises us to examine ourselves so that we don't fail of the grace of God, and allow a root of bitterness to grow in us, trouble us, and lead us into sin. The above verse of scripture taken from the book of James instructs us to listen, and to be slow in our response, and not to be quick to get angry. The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Acts makes clear that when someone is living in the bondage of bitterness it is easily noticed by those around them. The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Ecclesiastes also instructs us not to be hasty to get angry, and that anger rests in the bosom of fools. I think most of us have witnessed someone become angry in a split second, and saw how foolish they look in their anger. Finally, the last verse of scripture listed above also taken from the book of James instructs us to submit ourselves to God, and resist the devil. It also advises us that, if we will resist the devil he will flee from us.

None of the negative emotions that many are in bondage to are from God. They are straight from Satan himself. If we remain in any form of emotional bondage it will impede our walk with God, and none of us want that. Emotional bondage interferes with our prayer life, and it also can prevent God from opening the next door he wants us to walk through in life; as he will wait until we address the issue of our bondage prior to moving us forward. In short, emotional bondage of any sort acts as a roadblock in our personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is also vital to recognize that living in bondage to any of these emotions is not pleasing to God, and it does nothing but reek havoc in our lives.

I encourage you to do a self-examination, and truly consider whether or not you are harboring any negative emotion such as anger, bitterness, resentment, jealousy, rejection or the like in your heart, and if so, I urge you to address it. Once you recognize it and identify the source of it; then you can deal with it. If you do discover you are living in bondage to one or more of these emotions take it to the Lord in prayer, and ask him to help you to work through it. If you need to apologize to someone do it. If you need to forgive someone for doing you wrong in some way then please do so. Whatever you discover upon self-examination that has you living in bondage take it to God in prayer immediately, and do what you need to do in order to break out of it. You will be amazed at how freeing it is, and you will then be ready to move forward with all the wonderful things God has planned for your life.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!