Spiritual Slavery: Self-inflicted

Ability to do whatever feels right, whatever looks good -now. Being allowed to make our own rules, to decide what is right or wrong. The choice to obey or to disobey authority. The choice to continue a life or to cut it off. All these things are being labeled "freedom." But are they really? I fear the prevailing ideas of our corrupted society have affected believers more deeply than we realize.

The heart of the matter: a matter of your heart.

Rom. 6:16~ "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"

Eph. 6:12~ "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

2 Tim. 2:24-26~ "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."

These fruits of the Spirit, patience, gentleness, and meekness, all stem from the peace of mind rooted in total dependence on the Lord. Such attributes are neither weak nor passive. When exercised with all godliness, they are so different from the world that sinners seeking to escape the turmoil of evil will be captivated by the disposition of true Christians.

2 Pet. 2:19~ "While they[wicked people] promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."

Every Christian's goal: (should be) to be overcome with GOD.

Our method of achieving this goal: to identify and remove anything and everything that takes the place of God in our lives (idols!).

Some questions for you to ponder:

Who or what overcomes me? more specifically...

-What is the first thing I worry about? Why?

-Where is the last place I want to be(that I have to go)? Why?

-Who is the last person I want to see? Why?

-WHAT DO I DREAD? Why?

The answers to these questions can all be traced to roots of pride, bitterness, discontent, doubt, denial of God's goodness, the list could go on...

When fear and anxiety have consumed me, I have ceased to trust in the Lord. The result of this collapse in faith is discouragement - a negative perspective that serves the devil's purpose of detracting from my Christian walk.

Rom. 6:22-23~ "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

God has given us the gift of serving Him. What an undeserved privilege!

We have a Master Whose joy is to protect us from harm and give us a fulfilling life. Why then do we so quickly return to the tyrant who shackles us with the chains of stress in the dungeon of discouragement?

Satan's all too effective tactic is to appeal to our pride. He cunningly flatters us with lies. "You can handle this." "Don't waste time asking God about that; take care of it yourself." As if we could bear our burdens alone...how foolish...yet how often we believe him.

1 John 2:16-17~ "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

Ps. 55:22~ "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

Right there is a simple command with an unending promise. Active obedience results in active blessings.

Jam. 4:7-8~ "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

1 Cor. 15:57-58~ "thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Fill your mind with the Word. Purpose to find and to do God's will. Be captivated by God. Nothing can take Him from you or you from Him. Nothing can be more freeing than being wholly sold out to the Lord.