House of Hope Online

January 28, 2024

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The word of the Lord last week was “Freedom.”  We saw that while the secular world defines freedom as the absence of necessity, the scriptures and the field of psychology teach us there is never a lack of needs to be met.  So, we asked the question: how can we be free if we always have unmet needs?  We found that true freedom comes only when we switch from a needs-based focus to a Kingdom focus.  Jesus said we should seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, because we cannot serve both God and money.  We saw an example of this true freedom when Paul and Silas were set free from captivity in Acts 16 by focusing on God’s will for the warden and his family, and by devoting themselves to prayer and praise in the middle of their unfair enslavement.  Finally, we saw last time that Jesus’s mission is to set us free.  In Luke 4, He quoted His mission statement from Isaiah 61: Jesus is anointed to preach the Gospel, to proclaim our release from what enslaves us, and to set free the downtrodden.

Today I sense the Lord wants me to continue in this Freedom word by focusing on the things from which Jesus sets us free.  The Bible teaches us that we have a natural tendency to return to a state of slavery.  Today we will look at why that is, and how the devil uses the following areas to enslave us.

1. Bondage
2. Fear
3. Sin

Our focus in each area will be on how Jesus, who is the Word of God, sets us free.

Bondage

The dictionary defines bondage as any subjection to a real or perceived power or influence or force.  As we discussed in the last session, we have basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter, as well as higher-level needs such as safety, love, acceptance, and self-esteem.  As those lower-level needs are met, we move up the hierarchy to satisfy higher-level needs. As such, we can be in bondage at any time to a need, or to the person we perceive can satisfy that need.  For example, if we need money for better housing, we could be in bondage to our job, or to our supervisor, who has the power to increase our pay.

Another example would be if our need for acceptance is not met, we might be in bondage to social media and our ability to get along in certain groups.  If we are in bondage to a person, we will do whatever they say to do, for fear of losing favor and having our need go unmet.

Is there someone who has us in bondage?  If we are in bondage to a person or other influence, then we are not truly free.  Our happiness and self-satisfaction will be tied to that which has us bound.  That is why Paul wrote in Galatians 5:1: “…do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”  The word “yoke” is significant, as it means being joined together in that bondage with others.  So, Paul is implicitly warning us to be careful who it is we are joining with in satisfying our needs.  Are we joining with someone who wants to set us free, or someone who wants to keep us in bondage?  Having a social circle with others who are in bondage will keep you in bondage.  The old saying “Misery loves company” rings true here.

So, how can we become free from such bondage?  Jesus points us to the Word of God.

John 8:

 31 ¶ Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, [then] you are truly disciples of Mine;

 32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Bondage is the result of deception.  The devil convinces us that we need someone or something to provide our needs, whether it is food on the table or friends at work.  Remember Jesus said in John 10:10 that the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy but Jesus came that we might have an abundant life.  Believing that anyone else or any job provides for us is believing the lie of the devil. 

Jesus teaches us in verse 31 to abide in (live in) the Word of God.  It is important to know the truth of the Word of God.  It will set us free from bondage. It will teach us to rely on Jesus for our provision, and it will teach us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  The Word will lift us from the shackles of bondage to our needs, whether they be real or imagined.

The Lord spoke a similar word into Joshua after Moses died.

Joshua 1:

 7 “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.

 8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

 9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

If we abide in God’s word, we will have success wherever we go, in whatever we do.  The word “success” in Hebrew means prosperity, wisdom, and understanding.  Daily meditation on His word will help us to be careful to live according to His book.  God’s word will teach us to prosper without relying on man, and we will have wisdom and understanding to reject the lies that might otherwise entrap us in bondage.

The truth of God’s word will set us free from bondage.

Fear

Fear is closely related to bondage, as many of us are in bondage to fear.  Fear is defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the real or perceived presence of danger.  We can fall into bondage to fear when any of our needs are unsatisfied.  Fear takes us to the conclusion that our need will never be met, again a lie from the devil.  Fear of sickness, poverty, death, physical safety, rejection, and loneliness are all examples of areas of potential bondage that will steal our joy and peace.  Fear succeeds when we do not abide in the Word of God.

In contrast to its secular definition, fear is defined in the Bible as an evil spirit that the devil uses to steal kill, and destroy.

2^nd Titus 1:

 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)

The spirit of fear is not from God.  God is our refuge.  He is our source of overcoming fear.  But fear is a spirit that wants to visit us, especially when it knows that we are not abiding in the Word.  The devil uses the spirit of fear to weaken our faith and keep us in bondage to our needs.

Romans 8 explains that bondage, or slavery, is also an evil spirit that leads to fear again.

Romans 8:

 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (NASB)

In the KJV, the word “slavery” in verse 15 is “bondage”.  Jesus frees us from the spirit of bondage and the spirit of fear by adopting us as children of God, by which we cry out “Abba! Father!”  Jesus sends the Holy Spirit, who brings the spirit of adoption that prevents fear and bondage.  The spirit of adoption also satisfies our need for love, belonging, and acceptance.  The expression “Abba Father” is a term of endearment that indicates a close, family relationship and acceptance.  We defeat the spirit of fear by submitting to the love of our Father.

In 1^st John 4 we learn that Jesus also frees us from the spirit of fear by loving us.

1^st John 4:

 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

 16 And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

 17 ¶ By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

This passage of scripture is loaded.  If we confess Jesus as Lord, He abides in us and we in Him.  Verse 16 says we have come to know and believe the love which God has for us.  Believing the love God has for us is more than just knowing about it.  Is there a part of you that feels that God’s love is conditioned on your being sin free, or on your good works?  If you feel that way, even a little, then the love is not perfected in you.  “Perfected” is a legal term meaning proven.  God’s love for us is perfected, it is proven because He sent His only Son to die for us.

The love God has for us is agape love, which is a perfect, all-encompassing love.  The Greek word for agape love means a love feast, a benevolent affection, a dear love.  In effect, God loves us more than we could love ourselves because of His benevolence toward us.  He is pre-disposed to love us, and it is His nature to be kind and generous toward us.  He cannot help Himself – He cannot not love us.  That is who He is.  God is love.

Verse 18 teaches us that Jesus sets us free from fear because this perfect, agape love casts out fear.  There is no fear in God’s benevolent love for us.  If you are struggling with fear, ask Jesus to come into your heart once again, to abide there, and to cast out that fear in love.

Sin

When Jesus said He was sent to proclaim release to the captives in Luke 4:18, He was referring to those of us who struggle with sin, who are in bondage in any area of our flesh.  In John 8:34. He teaches that anyone who sins is a slave to sin and needs to be released from that captivity.

John 8:

 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.

In Romans 6, Paul explains we are either slaves to sin, or slaves to righteousness.  It is that simple.

Romans 6:

 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone [as] slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? (NASB)

Now, sin is a wide-open issue.  There are many forms of sin that we could point to as areas of bondage from which we need released.  But for the sake of this discussion, let us narrow the scope to envy, selfish ambition, and unforgiveness because these three are closely related to, and perhaps the result of, our bondage to other needs.  For example, if money is our need, we might become jealous of co-workers’ success, and selfish ambition may be rationalized as necessary to provide our needs.  In the same way, an unfulfilled need for belonging and acceptance could prevent us from forgiving those who hurt us by excluding us from a group or event.

While the world values ambition, James 3 teaches that selfish ambition, striving, and envy are evidence of disorder and demonic evil.

James 3:

 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and [so] lie against the truth.

 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. (NASB)

In the KJV, the word for “selfish ambition” is strife.  When we strive in our own strength for promotion, rather than trusting the Lord to provide our needs, there is disorder and every evil thing.  This does not mean we should not work hard.  We should, as there are plenty of scriptures that require us to do all things well, as unto the Lord.  But James is referring to envy and selfish ambition, or striving, which are deeds of flesh.  His recipe for becoming free of envy and ambition is given in verses 17-18.

James 3:

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (NASB)

The phrases “wisdom from above” and “the seed whose fruit is righteousness” are references to Jesus, the One who frees us from the sins of envy and ambition.  Jesus’ love casts out fear, which is the spirit that leads us to envy and selfishness.  Jesus is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits. If you struggle with jealousy, selfish ambition, or any other sin, sow His seed of righteousness into your soil and make peace with Him within your spirit.  Then, the Spirit of wisdom will come from above, and the demonic will flee.  The Word will set you free.

Sin of Unforgiveness

No sin entangles us in bondage as much as the sin of unforgiveness.  Unfortunately, unmet needs can easily lead us there.  If envy and selfish ambition are present, unforgiveness is not far behind because the scripture says there is disorder, confusion, and every evil thing.

Jesus explains in Matthew 6 that we must forgive.  It is not optional if we desire eternal salvation.

Matthew 6:

 14 “For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

 15 “But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgression.

In Matthew 18, Jesus told Peter we must continually forgive even repeat offenders.

Matthew 18:

 21 ¶ Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

 22 Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Peter figured seven times was reasonable.  He was like many of us who believe a person reaches a point where their insincerity no longer deserves our forgiveness, but Jesus dispelled that theory with His response of “seventy times seven.”

The truth is: forgiveness is more about us than the offender.  If we walk in unforgiveness, we are rejecting the very essence of Jesus, which is forgiveness, mercy, and grace.  If we remain in unforgiveness, we remain in bondage to the offense.  We are the ones who lose in that scenario.

Forgiveness does not justify the sin; it just releases us from it.  And forgiveness needs to take place immediately, not after the pain subsides.  Do not wait for an apology.  Jesus forgave His murderers while He was still on the cross, while He was still in pain, before anyone apologized.  The pain He felt was part of the sacrifice that bought our salvation.

So, how can we be free of unforgiveness?  Again, abide in the Word of God and the truth will set you free.  Here is some scripture that will help you.

2^nd Corinthians 3:

 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, [there] is liberty.

As with any deed of the flesh, unforgiveness can be crucified only by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is the Spirit of forgiveness, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  We must seek Him and ask for His help to forgive, because our fleshly nature does not want to do it.  My wife Nancy taught our children when they were very young to pray this simple prayer of forgiveness whenever someone hurt their feelings:

“Father, I choose to forgive, not because I feel like it, but because it is Your will, in Jesus’ name.  Amen”

The prayer acknowledges our fleshly nature, and Paul writes that our flesh must be crucified by living and walking in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:

 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Paul also encourages us in Romans 6 to rejoice in that we were once slaves of sin, but we have now become slaves of righteousness, if in fact we present ourselves to Jesus as slaves to righteousness.

Romans 6:

 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,

 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members [as] slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in [further] lawlessness, so now present your members [as] slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

 21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.

 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(NASB)

In the Bible, the word “righteousness” is always a reference to Jesus.  When we asked Him into our hearts, we became slaves to Him, and no longer slaves to sin, including the sin of unforgiveness.  Verse 22 describes the benefits of being slaves to righteousness, which are sanctification, purification, and eternal life.

When you struggle to forgive, call upon the power of the Spirit of forgiveness, and trust that He will help you crucify your flesh, and enslave you instead to God.

Let us pray.    

Father God, thank You for the freedom that Jesus brings, freedom from bondage, fear, and sin.  Draw us to Your Word, where the truth will set us free.  Thank You for the Spirit of adoption and for the perfected love that casts out all our fear.  We pray for freedom from sin, for the wisdom from above and the seed whose fruit is righteousness.  Help us to sow that seed in peace to avoid sin.  And Lord, send Your Spirit of forgiveness to crucify our fleshly tendency toward unforgiveness.  We choose to forgive, not because we feel like it, but because it is Your will.  We present ourselves as slaves to righteousness, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.