Christian Bondage?

We should not be fooled; Christians can be as much in bondage as those who do not know Christ and in some cases even more so. The devil is out to rob kill and destroy (John 10:10).  The very second we say yes to Christ we inherit a target on our backs. We become marked. When we accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we gain all power and authority leaving the devil no choice but to attack. If we are not ready and aware of his schemes we can find ourselves more bound than free. So, yes, there are times when even Christians need freedom from the chains that the enemy is trying to desperately entangle us in. Satan does not desire to watch us thrive in the kingdom. He desires to watch us fail and with flying colors, might I add, so that we can become a walking advertisement for why Christianity might not be such a great idea. Satan is not out solely to rob kill and destroy us as individuals, but he is hoping that by our bondage we will bring others down with us. What a tangled web Satan desires to weave. 

How do we know that we are being held in bondage? How would we even begin to recognize the schemes of the enemy?
I am currently working through a book, for the second time, that brings some clarity to these questions. The book is entitled “Breaking Free” by Beth Moore. I will be the first to admit that sometimes we need to review things several times before freedom can come, and other times we are simply facing new battles. Between these two reasons, I decided to read through this book again.

Beth Moore states... 
“A Christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life God has planned for him or her.”
Anything that holds us back from fulfilling God’s plans and purposes for our lives is bondage. I believe God has a good, pleasing and perfect will for our lives (Romans 12:2). But in our times of unyielding to that still small voice, we sacrifice that good, pleasing and perfect will. We can find ourselves listening to the voice of reason instead of the voice of the Shepherd. There will always be two voices, which one are we listening to?

As I continue to read through “Breaking Free” I am sure the Lord will pursue my heart and reveal areas of bondage, areas that need to be surrendered. I know that only by God’s revealing and my yielding will I be able to become more like Christ with each drop of the chain. 

Related posts on this subject: Time To Wage War, A Clean Cup

Father, thank you for showing me that there are areas in my life that I have held me back from the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life you desire for me. Help me to recognize those bondages clearly and surrender those areas to you so that I can live in freedom. Give each of us the spiritual eyes and discernment we need to recognize satan's schemes and to deal with them quickly so we do not find ourselves in chains. We ask these things in the precious name of Jesus Christ.