SEARCHLIGHT
What do you do when something that is unhealthy or destructive has control over you?
SCRIPTURE
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abrahams's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:31-36 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
As a young boy, Archibald Rutledge was always catching and caging wild things. He was particularly drawn to the mockingbird so he caught one so he could hear it sing. Young Archie placed the cage outside his home. Pleasantly surprised, he saw a mother bird fly to the cage and feed the young bird through the bars. However, the following morning, he found the young bird had died. Later, Archie spoke to a famous ornithologist named Arthur Wayne, who told him,
“A mother mockingbird, finding her young in a cage, will sometimes take it poisonous berries. She evidently thinks it better for one she loves to die rather than live in captivity.” [James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, Tyndale House Publishers 1988, P225]
Jesus thinks far differently. He has a wonderful plan for your life. Jesus wants you to live free from any captivity and bondage. To shake off the shackles that bind you and get out of your prison, you need a starting point. Begin by remembering 2 things when you are imprisoned, enslaved, confined, in bondage, or being held captive to drugs, pornography, guilt, selfishness, fear, anxiety, or finances. Remember Jesus Christ’s purpose and power.
Christ’s purpose in coming to earth was to set the captive free. When you need help, you look for an expert in that field to help you. If you need medical help, you see a doctor but if you need legal help, you see a lawyer. You don’t go to a plumber or electrician. When in bondage, you go to Jesus because He declared His purpose was to set captive people free from bondage. From this point on, begin to believe that Jesus’ purpose for your life is for you to be totally free to live a life that glorifies God. He said He was the way, the truth, and the life. [John 14:6] He tells the truth because He is the truth. Now read again the above Scripture passage. When you trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord, He sets you free from the slavery of sin which is the mother of all captivity and bondage. You are NO LONGER BOUND OR CAPTIVE.
Jesus declared His mission in the Nazareth synagogue when He stated “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” [Luke 4:18,19] As a believer, you need no longer be bound by Satan’s curse to keep you imprisoned to sin, fear, guilt, oppression, or addiction. Jesus came to set you free. He brakes every chain and fetter which binds you to your old life. He sets you free from your prison, releases you from your oppression, and heals you so that you fully recover to live for Him.
The second thing to remember is that Jesus' name is all-powerful. Speak the name, “Jesus,” when you feel confined. The Bible says that demons tremble at the mention of Jesus' name. [James 2:19] When the disciples returned from ministry, they clearly knew this because they gave their reports to Jesus as to how people had been set free. [Luke 10:17] When Jesus delivered people from oppression, the demons would identify Jesus as the Son of the Most High God. [Mark 5:6-8] Paul the Apostle emphatically declared that at the name of Jesus someday every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. [Philippians 2:10,11] Pray in Jesus' name. Call out to Jesus. Praise His name. Give Jesus glory and honor. As different composers have put it, “There’s just something about that name…Jesus name above all names…There is power in the name of Jesus, break every chain, break every chain…Jesus breaks every fetter and He sets me free.”
Your freedom from bondage is found in believing in Jesus' purpose and power. He will set you free as you praise His name. Proverbs 18:10 states, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” [NKJV] Run to your strong tower, Jesus Christ. Enjoy the freedom and safety that only Jesus can give you. Ready, set, go!
SOMETHING TO DO
What do you have to do to experience the freedom Jesus has provided for you? Perhaps you need to get closer to Jesus by spending more time reading His Word or praying. Maybe you just need to learn to speak the name of Jesus when negativity begins to oppress you. You can declare that you are free from all enslavement through your Savior’s name.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I come into Your presence knowing that what You say is true. You have set me free from sin, so I am thanking you that I am also free from all bondage. You are me Savior, Lord, and Healer. Thank you for breaking the chains of doubt, anxiety, pride, and so much more. I praise Your name, Lord Jesus. AMEN!