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question on bondage

W

withfresheyes

New Member
I have some questions on the topic of bondage and strongholds. I am interested in getting the thoughts and opinions of my brethern. Can a child of God be held in bondage in regard to any subject and how do "bondage" and "strongholds" relate to one another? I have many questions and concerns but will hold off on the others for nwo. Thanks guys !
 
Certainly a Christian can be under bondage, there are Christian slaves to this day in Sudan, and it isn't as if slaves where freed in North America when they converted. There are many Christian slaves throughout history, out belief doesn't exempt us from such bondage but rather teaches us how we ought to live with it.

I suppose in the proper sense Christians should ALL be under bondage as we bind ourselves to Christ and 'take up our cross' with him.

It only relates to strongholds in that slavers would sometimes take new slaves there after a battle to be distributed.

If I had to take a stab at guessing what you mean I would say that when we go to serve Christ our eyes on or the Stronghold of Zion? We become bound to keep our eyes on the Kingdom. I guess that is the best relationship between the terms 'bondage' and 'stronghold' that I can think of.
 
Yes, it is hard to know just what area you are speaking of. If you are talking about spiritual bondage then I think Christians can be in bondage but it is not the same as the bondage an unsaved person can have. Those not in Christ have no hope for release, but those in Christ have a release, though sometimes they are not aware of the power of Christ to help them, or this power is never applied.

And there is bondage to sin, drugs, porn, habits, over-eating, etc.
 
I'm reminded of the story in Acts of Peter in prison. God put the guards to sleep. God released his chains, and opened the prison doors, and (if memory serves) sent an angel to lead him outa prison. But Peter had to get up off of the floor and WALK out! Angel didn't carry him out and dump him at the closest Starbucks, with a wad of cash and a new cell phone, so to speak.

This last Sabbath, a dear sister who is in obvious bondage to some of the issues Weltan just mentioned said, "Now don't be praying for me that I'll CHANGE. I want God to bless me, but don't want anyone praying that I'll change! Then I wouldn't be ME, and I LIKE me!" Uh-HUH!

Jesus done bore ALL our iniquities and diseases onto the cross. Our release from bondage to sin and disease BOTH is a done deal. But we gotta walk on out. And sometimes we just don't want to. Or know how to. Or what to do with ourselves if we did. So we stay right there, complaining all the while. Maybe even blaming God for showing favoritism by helping someone else but rejecting us.

But it isn't God's fault. The chains are loose, the door is open, the guards are rendered ineffective, and an angel is hanging around somewheres to lead us outa our place of bondage (mine is named "Jimmy"), but we still gotta DECIDE and get up off'n our considerable backsides and hoof it on out da door!

... in the opinion of one who spent way too many years complaining and feeling rejected 'cause he didn't get the Magic Carpet to Starbucks treatment. *sigh* But is having a great time walking on out NOW!!!
 
As I always try to do, I look back to the Word of God as my resource in response. Based on my study of the Word, I see no evidence that a child of God can be held in spiritual bondage.

Here is what the Word DOES say:

  • We are beyond condemnation (Romans 8:1)
    We are delivered from the law of sin (Romans 7:6)
    We are near to God (Ephesians 2:13)
    We are delivered from the power of evil (Colossians 1:13)
    We are a member of His Kingdom (Colossians 1:13)
    We are justified (Romans 5:1)
    We are perfect (Hebrews 10:14)
    We have been adopted (Romans 8:15)
    We have access to God at any moment (Ephesians 2:18)
    We are part of His priesthood (1 Peter 2:5)
    We will never be abandoned (Hebrews 13:5)
    We have an inheritance (1 Peter 1:4)
    We are a member of His body (1 Corinthians 12:13)
    We possess every spiritual blessing possible (Ephesians 1:3)


These scriptures form the foundation for our authority over the enemy (Satan and his hosts). Matthew 28:18 tells us that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore He alone is able to commission others with authority to do His Father’s will. Luke 9:1 is particularly instructive to our understanding of this truth in that it offers us insight into Jesus’ dispensing of His authority. He (Jesus) called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to cure diseases. Since Jesus is the only one who has the authority, He is the only one who can truly give it to another – the disciples in this case, and to us in the broader sense that we are now His disciples for this age.

The basis for our authority lies in the fact that we are in Christ and we have been redeemed by His work on the cross. Therefore we have a legal basis for our authority – authority in Christ is our legal right. Jesus said, "Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you" (Luke 10:19). We have authority in Christ and He is praying for us to be effective disciples (John 17:8-11, 20).

By submitting ourselves to God and exercising our authority in the name of Jesus we are more powerful than the enemy. 1 John 4:4 tells us that He (Jesus) who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. This realization is foundational to our ability to exercise authority over the enemy and experience God’s freedom.
 
Based on my study of the Word, I see no evidence that a child of God can be held in spiritual bondage.
Click to expand...

No offense, Doc, but I think I would have to disagree, at least to the extent necessary without engaging in wordsmithing about who is 'fer sure' a "child of God", and what it means to be in "spiritual bondage" as opposed to other more obvious kinds, like slavery, oppression, and bondage to debt, or "another master".

I have a wife, currently in rebellion, who was and obviously remains in spiritual oppression, based on the witness of fruit like false witness and adultery. I continue to pray for her, intercede for her, and stand in faith that she will one day repent and be delivered. That, however, is not the central issue in my response today. (It comes too close to the digression about whether a "believer", as if we were able to know or judge that condition in another, can be "possessed", or merely oppressed...and the whole subject of demonic influence. Ultimately, I believe a husband can and should cover his wife and his house - but she can continue to act in rebellion and "leave the door open" unless there is genuine repentance.)

So, instead - I'll say it this way.

I certainly see much evidence in modern-day Amerika of many self-proclaimed "believers" who seem to be very much in bondage; not only the things listed above, but to debt, ignorance (or "lack of knowledge", resulting from rejection of it) and Caesar, or the "prince of this world". Yahushua confirms over and over again what Joshua, Elijah, and numerous other prophets confirm. (Joshua 24:15, I Kings 18:21, etc.) We have a choice of Who we serve.

Note, too, that He did not argue when Satan offered Him the "kingdoms of the world" about whether or not they were his to give.

And the Deceiver is persistent, and experienced...almost to the point of duping "even the elect". The fact that our Savior warns us more than once that we "cannot serve two masters" seems like a sufficient demonstration to me that we CAN indeed be deceived into bondage. What is, I contend, most important is that we have a Kinsman-Redeemer who has paid that debt. But there still is a time to "come out of her".
 
Mark,

I come from a rich Pentecostal tradition, so let me assure you that if anyone on the forum should be championing the issue of spiritual bondage, it should be me LOL! We have been 'casting out devils', and 'binding Satan' in services, church camps and campmeetings for a long time. However, while I recognize that Satan does have an INFLUENCE on believers, and their circumstances, I am simply not seeing spiritual bondage of the believer in the Word. Now, my classmates from Bible college may twinge to hear me say that, but if I am to be a 'Berean', then I have to submit to that authority.

To me, the issue of spiritual bondage neglects the issue of free will. In other words, to say that I have acted in a certain way or sinned in some manner because 'the devil made me do it', seems to run counter to the idea that we can choose to sin or not.

Too often, Satan gets blamed for a lot of things that people do of their own free will. When you get right down to it, the heart of man is often more evil and malicious than hell itself.

Now, I am not going to sit here and deny that Satan can influence lives: I see evidence of that in the Old Testament in Job, and various places in the New Testament. In fact, Jesus in Matthew 16:23 directly addressed Peter and said he was being influenced by Satan. However, I see no evidence in the New Testament that a believer, in whose heart the Holy Spirit lives and abides, can share residence with evil. Nor do I see any evidence in Scripture that once a believer has been set free, that he can remain or return to state of spiritual bondage (John 8:36-He who the Son has made free is FREE INDEED).

There is an additional consideration. Satan and his evil host can do nothing the Lord does not allow them to do (Job 1-2). This being the case, Satan, thinking he is accomplishing his own purposes, is actually accomplishing God’s good purposes, as in the case of Judas’ betrayal. Some people develop an unhealthy fascination with the occult and demonic activity. This is unwise and unbiblical. If we pursue God, if we are clothing ourselves with His armor and relying upon His strength (Ephesians 6:10-18), we have nothing to fear from the evil ones, for God rules over all!
 
Regarding Strongholds . . .

Dear fresheyes,

You also asked a question regarding 'strongholds', and I will give you my take on the subject.

First of all, the word 'stongholds' appears only one time in the New Testament:

Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

Using that verse, here are some points to consider:

1) Our battle is not planned according to the way this world fights; earthly stratagems are not our concern.

2) Our weapons are not physical, for our warfare is spiritual in nature. Rather than guns and tanks, our weapons are those of the “full armor of God” and consist of “the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:14-17).

3) Our power comes from God alone.

4) God’s plan is to demolish spiritual strongholds.

What are these “strongholds” or “fortifications” we face? In the very next verse, Paul interprets the metaphor: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). The “arguments” are the philosophies, reasonings, and schemes of the world. The “pretensions” have to do with anything proud, man-centered, and self-confident.

Here’s the picture: the Christian, wearing his spiritual armor and bearing his spiritual weapons, sets out to “conquer” the world for Christ, but he soon finds obstacles. The enemy has erected strongly fortified garrisons to resist the Truth and attempts to thwart God’s plan of redemption.

  • A. There is the fortress/stronghold of human reasoning, reinforced with many subtle arguments and the pretense of logic.
    B. There is the fortress/stronghold of passion, with flaming battlements defended by lust, pleasure, and greed.
    C. There is the fortress/stronghold of pride, in which the human heart sits enthroned and revels in thoughts of its own excellence and sufficiency.

(Hmmmm....three points, add a nice opening joke and a heartful illustration at the end, and you have a pretty good Sunday morning message, LOL!)

The enemy is firmly entrenched; these strongholds have been guarded for thousands of years, presenting a great wall of resistance to the Truth. None of this deters the Christian warrior, however. Using the weapons of God’s choosing, he attacks the strongholds, and by the miraculous power of Christ, the walls are breached, and the bastions of sin and error are battered down. The victorious Christian enters the ruins and leads captive, as it were, every false theory and every human philosophy that had once proudly asserted its independence from God.

Sharing the Gospel is not the only time we see resistance. We can also face demonic strongholds in our own lives, in our families, and even in our churches. Anyone who has fought an addiction, struggled with pride, or had to “flee youthful lusts” knows that sin, a lack of faith, and a worldly outlook on life are indeed “strongholds.”

The Lord is building His Church, and the “gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). What we need are Christian soldiers, totally surrendered to the will of the Lord of Hosts, who will use the spiritual weapons He provides. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7).
 
withfresheyes said:
I have some questions on the topic of bondage and strongholds. I am interested in getting the thoughts and opinions of my brethern. Can a child of God be held in bondage in regard to any subject and how do "bondage" and "strongholds" relate to one another? I have many questions and concerns but will hold off on the others for nwo. Thanks guys !
Click to expand...

"The Bondage Breaker" by Neil Anderson is an excellent book on this subject. I highly recommend it.
Blessings,
Fairlight
 
Doc,
Very well done, indeed. May I add the stronghold of false teaching that enslaves with a form of bondage. Believers that do not know the liberating truth of the Word, often follow blindly in the traditions they have been trained in. Thanks for your very good treatments on this thread.
 
To me, the issue of spiritual bondage neglects the issue of free will. In other words, to say that I have acted in a certain way or sinned in some manner because 'the devil made me do it', seems to run counter to the idea that we can choose to sin or not.
Click to expand...

This is an important statement.


But, what I was getting at has its roots in 2 Peter Chapter 2, especially verse 9


While they (the world, those against God) 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.

On which Weasly comments,
While they promise them liberty - From needless restraints and scruples; from the bondage of the law. Themselves are slaves of corruption - Even sin, the vilest of all bondage.

When someone brings up bondage in Christian circles they jump on to talking about bondage to sin or Satan and thus often respond no, but I often see neglected

Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Servants here being the very same word that bondage is in 2 Peter. We choose to make ourselves under bondage of Sin and slaves of Satan or under the bondage of Righteousness and Slaves to Christ. Christ as Master gives Liberty, that is truely said, but its a Liberty we taste only after we bind ourselves to him. So yes, a Christian not only can be under bondage but Must be under bondage to Christ. As far as we are bound to Christ we cannot be bound to Sin, and as far as we are bound to Satan we cannot be bound to Righteousness, we cannot serve two masters. That said Doc has to be right, as far as a Christian is in the Word following Christ and thirsting for Righteousness he cannot be under the bondage of sin. But without "engaging in wordsmithing about who is 'fer sure' a "child of God" :), There is no clean way to practically settle weather any given individual who says or does any particular thing can or cannot be oppressed or demon possessed. I will say that certainly simply professing belief is not enough, as I have seen myself someone who professed to be a Christian but was certainly reprobate and in the end sought out demons and became possessed (fun :roll: )

In so far as the world promises Freedom it puts people under the Bondage of Sin, so there is no truely Freeman, though we may choose who we serve... The only way we have any liberty is if our master gives it, and I'll just say outright, the Devil wont give it :twisted:
 
Bondage vs Stronghold

I think you would have to know Greek to answer that question. A lot of people make big deals about English words that are a lot of nothing, because the Bible was not written in English.

Unfortunately I do no yet know enough Greek to answer your question.
 
I would recommend you study the cross, and the Resurrection as it applies to living a moral life. And memorize Romans chapters 6 and 8 as well as other Bible verses that involve the practical power of the cross and Resurrection as it applies to living a moral life. This should help with most any sinful addiction. Also sing songs about Jesus death and Resurrection while thinking about how it can help you live a moral life, and about forgiveness of sin. And pray on the basis of Jesus death and Resurrection to help you live a moral life. When you are tempted to sin, remember that you do not have to sin, and count yourself dead to sin and if possible get out of the situation. If you persistently live this lifestyle it will help free you from sin. You may experience doing bad things while simultaneously memorizing scripture and this may make you feel like a hypocrite. But do not stop memorizing scripture, praying and singing because of bad actions, for if you continue you will eventually stop doing these bad things so persistently. By the way I am not saying that you will be saved by good deeds, nor am I saying that "you have to sin."
 
Some people think demons may attack people physically. Sometimes even when someone does not provoke an attack by sin. Like especially if they are angry that you did a good deed or something. Or especially if someone was involved in demonic activities in the past or present. Of course if a demon kills a saved Christian, they can only send them to a good afterlife, so it is not anything to worry about, especially on account of Christians are not supposed to worry.
 
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