BREAKING FREE FROM BONDAGE
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: John 8:36 – "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Supporting Texts: Isaiah 61:1, Galatians 5:1, Romans 8:1-2
INTRODUCTION
Bondage is any condition that keeps a person in captivity, preventing them from fulfilling God’s purpose for their life. It manifests in various forms, including spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, financial, social, and generational bondages. Many people, even believers, struggle under unseen chains that hinder their joy, progress, and relationship with God. However, the good news is that Jesus came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). No matter the nature of the bondage, there is power in Christ to break every chain and bring complete deliverance.
Many times, bondage is not just physical but spiritual in nature, affecting the mind, emotions, and even family lineage. The enemy seeks to keep people enslaved through fear, guilt, sin, and oppression. Some are bound by addictions, unhealthy habits, or demonic strongholds that keep them from experiencing true freedom. Others struggle with financial setbacks, ancestral curses, or toxic relationships that drain their strength and destiny. The reality of bondage is evident, but even greater is the power of God to break it.
To break free from bondage, one must recognise its existence, seek divine intervention, and apply biblical principles for deliverance. True freedom comes when a person surrenders completely to Christ, renews their mind with God’s Word, and walks in obedience to His instructions. Through prayer, fasting, faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit, every chain can be broken. Today, as we engage in the Word and prayers, may every yoke of bondage be destroyed in Jesus' name!
1. SPIRITUAL BONDAGE
Spiritual bondage is the most dangerous form of captivity because it affects a person's soul and eternal destiny.
a) Enslavement to Sin
Romans 6:16 – Sin makes a person a slave to the devil and separates them from God. Those who live in sin remain in spiritual chains.
b) Idolatry and False Worship
Exodus 20:3-5 – Serving other gods, engaging in occult practices, or relying on superstitions can place people under spiritual bondage.
c) Demonic Oppression
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – Involvement in witchcraft, sorcery, or ancestral covenants allows demonic forces to control a person's life.
d) Religious Legalism
Galatians 5:1 – Some people are enslaved by religious traditions that replace faith in Christ with rituals and human doctrines.
e) Biblical Example: The Demon-Possessed Man (Mark 5:1-20)
A man in Gadara was bound by demons until Jesus set him free, proving that no spiritual bondage is too strong for God's power.
2. EMOTIONAL BONDAGE
Emotional bondage keeps people trapped in feelings that hinder their joy and progress.
a) Fear and Anxiety
2 Timothy 1:7 – Fear keeps people from stepping into their God-given destiny.
b) Depression and Hopelessness
Psalms 42:5 – Many people suffer from depression due to past experiences, loss, or failure.
c) Rejection and Low Self-Worth
Isaiah 49:15-16 – Feeling unloved or unwanted can lead to emotional isolation.
d) Anger and Resentment
Ephesians 4:26-27 – Holding onto anger can lead to bitterness and an inability to forgive.
e) Biblical Example: Elijah’s Depression (1 Kings 19:1-10)
After defeating the prophets of Baal, Elijah became afraid and depressed, but God restored him through divine encouragement.
3. MENTAL BONDAGE
Mental bondage affects the way people think, leading to destructive behaviours.
a) Negative Thought Patterns
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 – Wrong thinking leads to wrong actions.
b) Deception and False Beliefs
John 8:44 – The devil deceives people into believing lies about themselves and God.
c) Addictions to Unhealthy Habits
Proverbs 23:7 – Addictions, whether to drugs, pornography, or harmful lifestyles, keep people in bondage.
d) Self-Condemnation and Guilt
Romans 8:1 – The enemy uses past mistakes to keep people in shame.
e) Biblical Example: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24)
The prodigal son was mentally enslaved by wrong choices until he came to his senses and returned to the Father.
4. PHYSICAL BONDAGE
Physical bondage limits a person’s ability to live freely.
a) Sickness and Disease
Luke 13:11-13 – Some illnesses are a form of satanic oppression.
b) Addiction to Substances
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Drugs, alcohol, and other addictions enslave people.
c) Sexual Immorality
1 Corinthians 6:18 – Sexual sins open doors to physical and spiritual affliction.
d) Poverty and Lack
Deuteronomy 28:47-48 – Financial struggles can limit a person’s ability to fulfil God's purpose.
e) Biblical Example: The Woman with the Issue of Blood (Mark 5:25-34)
She suffered for twelve years until she encountered Jesus and was set free.
5. FINANCIAL BONDAGE
Many people are enslaved by money problems, affecting their peace and faith.
a) Debt and Financial Mismanagement
Proverbs 22:7 – Debt makes a person a slave to creditors.
b) Greed and Materialism
Luke 12:15 – Some people pursue wealth at the cost of their souls.
c) Lack of Giving and Generosity
Malachi 3:8-10 – Financial bondage often results from disobedience in tithing and giving.
d) Financial Curses and Setbacks
Haggai 1:6-7 – Disobedience to God can cause financial struggles.
e) Biblical Example: The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16)
She broke free from financial lack through faith and obedience.
6. SOCIAL BONDAGE
Social bondage occurs when a person is controlled by external influences.
a) Peer Pressure and Wrong Associations
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad company corrupts good morals.
b) Manipulation and Control
Galatians 2:4 – Some people live under the influence of controlling individuals.
c) Cultural and Traditional Strongholds
Mark 7:8-9 – Some traditions keep people in spiritual bondage.
d) Fear of People’s Opinions
Proverbs 29:25 – Seeking human approval can hinder God’s purpose.
e) Biblical Example: Peter’s Denial of Jesus (Luke 22:54-62)
Peter denied Christ out of fear of public opinion but was later restored.
7. GENERATIONAL BONDAGE
Generational bondage occurs when negative patterns run through family lines.
a) Ancestral Curses and Patterns
Exodus 34:7 – Some struggles are passed down from previous generations.
b) Family Cycles of Failure and Struggle
Lamentations 5:7 – Unbroken curses affect descendants.
c) Inherited Sinful Tendencies
Psalms 51:5 – Some people battle inherited weaknesses.
d) Witchcraft and Occult Practices
Leviticus 20:6 – Some families suffer due to past involvement in dark practices.
e) Biblical Example: The Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 1:8-14)
They were in generational bondage until God sent Moses to deliver them.
CONCLUSION
True freedom is found only in Jesus Christ (John 8:36). To break free from bondage, one must:
1. Repent and surrender to Christ (Acts 3:19)
2. Renew the mind with God’s Word (Romans 12:2)
3. Engage in prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21)
4. Break ungodly covenants (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
5. Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16)
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord Jesus, I surrender my life completely to You; break every chain of bondage in my life.
2. By the power in the name of Jesus, I renounce every evil covenant and satanic agreement working against me.
3. Father, destroy every generational curse and ancestral bondage affecting my family and destiny.
4. Lord, set me free from every sin, addiction, and habit that keeps me in captivity.
5. I receive deliverance from every form of emotional and mental bondage in Jesus' name.
6. Every spirit of fear, depression, and anxiety in my life is broken by the power of the Holy Ghost.
7. Lord, release me from every financial bondage; I break free from debt and lack in Jesus' name.
8. By the authority of Christ, I command every demonic oppression over my life to end now!
9. Father, connect me to divine relationships and separate me from associations that keep me in bondage.
10. I declare that I am free indeed, and no power of darkness shall hold me captive again in Jesus' name!
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You are free from every bondage in Jesus’ name!
2. No power of darkness shall hold you captive again!
3. Every chain of limitation is broken in your life!
4. You will walk in divine health, prosperity, and victory!
5. Your destiny is released from every captivity!
You are free indeed!
