Anyone whose lifestyle is based on what is in vogue among unbelievers is in captivity. If you are not thrilled about the things of God, you are already in bondage. The irony is that those who are already entrenched in worldly affairs see God-fearing believers as a set of people who have unnecessarily denied themselves of enjoying their life. You probably have heard someone say, “I’m sick of your preaching about salvation. Please, don’t put me into the bondage of your message of Jesus Christ.” This is one out of the many similar responses and comments from people who are dining with the devil.
Let it be clearly known that anyone who is not on the side of what is right in the sight of God is in captivity. Furthermore, you must adopt a hygienic lifestyle because an old proverb says cleanliness is next to godliness. You must also be identified as someone whose yes is yes, and whose no is no.
Anyone who does not walk according to the word of God falls into a ditch of satanic manipulation. Some supposed Christians don’t study the Bible, they simply act on what their pastors teach them. Such people who are under ungodly or uninformed shepherds are often misled. Jesus asked His disciples this question in Luke 6:39, “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?” The written word of God must be your compass, leading you into all things. This is why the scripture says in Psalms 1:1-3 that anyone who is led by the word of God is blessed and it compares such a person to a tree planted by rivers of water which brings forth its fruit in season and that whatever he does, prospers.
What Do You Do When You Know You Are In Captivity?
Perhaps from the foregoing, you have discovered that you are in captivity. The right question now is, “what do I do when I find myself in captivity?”
The first thing you need to do is to cry out for help. You may want to ask, how does a man under the cloud of darkness get help without falling into deceitful hands?
It is quite possible because those living in darkness know that there is light and recognize one when they see it. For example, in the story of the mad man of Gadarene as written in Mark 5:1-7, as terribly possessed as the man was, the Bible says when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him. He cried out unto Jesus for help and the legion of demons inhabiting him departed and his destiny was restored; he immediately took up his divine call of evangelism.
Jabez is another relevant Bible reference point. He was a man who as a result of his mother’s negative statement against him at birth found himself grow up with a curse of stagnation. In 1 Chronicles 4:10, he cried unto the God of Israel for enlargement of coast and the Lord granted all his requests. Blind Bartimaeus also recognized Jesus while he was passing by; he cried out unto him and the Lord restored his sight (Mark 10:46-52).
How Can You Remain Free From Captivity?
The first step is to acknowledge that you are actually under the shackle of a situation beyond your control. Patiently recollect every mistake or sin you have committed in the past, go ahead and confess them, then ask for forgiveness. The scriptures concur with this position as written in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The strength of your restitution will keep you off repeating the same errors that drew you into the captivity in the first instance.
Perhaps you are saying, my captivity was not as a result of sin but an attack or consequence of a natural disaster. This is possible, like we see in the story of the young man born blind in John 9:1-3. The disciples had asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.”
Notwithstanding the situation that led to your captivity, you need to ask for the mercy of God so that His purpose can be fulfilled in your life. Have a grateful heart towards the Lord who set you free and open your heart to Him for divine guidance.
You need to go further and promise God that you will remain faithful in all your conducts and ask for His help to sustain your vow. It is essential to know that you cannot do anything by your might or power but by the Spirit of the Lord (Zachariah 4:6). You equally need to humble yourself at His word. In Psalm 119:11, King David said, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
When the word of God lives in you, it becomes more difficult for you to fall into the traps set by enemies of God.
To become an irresistible terror to the kingdom of darkness, you need to join forces with true brethren in prayers and fasting. In Deuteronomy 32:30, the Bible says, “one shall chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight.” Likewise, Proverbs 27:17 establishes that “iron sharpens iron”, and Hebrews 10:25 admonishes believers not to forsake the assembly of the brethren.
What To Do Not To Return To Captivity
There are two occasions in the scriptures where Jesus admonished people to “go and sin no more.” The first was the man healed of a 38-year ailment at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:2-14). The second was the woman allegedly caught in the act of adultery in John 8:4-11. For you not to return to even more frightening captivity, you must not toy with sin any more. Refuse to be intimidated by satanic forces.
Second, develop a strong passion for soul winning wherever you find yourself. Keep this in mind: for every soul you win into the Kingdom of God, there is joy in heaven (Luke 15:10). You must also be prepared to die for the course of Christ. Nothing should be difficult for you to give to God. You must have time for God, be fully involved in kingdom projects and establishments (2 Corinthians 12:15). Paul the Apostle in Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Also beware of the little foxes the Bible says destroy the vine. Those inimical acts of yours you consider not big things may be digging your grave. Remember, the Bible says all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17). To maintain your victory in the Lord, you must be vigilant.
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