How to Break Cycles of Bondage

The Book of Judges depicts the first 350 years of Israel’s experience in Canaan as a constant cycle: sin, servitude, supplication, salvation, and stagnation. We also see the nation of Israel turning away from God.

Even though this is history, it still happens to us today as Christians. Many of us go through cycles in life, and fall into sin or walk away from God, and the prevalent truth remains–sin will always lead to slavery. He who sins becomes a slave of sin. Sin begins as an act that becomes bondage and develops into a cycle. The dangerous reality is that cycles can then be transferred to the next generation.

Whatever is not transformed in your life gets transferred down the bloodline.

The issues many of us deal with did not necessarily begin with us, but often stem from the iniquities of our forefathers.

“And the children of Israel said to the LORD, “We have sinned! Do to us whatever seems best to You; only deliver us this day, we pray.” So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD. And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel.”

Judges 10:15-16

2 Main Ways Demons Gain Access To Someone

There are two main ways demons gain access to a person: the legal way and the way of opportunity.

The Legal Way

Demons look for a legal way by which they may have access to a person. The legal way is predominantly through involvement with the occult or witchcraft–either by our willful decisions or those of our ancestors.

It doesn’t matter if it was by deception, curiosity, or a conscious choice; the moment you go to the dark side and engage with witchcraft or the occult, you give demons legal right to enter your life.

Demons often gain access to someone the legal way or the way of opportuniity.

Opportune Sin

The second way demons get access to a person’s life is through a sinful opportunity.

Ephesians 4:27 advises us not to “give place to the devil.” Right before this instruction, Apostle Paul warns us against certain behaviors that we are all capable of falling into.

Not all fleshly sins lead to demonization, but there is a risk if sins are not dealt with right away.

The legal right must be repented of and renounced. Opportune sins need to be broken gradually by correcting our behavior and progressively surrendering to Jesus Christ.

If you fall into sin and stay down, continue to justify and hide it, you are giving the devil a bigger window of opportunity to access your life. The best thing to do is run to God and close that door so you do not put your life at risk.

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Proverbs 24:16

What To Do If You Are In Bondage

1. You have to repent genuinely.

Saying you are sorry is not a sign of true repentance. People often repent when they have been caught or feel bad about the consequences of their sins. However, true repentance means acknowledging that you broke God’s trust and heart.

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.

Psalms 51:4

It is common for people to say they are repentant, while the truth is that they simply desire to get out of the mess their sin has made. When a person doesn’t truly repent of their sin but only repents of the problems their sin caused, they are trying to fix the symptoms instead of the problem. Genuine repentance does not require tears. Some people manipulate others with their tears. Repentance is about the brokenness of the heart.

If your eyes are crying but your heart isn’t, that is nothing but empty hypocrisy.

2. Surrender wholeheartedly.

Don’t wait for God’s deliverance before you surrender. Israel did not come to God with demands but complete surrender after their repentance.

Your surrender can usher in your complete freedom.

3. Pray for deliverance.

Before you go to ministries seeking deliverance, pray for it on your own. Why did Jesus Christ instruct us to pray this way in the Lord’s Prayer, “Deliver us from evil?” He wants us to pray for deliverance. We see Scriptures that show us how King David frequently prayed for deliverance in the Psalms.

4. Take out the garbage.

This means to remove things from your life and to remove yourself from things that you know Jesus would not like to see if He came into your house. The Israelites did this before God sent them deliverance.

5. Commit to serving God.

Make a decision to follow God faithfully, and dedicate your time and energy to knowing Him and His Word. Get plugged into a church where you can serve and grow alongside other like-minded believers.

6. Be desperate and determined.

When God sees that your desperation meets determination, He will not dismiss your case. There are a lot of desperate people but they are full of panic. Despite any failures or delays, continue to persevere.

7. Be determined, not picky for your deliverance.

The people of Israel were not delivered even after all the time that had passed and they go and call Jephthah (Judges 11).

Jephthah said to them, “Didn’t you hate me and drive me from my father’s house? Why do you come to me now, when you’re in trouble?”

Judges 11:7

The Israelites had kicked Jephthah out because of his background but decided to return to him in their time of need. In the same way, Jephthah represents somebody who can pray for you. God wants us to walk in humility because He can use anyone and do anything through us as long as we remain humble in His sight. Don’t go to God and demand the timing of your deliverance, simply surrender. God can use anyone to bring you deliverance.

If you are in need of deliverance or have bondage in your life, today is your day. God wants to set you free. Simply surrender to Him, and remove things that you know are causing delays in your life. Finding freedom is important, but the most important decision you can make in life is not the small one that can lead to your deliverance but the single, heartfelt decision to be saved.

Jesus did not come to make your old life better, but to give you a new life.

Salvation Prayer

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. Please forgive me of all my sins and wash me with Your blood. I believe You are the Son of God who died on the cross for all my sins. I surrender my whole life to You right now. Fill me with Your Spirit. Make me new and deliver me from all the shackles of the enemy. I renounce every demon, curse, and legal door that I have opened in Jesus’ name. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You.