Key Passage: Exodus 1:7-11

But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, "Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land." Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses.

The people of Israel were God’s covenant people. God promised them a land of milk and honey, but when they came to Egypt, they loved the good part of the land and settled in it, and did not return to their Promised Land. They prospered and multiplied temporarily, but their prosperity was cut short because a wicked king arose over Egypt that turned them into slaves and afflicted them ruthlessly.

Bondage is real. It occurs when a person is overpowered and controlled by another person or power against his will. The result of bondage is that the victim is oppressed and afflicted in diverse ways, and hindered from actualizing his potentials. The primary causes of bondages are sin and compromise. When a person steps away from God’s perfect will, he is exposed to Satan’s attack. Many a times, Satan moves into people’s lives in ways that seem harmless. Sometimes, he gives the people leeway to prosper and enjoy in their sin or failure for a little moment, and then he shows them his true color. Satan is crafty, wicked and ruthless. The Scripture says that he comes "to steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (Jn 10:10).

Many people in the world are living under demonic bondages. Even among believers, some suffer setbacks and misfortunes that are the result of demonic bondages. Others are afflicted through fear, depression and sicknesses. Satan’s purpose in holding people in bondage is to enslave them, deprive them of the blessings of life and compel them to do his will and not the will of God.

No one can fully actualize his potentials or serve God with his best when he is under bondage. That is why you must not relax if you notice any bondage in your life. Seek the help of God and cry to Him to deliver you. He will surely have mercy on you and release His power to set you free.

Pray: Lord, expose and destroy every demonic bondage in my life; help me to actualize my potentials and be the best for You to the glory of Your name.

Written by – Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi