Spiritual Bondage is to Sin
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Definition and Nature
Spiritual bondage to sin refers to the state of being enslaved by sin, where an individual's actions, thoughts, and desires are dominated by sinful inclinations. This condition is characterized by an inability to break free from sinful behaviors and a persistent inclination towards actions that are contrary to God's will. The concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, illustrating the fallen nature of humanity and the need for divine intervention through Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundation
The Bible presents the idea of spiritual bondage to sin as a fundamental aspect of the human condition post-Fall. In John 8:34, Jesus states, "Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." This verse underscores the pervasive and controlling nature of sin in the life of an individual who is not redeemed. The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in Romans 6:16, "Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?"

The Human Condition
The concept of original sin, as introduced in Genesis 3, sets the stage for understanding spiritual bondage. Adam and Eve's disobedience resulted in a fallen world where sin became an inherent part of human nature. Romans 3:23 affirms, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," indicating that every person is born into this state of spiritual bondage. This condition is marked by a separation from God and an inherent inability to fulfill His righteous standards.

Consequences of Bondage
Spiritual bondage to sin has profound consequences, both temporally and eternally. Temporally, it manifests in a life characterized by moral and spiritual decay, leading to destructive behaviors and broken relationships. Proverbs 5:22 warns, "The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him." Eternally, the consequence is spiritual death, as stated in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Deliverance through Christ
The Bible offers a solution to spiritual bondage through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. In John 8:36, Jesus proclaims, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." This freedom is achieved through faith in Christ, who, by His death and resurrection, breaks the power of sin and offers new life. Romans 6:6-7 declares, "We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For anyone who has died has been freed from sin."

The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in liberating individuals from spiritual bondage. Through the indwelling presence of the Spirit, believers are empowered to overcome sin and live in accordance with God's will. Galatians 5:16 advises, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." The Spirit provides guidance, conviction, and strength to resist sinful inclinations and pursue righteousness.

Practical Implications
For believers, understanding spiritual bondage to sin emphasizes the importance of continual reliance on God's grace and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. It calls for a life of repentance, faith, and obedience, recognizing that true freedom is found in submission to Christ. Ephesians 4:22-24 encourages believers to "put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Conclusion
The biblical teaching on spiritual bondage to sin highlights the gravity of sin and the necessity of divine intervention for liberation. Through Christ, believers are offered a path to freedom, enabling them to live a life that reflects God's righteousness and glory.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
John 8:34
Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 8:23
For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 6:16
Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 7:23
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 4:3
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Peter 2:19
While they 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek
541. apaugasma -- radiance
... His eternal light breaks through all the darkness that keeps someone in spiritual
ignorance (bondage), ie every resistance exerted by sin. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/541.htm - 7k
Library

Sin is Spiritual Slavery
... It, therefore, no more excuses or palliates, than does any other self-originated
quality in sin. Spiritual bondage, like spiritual enmity to God, or spiritual ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/sin is spiritual slavery.htm

Spiritual Liberty
... It implies that there was a time when we had not that Spiritual liberty"when ... Where
the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" from the Bondage of Sin. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/spiritual liberty.htm

'Never in Bondage'
... facts of their own necessities, of their own spiritual condition, denying ... I. Our
bondage. ... profound explanation of what He meant: 'Whoso committeth sin is the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/never in bondage.htm

Introductory Chapter
... first inherited literal Canaan and the second inherited spiritual Canaan (Romans ...
his taskmasters in Egypt, and sinners are in bondage to the devil and sin. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/introductory chapter.htm

The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption.
... Verse 14:) I now see both the spiritual nature of ... own carnal, devilish heart "sold
under sin," totally enslaved ... do:" (Verse 15:) Such is the bondage under which ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 9 the spirit of.htm

"For as Many as are Led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of ...
... And to be a servant of sin is slavery under the most cruel tyrant ... certainly the Lord
will sometime arrest you, and bring you to this spiritual bondage, when he ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxvi for as many.htm

On Christian Liberty
... The form consists in deliverance from the spiritual bondage of sin and the law,
both real and economical, in the donation of the right to be the sons of God, ( ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 20 on christian liberty.htm

Whether Christians are Bound to Obey the Secular Powers?
... Wherefore those that are made children of God by grace are free from the spiritual
bondage of sin, but not from the bodily bondage, whereby they are held bound ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christians are bound to.htm

A Stanza of Deliverance
... Though we yield to sin when under conviction, yet we are no longer its willing ... When
any man is saved from spiritual bondage, it is the Lord Jesus who looseth ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/a stanza of deliverance.htm

Christ Appears in the Synagogue at Nazareth. --His Life is ...
... blind, and to bring liberty to those who languished in the bondage of sin and Satan.
But his hearers were unconscious of their spiritual bondage, and longed ...
/.../section 128 christ appears in.htm

Resources
What is spiritual bondage? | GotQuestions.org

What was the meaning and purpose of the ten plagues of Egypt? | GotQuestions.org

How can we experience true freedom in Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Bondage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Bondage

Bondage in Persia

Bondage of Israelites in Egypt

Spiritual Bondage is to Sin

Spiritual Bondage is to the Devil

Spiritual Bondage is to the Fear of Death

Spiritual Bondage: Christ Delivers From

Spiritual Bondage: Deliverance From, Illustrated

Spiritual Bondage: Deliverance From, Promised

Spiritual Bondage: Saints are Delivered From

Spiritual Bondage: The Gospel, the Instrument of Deliverance From

Spiritual Bondage: Typified: Israel in Egypt

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Spiritual Bondage and Freedom
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