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There are many things that we have allowed to bind us in chains – spiritually and physically. Some things, we are very much aware and others we have no clue at all. Each of us has some kind of chains in our lives that needs to be broken. Our chains can be either physical, habitual or spiritual. No matter the form of chains we may have in our lives, the good news is that God is always ready to set us free. “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you” Philippians 1:21–24 (NKJV).
Many people have vowed never to carry the same attitudes or share in the behaviors of their parents, only to discover later that they are also exhibiting the same lifestyle and even passing on such habits to their own children.
Many of us are faced with challenges that we only wonder if there are solutions. We all have different habits from childhood, which some of us have tried to break, but they seemed impossible to deal with. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” John 8:32–34 (NKJV).
Each of us has an inner desire for a real change. In some people’s lives, they could be struggling with drug addictions. Some people maybe be struggling with lying, deceiving or even stealing. Some people may also be struggling with procrastination, laziness, idleness or whatever the case maybe. In our daily lives, it can be easy to forget the strength and authority we have in His name. But the name of Jesus has the power to break every chain. The name of Jesus is the only thing we need to feel peace in the midst of our current situation. The name of Jesus is what frees us from our lifelong struggles. If we believe it in faith, then we can call on the name of Jesus and the stress of whatever we are dealing with will fall away as if a chain has been broken. Nothing will seem too big because He is bigger. He is powerful; He has overcome. “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” Colossians 3:5 (NKJV).
But when we do see these chains for what they are, when we finally loathe them for how we’ve allowed them to tie us up and limit us, when we call upon the power of the name of Jesus, He will break these chains. This power is no less significant than the immediate breaking of the chains. In fact, it can be more so.
The chains of fear don’t always show up as trembling or anxiety. Sometimes fear manifests as doubt or control. Perhaps God has challenged us to take a step of faith or obedience, and we balk. Because many doubt His word, His goodness, His provision, His power: these chains of doubt and fear will hold one back from taking the next steps of obedience. Control chains us because so often faith wants to take us where we can’t micromanage outcomes. We don’t want to let go of the wheel and trust God. We want to steer, to direct, to determine. The problem is we don’t realize that what we see as a controlling outcome is really a chain that is rooted in our fear to let God be God and exercise His sovereignty in our lives. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” Romans 8:28–30 (NKJV).
But as a Christian you also want to live like the Bible commands you to, holy and pure and free from sin. That something in you that wants to sin is still there. And deep down inside it isn’t even really what you want any more. When you feel the chains binding you, keeping you from doing God’s will, time after time then a real hate for sin is awakened in you. “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him” 1 John 3: 4–6 (NKJV).
There is power in the name of Jesus to break that chain, too. Part of this process is for us to realize just how powerful that name is, and just how good and loving that power is. Yes, when we think of unbridled power, it can cause us to tremble.
That is something to fear. But when we realize that God’s goodness and His love are as limitless as His power, and are inextricably linked together with that power, we can allow His loving power to break our chains of fear, doubt, and control and set us free to trust Him to wield that power for our good. “My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God” Psalm 62:5–7 (NKJV).
There’s power in the name of Jesus, but there are some of us who face chains that are beyond our control, such are chains of illness, some financial losses, oppressions that can’t be thrown off. I think of friends who struggle with illnesses such as MS or mental health, and though they have prayed for years to be free, they are still bound by those chains. They may need to wait until then for new bodies to be freed from the chains of pain or infirmity, but there is a freedom that comes in fully trusting God in the midst of suffering. “I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 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. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 7:21–24 (NKJV).
The Devil loves to try and use these chains against us and whisper in our ears that our sinful desires are far better than living free in Christ. “What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame” Romans 9:30–33 (NKJV).
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