Captivity is a state of mind. What carries you away?
John 8:36
 
The children of Israel were carried away into captivity many times, usually by their own doing because they were disobedient to God. In our lives, captivity is a state of mind more than a physical restraint, but the outcomes and results are the same: we are bound, dejected, defeated, blind, and anxious. Being carried away into captivity typically happens over time, but it doesn't always feel that way. One day we are free and one day life happens, and then- seemingly all of a sudden- we find ourselves chained.
 
In the Old Testament, while the Hebrews were being held captive in Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus the Great showed up and released them from captivity so that they could return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. The temple was where they worshipped God through sacrifice and prayer. While captive in Babylon, the Hebrews were not always free to worship the Lord their God. Remember: there once was a decree that went out that there was to be no prayer, yet Daniel prayed, fervently and faithfully, every day (Daniel 6:1-10.)
 
Once, after some reflection, I realized that I had also been carried away and was being held captive. I was captive to an idea, to something other than God, and it had all of my attention. I was not worshipping God in spirit and truth. I was not walking in my freedom that Jesus had secured on the Cross. John 8:36 says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” When the children of Israel were in Babylon, they needed a liberator: one who would allow them to return to God and His laws. That was Cyrus. We also needed a liberator. That is Jesus. When we allow ourselves to go into spiritual captivity, we are denying the sacrifice of Christ. We are rejecting His finished work, instead focusing on our own ideals.
 
The blessing in this is once we realize that we are spiritually captive, we have the Word to help us remember our freedom and run back to it. Again, spiritual captivity is a state of mind as well as a matter of the heart. We have options to help us bring our minds and hearts back to where they should be: we have the Word, we have our spiritual leaders, we have our Christian family and friends to agree with us to once again walk in the freedom secured for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. If we happen to get carried away into captivity, we already possess the key to our own liberation through faith in Him.
 
Prayer for Release: Heavenly Father, I am so thankful to You that I do not have to remain in captivity because You sent Your Son to secure my freedom forever. I ask that Your Holy Spirit come and help guide me through Your Word and through Your divine appointments to the place where my chains are broken and I am released.