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Enslaved to deadly addictions and sinful desires?
We Can Break Free!

Welcome to my Blog! 

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today, I am reflecting on Zach Williams’s song Chain Breaker; click HERE for the video.

It has been written that if you place a frog in a pan full of lukewarm water and slowly start increasing the temperature, the frog will enjoy the environment until the water boils the frog, and it dies.

Not us, right? We are more intelligent than frogs. We can sense the danger a mile away and jump the pan. Right?

In American society today, drug use and trafficking are through the roof. The porn industry is growing and addicting people in record numbers. Human trafficking to feed the porn industry is very high. Cigarette smoking and vaping are addicting our young children at an alarming rate. Alcohol abuse is destroying so many careers and marriages in America. The internet has become a place of worship; we cannot stand to be away from our phones for just a few moments.

If we are so bright, then why is it so hard to stop smoking this stuff, getting drunk, and looking at that nasty stuff on the internet? Degrading our bodies as just an object of pleasure. What about our children watching porn on prime-time tv? Why is it so hard for people to stop lusting after immoral sexual situations? Why is it so hard to stop wanting more and more and coveting what others have?

These are questions so many of us ask from time to time. We know these actions and habits are wrong. We know the Holy Bible calls them sins. We know these actions will lead to destruction, not only for ourselves but also for our loved ones. We often pray to God for help but end up in the dark again. Our conscience bearing witness of our wrongdoings, Romans 2:15-16

Why can’t we stop?

Could we like this stuff so much we are unwilling to let it go? Could it be that we want the excitement of it, and without it, we become bored and dull?

When I desire my own sinful desires more than my God, my own sinful desires become chains to me. Believe it or not, many of us walk daily with heavy chains. The key to unlocking the chains is easily accessible, floating right in front of us, yet we cannot reach the key. Many give up, get used to the chains, excuse the chains, and, like the frog, pay the consequences.

Many souls give up on God because they figure God does not love them because of their baggage, habits, burdens, and chains. Frequently, we ask, Is God listening? Does He care?

When God does NOT listen!

If I had cherished sin in my heart,  the Lord would not have listened;  
Psalm 66:18 NIV

Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.
John 9:31 

If we love our sins (chains) more than God, His Word, and His commandments, God will not listen to us. God respects our choices and our wills. He will not force us into His will. We have to yield control to His will. Then, He will start to listen, and He Will respond.

When God listens!

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Psalm 51:17

A contrite heart is a repentant heart. An afflicted heart prays for freedom from sin, freedom from the chains, and the key to victory.  A contrite heart grieves because it loves God and His Word yet feels it cannot break free from the shackles. We know we cannot reach the key alone, on our own power (Read Romans 7).

So, how do we get the key, the victory, to break our chains for good?

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! John 14:6

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 
Matthew 11:28-30 

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
John 8:34-36 

Notice that Jesus did not say, “whoever sins,” but he said, “commits sin.” The Greek word commit implies “practice” sin, to make or purposely cherish your sin. It is a conscious effort on our part, sometimes thinking God will forgive us later (this is a presumptuous sin). Click here to learn about this nasty sin.

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. 
Luke 5:32 

Jesus came to grant freedom to repentant, contrite sinners.  If we are repentant sinners with chains, He will break our chains and give us freedom. You just have to ask and receive freedom through faith. The problem lies in accepting and taking action, not the promise itself.

Jesus is no longer physically with us, but He has sent the Helper, the Comforter, to help us in our struggles. Jesus promised the Comforter will live in us! 

The Comforter is the Holy Spirit. 

If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:15-18

My friends, if we are repentant in our hearts and desire to follow God’s way, God’s Word, and God’s Commandments, there is a way. It is not by our power or will, nor found by being religious. Our sinful habits and addictions may seem too hard to overcome, but it takes just a tiny faith to move a mountain.

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
Matthew 17:20 

Do our chains feel like a mountain? The Holy Spirit will conquer if we let Him!

So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”
Zechariah 4:6-7 

In closing, my friends, take these steps, and your chains will break!

1-Repent! (Matthew 3)
Repent of your sins in your heart, not your head. Be willing to give them up for God. Read Romans 12:1

2-Trust Jesus! (John 3)
Read my salvation page here if you have not prayed for Jesus to save you. It describes why Jesus had to die for our sins.

3-Trust the Holy Spirit! (Read Romans 8)
This is the key! Once you trust Jesus for salvation, He will send the Holy Spirit to you and empower you to remain free of your chains. Call on Him when you are weak; He will set you free. You must not doubt; just believe He is working in you!

4-Pray in the spirit always, without stopping! (Ephesians 6:18)

5-Seek fellowship with believers! (1 John 1:7)

I wrote this blog reflecting on the song “Chain Breaker” and as a testimony. Soon, I will celebrate two years of not drinking a drop of alcohol. I used to drink every night, and it almost cost my marriage! The Holy Spirit will help you if you let Him!

Abba Father,
I pray that you never take Your Spirit from me, for He is my Helper, my Comforter. Without His power, I cannot do anything right. Help me to break the chains that keep me from you. Help me clean up! To clean the Temple of the Holy Spirit (my body) so He can dwell there all the days of my life.

I pray that every visitor reading this article who trusts in you will be free from the chains of the evil one. I desire this not for my glory but for Yours, my King of kings, my Lord of lords, My God!

In Jesus’ name, I pray!
Amen

Are you BORN AGAIN? Click to know more!

To God, be the glory!

Everything was created by our Lord Jesus, By Him, For Him!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-25

Disclaimer

I write this blog as I get inspired by God. Consider this writing as a Bible study. Like the Bereans In Acts 17:11, search the Scriptures to determine whether what I write is so. Always consult with your church ministers about biblical matters. I am also not a professional writer, so some grammar or spelling errors may be. I try my best to write as efficiently as possible. Your brother, In-Christ, Ricardo

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