3 Minutes 57 Second Read | Author: Jeff Briner
We are going over five places in scripture where slavery came into the picture. The five types of slavery are female, debt, religious, governmental, and finally, sin. Today we are dealing with religious slavery.
February is Black History Month. We know that religious slavery was used to keep black folks inline with the idea slavery is morally acceptable before God. When the entire counsel of God in the Bible couldn’t be used to enslave, large parts were removed. Look up the slave bible for more information. But thanks to God that He is more than a book He inspired and was able to set black folks free by His spirit; even before they were set free from the bondage of man.
Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” – Exodus 19:5-6 NASU
God’s desire was always to have a personal relationship with every individual, not a holy man. But we will soon find out that man himself, not God, chose to have an intermediate. God did call Moses to bring the law; that was Moses’ gift to Israel. And Jesus brought grace and truth and is our intermediate forever. In the following few scriptures, we will see that God wanted everyone to come to Him.
So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. – Exodus 19:16-17 NASU
All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was. – Exodus 20:18-21 NASU
Moses wasn’t a dictator. Instead, Moses told people not to fear but to come and trust God. But the people wouldn’t have it and appointed Moses to be their spokesperson.
When we reject a personal invitation to go into the glory of God’s kingdom, we enter religious slavery. We don’t get to know Him and His resurrection power, and we make ourselves open for religious slavery.
Do you see how we as a people make room for misinformation, control, and eventually bondage in slavery? How many people are in religious slavery because they haven’t approached God Himself for the truth? We are to try the spirit. We are to seek God with a whole heart, and we will find Him. The written word of God is available for many of us. There is no reason for us to place someone in-between God and ourselves.
We have teachers today, but the ultimate teacher is the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth. Today, we have pastors who watch over our soul to give us a tap on the shoulder or a rebuke if needed if we stray from the truth. We have prophets today who give a word of correction and direction. But if we are to prosper, we need to go the way of Jesus into the Father.
Why are people still putting flesh and blood in-between God and themselves? Because many people are afraid of God. They don’t fear the Lord in an awe and reverence way but a fear that God doesn’t hold their heart in their best interest. So, they give themselves to the many false doctrines and religions. The ideas of men do not represent the one true God who loves us so much that He gave His only Son to redeem us from sin and death.
Some people go into religious slavery because a codependent relationship works for them. I need something that I don’t want to get myself; you do it for me. Let the preacher seek God and tell us what to do. Let the preacher make the sacrifice.
Some people go into religious slavery because it works for them like a codependent relationship. I need something that I don’t want to get myself; you do it for me. Let the preacher seek God and tell us what to do. Let the preacher make the sacrifice.
Religious slavery is made worse because we don’t know our hearts. So when someone judges the outside as specifically sinful, we fall into bondage as if it is true without trying the heart and its motives. So, we get caught up in works and giving sacrificially not out of love and repentance but fear and penitence. Man judges the outside, but God judges the heart.
Many false world religions and cults are ready to enslave the simple-minded and unmotivated soul. And there are legalistic Christian ministries that use shame and blame to control our actions.
In the name of Jesus, be set free today by going to the one true God who paid all there is with His son Jesus to have a personal relationship with you and me.
To learn about the types of slavery in our world today, check out the following link. Slavery Today