Every month, a brief summary of a Bible Study session by Pastor Johnson will be featured. To learn and enjoy an entire session, please come to our Bible Study sessions held every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. You’ll be glad you did!
“Spiritual Bondage” – II Timothy 2:20-28; Isaiah 42:6-10
Dr. Brodie I. Johnson, Pastor, Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church
Being in bondage is disturbing, heartbreaking, and can be a long lonesome journey. You can be in spiritual bondage when you’re waiting on the Lord. People who tell others to wait on God usually can’t wait themselves.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonor. How many of us can really get to the point where the Master can use us? It is a blessing for him to use you for his service. We ought to be sanctified (set apart) for his service. But in order for us to be used by God, we must be available for use. Make time for God! You make time for everything else. Our problem is that we want God to make time for us when we get in trouble.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Some older folks think they’re still young. When you’re 70, you can’t go around thinking and acting like you’re still 17. When you were younger, lust called your named, but now, you just can’t do it. You have got to flee from lustful tendencies that call your name: drinking, gambling, buying more clothes than you need, eating foods you know are bad for your health. Just because you did some things in high school doesn’t mean you can do them now.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. Stop spending time arguing about some things that you have no business arguing about; things that you have no power to change. That’s just foolishness. Learn how to run in the opposite direction of folks who love to argue. It’s okay to tell folks, “Do what you’ve got to do.” You have got to pull yourself back when the devil’s got you and makes you have a bad attitude or a smart mouth. When Satan has you, that’s when you are in spiritual bondage.
Isaiah 42:6 a I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee. Humble yourself unto the Lord and He will lift you up! Praise and glorify the Lord for all he has done for you, then He will free you from your bondage!
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18