THE BREAKDOWN
For rock climbers, a foothold is a stepping place to climb up the side of a mountain. For the enemy, it is a base for advancing his destruction of God’s plans in our lives. A foothold gives him control over an area of our soul, and we allow him to take hold of it when we give in to temptation.
Over time, as we give in over and over to a particular temptation, Satan’s control in that area will grow. Proverbs 5:22 says, “An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him.” A foothold can ultimately become a stronghold—an enemy fortress—in our soul. Strongholds are highly dangerous to our spiritual condition and must be torn down. Areas of bondage that can become footholds in our lives can look like anger, rage, abuse, lust, alcoholism, drugs, profanity, lying, or many other things.
Footholds can get lodged in our souls early in life, particularly if a certain sin was part of our environment. For example, if rage was often in your home, rage might feel like a natural way for you to respond. Areas of bondage can also be the result of the generational sin of our parents or grandparents. Jesus says in John 8:34, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.”
HOW TO BREAK OUT OF BONDAGE
“Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will believe the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”—2 Timothy 2:25–26
As Christians, God has given us the power to overcome the attacks of the enemy and areas of oppression in our lives. To be free of bondage, we need to repent of sin and cast off the powers of darkness.
Repentance
Often, people believe that just the admission of sin clears their conscience and frees them from any consequence or responsibility. While admitting a sin is part of repentance, it is not full repentance. Repentance not only means admitting your sin, but it includes turning away from the sin and choosing to no longer continue in it. Titus 2:11–12 tells us that through God’s grace and salvation, we can say ‘no’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and live self-controlled, upright and godly lives.
Read 2 Corinthians 7:10. What might be missing in a person who struggles with turning from sin?
Read Romans 2:4. What else leads us to repentance?
Write Romans 13:12.
If you find yourself in a cycle of sin, don’t give up hope! God desires to empower you to break the cycle. Ask him to give you godly sorrow that leads to repentance, and meditate on his goodness and his kindness. Invite Jesus to fill you with his presence—His Holy Spirit—and to set you free. Remember, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand” (Psalm 37:23–24).