Are there any mistakes or sins in your life that keep repeating, and you feel like you're doomed to just keep repeating them every time? If you said yes to this, then you should know that you have a bondage.
Bondages are very powerful. These are characterized as sins that we can't simply stop by plain will because they have taken residence in our system. Paul best explained this in Romans 7, where he said "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do" (v. 15).
Those who try to overcome sin and break bondages in their own strength will realize how futile their efforts are. But don't worry: we are assured freedom in Christ who sets the captive free. Take it from Paul, who said "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (v. 24-25)
Here are some things you can do to break free from bondage and stop repeating past mistakes.
1) Realize that you are powerless to overcome by yourself
That's the truth: we cannot overcome sin by our own means. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). We are simply powerless to overcome sin on our own strength. We need Christ to overcome (see Revelation 12:11).
2) Repent of and renounce your sin before the Lord
God cannot take away the sin that we will not let go of. We have to admit our sin to the Lord, and renounce it in Jesus' name (see Psalm 32:5).
3) Receive the Lord's forgiveness
After repenting of our sin, we must receive the Lord's forgiveness and stop bashing ourselves for doing what was wrong (see 1 John 1:9). Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Stop condemning yourself, and live in the Spirit.
4) Submit to God and resist the devil
James 5:6-7 tells us, "But [God] gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." We have to first submit ourselves to the Lord, only then do we resist the enemy's attempts to cause us to sin again. Pray, then say "no" to sin. (see Titus 2:11-12)
5) Stand in the truth of Christ's finished work
Galatians 5:1 tells us that we have to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Don't believe the lie that you can't break free, because if you are indeed in Christ, you are already free! Stand on the truth!
