Simplistic Thoughts

Life In Slavery

Posted by simplisticthoughts , Friday, August 6, 2010 9:28 AM

Famous journalist Horace Greeley spoke on the issue of slavery, making the powerful statement: “Enslave a man and destroy his ambition, his enterprise, his capacity.” I read this quote while reading a novel about the Civil War and the events that led up to the division of early America, as many of us learned in high school history, the issue of slave labor was a big discussion and many would claim that it was the reason behind the dissension. Slavery and slave labor certainly isn’t a new idea or was a recent development, although in western cultures when we think of slavery, our picture of it is of Africans brought over on the Middle Passage and forced to work on cotton plantations- without rights and having minimum benefits as in living accommodations and food. Slavery has been an institution since the dawn of time- many to most civilizations were started and thrived on slave labor. I think that it would be safe to say that most groups or ethnicities all at some point have reaped the pangs of slavery in some shape or form.

As I read Greeley’s powerful statement, it really sunk in the powers of slavery can have over a person’s identity and what they are capable of. The word “capacity” in his quote somewhat echoed through my thoughts, the dictionary defines capacity as “the ability to perform or produce; the maximum production possible…the ability to understand the facts and significance of your behavior.” Enterprise can be defined as “the readiness to embark upon new ventures” and ambition meaning “a cherished desire…strong drive for success”. It’s flabbergasting the destruction power of slavery over an individual’s future and handicapping their potential to grow into the fullness of who they were created to be.

Spiritual slavery is in the same category and I would be as bold enough to say that it is worse than being physically in slavery. When you are in spiritual slavery, many times, you don’t know that you are in it and when you do recognize its hold on your life, it can be difficult to find freedom on your own (don’t believe me, talk to anyone who’s ever struggled with a real addiction). In the Bible, God makes His opinion very clear on the subject of slavery. In fact, God is extravagant when it comes to releasing you from slavery- in any form it takes shape in. He parted an entire sea and guided the Israelites to safety so they could escape the oppressive chains of slavery in Egypt. God is adamant about your freedom because He sees the detrimental effects the shackles of slavery have upon His children. So what slavery may you find yourself in? Well Paul talks in Romans about how you are a slave to whatever you choose to obey- obedience can be defined as “to submit or conform in action to”. Here’s to list of few things that can enslave you spiritually but not limited to: depression, alcohol, drugs, sex, anxiety, fear, codependency, relationships, abuse, anger, bitterness, religiosity, self image, unforgiveness…just to name a few. All of these can cripple you- cripple you in your future, your identity, your relationships and your capacity (what you’re able to accomplish). Don’t be discouraged, because there is hope- there is a God who is passionate about freeing you from destructive habits and mindsets. You can’t change what you tolerate- don’t tolerate spiritual bondage in your life. I hear excuses like “well, that’s just how I was made” or “I can’t change”- don’t get comfortable in your habits because there is life waiting. “We were meant for better things; things that come with salvation” Hebrews 6:9. Come to Christ and He’ll part the seas to get you to a position of freedom, I know, because He did it for me and is still doing it!

Posted in Horace Greeley, Romans 6:16, slavery