BREAKING TIES
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:14 (NIV)
“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.”
John 15:9 (NIV)
The Bible speaks of what is often referred to today as soul ties. It doesn’t use the phrase soul ties, but it teaches of them when it talks about souls being knit together, becoming one flesh, or in the making of vows and oaths. In its simplest form, these connections bond people together in the spiritual realm. Just look around and you’ll see there are healthy and unhealthy ways we bond with each other and the things around us. You may have said or heard people describe relationships as life-giving, while others draining and often co-dependent.
Thankfully, Jesus’ work on the cross has the power to break unhealthy ties. In today’s passage from Galatians, Paul describes our being crucified to the things of this world. It’s a breaking of ties with anything that separates us from God’s love. Without realizing it, we can easily become entangled in our relationships, intertwined with the things of the world and preoccupied by the responsibilities of life. In one way or another, it’s time for the breaking of ties that have gotten in the way of our union with God.
Application: What are you connected with the most? Do you have any ties that need to be broken? Take some time today and consider the level of intimacy you have with God. How are you remaining in His love? Are there relationships that need to be sorted out? Are there strongholds that need to be broken? Seek the power of God’s Spirit to break you free from anything that gets in the way of deeper union with Him.
Prayer: I bring the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ between me and [name this person, habit or thing that has become an idol or unhealthy connection]. I have been crucified to this [name them] and they have been crucified to me. So by the cross of Jesus Christ, I break every soul tie and every unholy bond with [name them]. I seek full union with You, God, so that my relationship with everyone and everything would be put in its place, so that I may be filled and refreshed with Your life and Your love. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?