Slavery to sin itself
John 8:34
“Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” Ongoing sin is a chain; Jesus frees the servant.
Jesus Christ · the Son of God
Sins that bind — and why Jesus came
Jesus taught that sin is not only wrong acts; it is a master that enslaves. He came to break that bondage so people can walk free as children of God.
Why Jesus came
He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it — to seek and save the lost, to give His life a ransom for many, and to set captives free.
- Luke 4:18 — “…he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives… to set at liberty them that are bruised.”
- Matthew 1:21 — “…he shall save his people from their sins.”
- Luke 19:10 — “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
- Mark 10:45 — “…the Son of man came… to give his life a ransom for many.”
- John 8:34, 36 — “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin… If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
- John 10:10 — “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Sins and bondages Jesus named
From His own words in the Gospels (KJV) — each one keeps a person under the power of sin until Christ sets them free.
Hatred & murderous anger
Matthew 5:21–22
He equated angry contempt with the root of murder. Bitterness binds the heart; He calls us to reconcile.
Lust & adultery of the heart
Matthew 5:27–28
“Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery… already in his heart.” Desire can enslave before the act.
Swearing & careless oaths
Matthew 5:33–37
He taught simple truthfulness: “Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay.” Dishonest speech traps the soul.
Revenge & unforgiveness
Matthew 5:38–48 · Matthew 6:14–15 · Matthew 18:21–35
He forbade retaliation and required forgiveness. An unforgiving heart remains in prison of its own making.
Religious show / hypocrisy
Matthew 6:1–6 · Matthew 23
Giving, prayer, and fasting done “to be seen of men” bind people to pride. He exposed whitewashed religion that leaves the inside unclean.
Serving money (mammon)
Matthew 6:19–24
“Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Love of riches rivals God and keeps people in fear and greed.
Anxiety that dethrones trust
Matthew 6:25–34
Worry over food, drink, and clothing crowds out the kingdom. He invites trust in the Father instead of bondage to fear.
Judging others harshly
Matthew 7:1–5
A critical spirit blinds. He said remove the beam from your own eye — prideful judgment keeps people trapped.
What defiles from within
Mark 7:20–23
Evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, blasphemy, pride, foolishness — these come from within and defile.
Covetousness
Luke 12:15
“Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Self-righteous pride
Luke 18:9–14
The Pharisee trusted in himself; the publican cried for mercy. Pride refuses grace and stays bound; humility receives forgiveness.
Love of darkness
John 3:19–21
People loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. Hiding from the light is bondage; coming to the light is freedom.
Unbelief
John 8:24 · John 16:9
“If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” Refusing Christ leaves a person under sin’s claim.
Hard hearts & refusal to come
Matthew 23:37 · John 5:40
He longed to gather Jerusalem; “ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” Stubborn refusal keeps people outside His freedom.
Jesus came to save people from their sins — not leave them in them. At the cross He paid the ransom; by His Spirit He breaks the chains. Turn to Him, confess, believe, and walk free.
Receive His freedom