Slavery of Self

There has been a lot of talk in different forums about the seeming promotion of slavery in the Bible... reason enough for some to denounce God.

For those familiar with the scriptures will know that the Bible does not hide the flaws of it characters, even those that were considered by God to be earnest seekers after His truth. What these 'warts' of the Bible do, is not portray a God that is pleased with such behaviour, but one that is long suffering to His creatures, meeting them where they are at and holding them accountable to the light they are shown. From the depths of depravity of spiritual knowledge after the flood, God had to slowly bring man back into a right relation and understanding of who He is. Abram had a role to fulfill in this plan just as the other patriarchs... the customs of those days were deeply entrenched ie: polygamy, slavery etc. Because of this, God gave instruction to Moses on how to lead the people out of a possession based slavery into a more economy based structure of servitude. Obviously God did not stop there and continued His progression of leading His people out of the SLAVERY of sin. Treason, treachery, murder were all a part of our admonition to the results of sin.

Here's a portion of our Sabbath quarterly study today:

The Slavery of Self


Questions:

1. What can you say of the desirability of freedom?

Note 1: Freedom is a condition desirable to all. Everybody likes to be free—free to think, act, and speak, free to go where he wishes, and do what he pleases. It is an inborn principle. God made man free in the beginning, and it is only sin that has brought bondage and slavery of any kind into the world. The words of Patrick Henry, “Give me liberty, or give me death,” are but an outburst of this natural desire for freedom.

2. Not withstanding this general desire for freedom, are men by nature free?

Note 2: No, man by nature is not truly free. All, in consequence of the fall, are slaves; all are subject to things which bring them into bondage,--slaves of habits, customs, and traditions, slaves of men, slaves of self, slaves of sin.

3. In what way do men show themselves to be slaves?

1. By their inability to break off bad habits.
   
   
2. By following foolish and erroneous customs.
   
   
3. By want of courage to think.
   
   
4. By want of courage to speak.
   
   
5. By going with the majority when the majority go wrong.
   
   
6. By fearing men instead of God.
   
   
7. Bu serving men instead of serving God.
   
   
8. By keeping the commandments of men instead of the commandments of God.
   
   
9. By every sin they commit.

Note 3: Men show themselves to be slaves in the following ways:

1. They become so addicted to habits which they know are an injury to them, that they cannot break them off. They try to do it again and again, but fail. The habit is master, and they are slaves. This lack of power is thus stated by the apostle: “For what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” Romans 7:15. “For to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” verse 18.
   
   
2. Many do things for no better reason than because others do them, or because their forefathers did them. They are slaves to custom. This is well illustrated by the history of the Lamentations, recorded in 2 Kings 17:40, 41: “Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner. So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.” This is also most strikingly shown in the matter of Sunday observance. The condition of millions in this respect is correctly represented in the following words of Ex-Governor St. John: “It always pays a man to be frank. Now, why do I observe Sunday?—I observe Sunday because my father and mother observed it, and not because I have gone down deep and searched the Bible for the truth of the matter.”—Speech in Battle Creek, Mich. Sept 8, 1890.
   
   
3. Many have not the courage to think. They are afraid to allow themselves to reason, fearing that the conclusion will condemn them. They let others do their thinking for them. But God wants men to use the mental powers He has given them. He, the Author of our minds, says, ‘Come now, and let us reason together.” Isaiah 1:18.
   
   
4. Others, although allowing themselves to think, have not the courage to give expression to their convictions, fearing it might cost them something to do it. This was the trouble with many in Christ’s day. “Howbeit no man spake openly of Him for fear of the Jews.” John 7:13. See also John 9:22.
   
   
5. To go with the majority or the great men when we think they may be going wrong. The Lord says: “Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.” Hosea 10:13. “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” Exodus 23:2.
   
   
6. Many shun duty for fear of what men may think or say of them or do to them. Against this the Lord has often warned His people: “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” Isaiah 8:12, 13. See also Isaiah 57:12, 13; Matthew 10:28, 32, 33 and Psalm 56:4.
   
   
7. We show our slavery by serving men instead of God. But the Lord teaches that what we do for or in respect to others we are to do “not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.” Ephesians 6:6, 7.
   
   
8. Whosoever follows the commandments of men instead of the commandments of God, is the servant of men instead of the servant of God. This is vain worship, because it is man worship. See Matthew 15:9; Isaiah 29:13 and Titus 1:14.
   
   
9. Whoever commits sin is the servant, or slave, of sin, and through sin of the devil, who is the originator and author of sin. John 8:34; romans 6:16; 1 John 3:8.

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