“Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming release, each one to his brother and each to his neighbor’” (Jeremiah 34:17, NASB).

Reading this passage in Jeremiah 34 the other day, I was very struck by the repetition of the word ‘release.’ Over and over, God emphasizes that, from Israel’s foundation, the design was that His people be free. How heartbreaking it must have been to see that, rather than being an agency of care and provision, they had begun to profit personally at the expense of one another. They rebelled and held each other captive against God’s explicit instructions.

let go, friend. Drop the grievance. Speak the word. Mend the fence. Open your heart.

We often think that the judgment Israel experienced was mainly to do with their disloyalty to God. And, in large part, it was. But in this chapter, the Lord makes it plain that just as He demands loyalty in the vertical relationship between us and Himself, He also expects us to value one another. Of course, this is a theme we see woven throughout the entirety of Scripture. Love God and love others —the twin pillars on which every law hangs, according to Jesus.

God’s standard hasn’t changed. When we hold God’s other children in bondage for personal gain, it is consequential. 

 ‘Ok,’ you may be thinking, ‘but I don’t enslave other believers.’

But are you sure?

How often do we hold people in bondage through unforgiveness, mistrust, and competition rather than compassion? Maybe we are too self-absorbed even to notice the plight of others or the impact of our actions. Or perhaps we are rendered paralyzed by fear and insecurity instead of moving through our lives with boldness and purpose. Do we hold people mercilessly to the standard of our own unfair expectations?

How often do we hold people in bondage through unforgiveness, mistrust, and competition rather than compassion?

Have you felt the impact of this kind of bondage in your own life? It hurts. As a pastor’s wife, I can tell you from personal experience how painful and damaging that last one can be. Sometimes, these are the very things that lead people away from the church, away from their ministries, and sadly, from their Savior.

These aren’t the only examples, though. It’s not always emotional. Sometimes, action is the culprit. Or lack of it. How often do we let people go on suffering or passively watch as they stray without doing anything about it? Encourage unholy habits? Are we guilty of not wanting to offend, get involved, or take personal responsibility for others? Maybe we put distance between people because they feel messy, make us uncomfortable, or get on our nerves. So we withhold the beautiful gifts God bestowed for blessing the entirety of His body from certain members out of mere personal preference.

Am I stepping on anyone’s toes yet? Can you feel the sting of conviction? I sure can. Maybe, if we’re honest, we are a little more guilty of holding people in bondage for personal gain than we’d like to admit.

But our gracious God intends that we be agents of liberation. Just. Like. Him. Why is this so important to Him? Because our whole purpose is to reflect Him. And that includes demonstrating the freedom we’ve received in our interactions with others. Valuing them enough to promote their freedom, whatever that means. He does it even when it’s undeserved. Even when it’s unappreciated. Even if it hurts. This is, after all, the very essence of our faith. It is a defining mark of a disciple of Jesus. So we must do it too.

Let’s do a little self-assessment. Think about your home, workplace relationships, friend circle, and church family. Ask yourself: Am I an agent of liberation in the lives of those around me? Is this truly a priority in my life? Maybe it’s time to make it one.

So let go, friend. Drop the grievance. Speak the word. Mend the fence. Open your heart. Whatever person or situation the Holy Spirit is laying on your heart, my encouragement is to take the steps you can today to release those you hold captive. I am confident that in doing so, we will find an unexpected freedom of our own.

P R A Y E R
Heavenly Father, will You show us the places we are causing captivity in the lives of those around us who You love so much? Will You give us mercy, humility, and courage to loosen bonds, to love others well as an act of honoring You? Thank You for Your heart to lead us to complete freedom, for releasing us with Your audaciously gracious love. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.