Break All Binding Yokes
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 6 v 17 -18:
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and yet shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
The usual application of the word 'yoke' is when oxen are yoked together to pull a cart or a plough. The yoke over their necks keeps them at a fixed distance apart so they don't go in wrong directions. It keeps them on a strait (disciplined) and narrow path.
Jesus says we must come to Him if our burdens are too heavy and He will refresh us. He says we should take His yoke upon us because it is light and not burdensome.
In Corinthians Paul warns us not to be unevenly yoked with others. This uneven yoke can refer to Christians marrying unbelievers which will cause problems and discord later. It can be a business partnership with unbelievers that could compromise your integrity. The Father says come out from among them and be separated unto Me.
We can become unevenly yoked to a ministry that is following the doctrines of man, or traditions that contradict the will of God. It can be extremely difficult to break that yoke of loyalty and devotion, but follow the leading of Jesus, who had to stand against the religious leaders in Jerusalem even at the cost of His own life.
In Isaiah 58 the Lord says we must fast to break the yoke of oppression. Sin and demons are the oppressors who yoke us into evil or criminal activities. We are oppressed by illegal drugs that destroy our lives; or alcoholism; or sexual sin. We are robbed by oppressors who hijack us, rape and steal from us. Corrupt government officials oppress us.
To break the yoke of these oppressors can be achieved by fasting on water only for three days and getting your life right with God. If every Christian would fast three days to remove oppressive governments we would see the chains of evil broken and the oppressed go free. The chains of drug and alcohol addiction can be broken by fasting.
Other oppressive uneven yokes are formed through adultery, homosexuality, child abuse and pre-marital sex. These sexual yokes form "soul ties" which are demonic holds that cause great anguish and sorrow.
So there are many types of yokes and the only one we should have is the light and easy yoke of Jesus in which we are joined to Him and receive great benefits. We do need to walk the strait and narrow path to life. Jesus says very few ever find it.
It is a life that does not conform to this world. It is a life totally submitted to the will of God in which self is crucified and you sing I Surrender All and mean it. The rewards of this life are a very intimate walk with Jesus matched with powerful authority in the spirit realm. A life where you have the liberty to do whatever you like but choose not to because you love the Lord Jesus Christ with such intensity.
The consecrated life is blessed by the Lord in that every need is met and you have a deep awareness of other's spiritual needs.
So take this time to break every yoke that has brought you into bondage and given you heavy burdens to carry. Jesus is waiting for you to roll these burdens onto Him because He cares for you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father You looked on the burdens of the Jews in Egypt and You sent a Deliverer called Moses. You saw their burdens under the Romans and You sent a Messiah and Deliverer called Jesus Christ. He still delivers us from burdens and demons to this day. Let us heed Your Word and submit to His deliverance so that we can humbly wear His light yoke on our shoulders. In Jesus' name. Amen
