His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. Proverbs 5:22
Today I came across this verse in a counseling session. I read it in a previous time. The part “he shall be holden with the cords of his sins” was already underlined in black ink.
The word “holden” means to “sustain, keep fast, or retain.” This verse is teaching how that a wicked person who is willfully committing sin is actually binding himself with his sin. Sin becomes a controlling factor in our human experience. Here the sin, like cords wrapped around a person’s wrist is confining this person. In other words, this person’s sin is handcuffing him. Even though sin may be enjoyed – for a season – it will eventually chain you to its will and confine you to it’s desires.
Sin is very captivating. Sometimes a person does not even recognize how their sin is actually holding them back and retaining them in a “holding tank.” Think about how a drug addict can no longer think clearly. Her body is conditioned to “need” the next hit of drugs. The male addicted to pornography may not think it is hurting him, but his relationship with his wife is not what it could be because of the nurturing of lust in his heart. The angry couple can be blinded to the hatred in their heart because of unconfessed bitterness that is controlling and affecting every area of life and relationships.
Instead of allowing sin to take us captive and handcuff us, we should take captive our thoughts ourselves – with the mind of Jesus. One of my favorite verses I use in counseling sessions to encourage, motivate, and equip people to have victory over sin is 2 Corinthians 10:5. Here Paul states: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…”
Imagine that. Bring every thought into obedience to Jesus Christ. Get the Word of God in your life. It is like the key to unlock the handcuffs of sin. Let Jesus captivate your heart and mind. It will change your life! You will experience more freedom than you thought possible when you devote your life to what is right!
What can I do to get uncuffed?
- Confess your sin. Let Jesus know about it – from your own confession.
- Repent of sin. More than confession, repentance is a turning around from the sin. It is choosing to go a totally new direction than the way the sin was taking you.
- Enjoy Forgiveness. Thank the Lord that when we confess our sin and turn from it in repentance, the Lord totally forgives us. Psalm 103:12 says, As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Thank the Lord for that!
Get out of the handcuffs of sin today.
EDC Christian 