2 Peter 2:19 KJV
[19] “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”
Sin rarely begins as bondage, but rather presents itself as freedom. It offers pleasure without consequences, control without cost, and satisfaction without accountability. Most cults make these kinds of empty promises. This is a sad hoax for those who fall for it. The tragedy is that not only are these followers brought into bondage, but they are also blind to it. They never even saw it coming. Remember, the worst kind of captivity is when you cannot recognize it. These corrupt cult leaders demand money, seduce their women, enslave their followers with drugs, and then brainwash them with tricks and fear.
We have all seen these wicked apostates rise and fall through the decades. However, people continue to be deceived by their wicked ways. The word “overcome” in our text means “to be conquered, defeated, or mastered.” Think about what is happening in this text. These corrupt leaders are enslaved by their own corruption, yet they are promising liberty to others! They are nothing more than slaves offering you liberty. Now, we know that a slave cannot offer freedom because he is in bondage himself. This is exactly what we see happening in the cults today.
Only Christ can offer freedom to those who are in bondage. Dear reader, I encourage you not to be deceived by those who may offer you some false form of liberty. I don’t think you are going to be so foolish as to join a false religion or a cult, and the Devil knows that about you, but he will send someone your way to promise you another kind of liberty.
The Devil will try to get you to leave the principles that your parents or your pastor have taught you. He will tell you that the old-time way is nothing more than bondage, and if you will change your course, or even join up with the world, you can live in freedom. All you have to do is look at those who are promising you this false liberty and see that they themselves are enslaved. I personally believe that many who have joined the contemporary movement of our day are living deeply in bondage. They have traded their heritage for hatred. They have changed their beliefs, their Bible, and their way of living for the false promises that they can live as they please, do as they will, and still be right with God. Yet, when I look at them, they are miserable. The happiest people I have ever met are those who have fully surrendered their lives to Christ. Friend, you do not have to stay in bondage; you can be free. You can have the victory that comes from fully following Jesus Christ.