Breaking Soul Ties

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” (Mathew 10:34)

When we surrender our heart and will to Jesus, becoming faithful disciples, we can’t remain the same. Yes, we come to Jesus as the hymn states, “Just As I Am,” even so, the Holy Spirit enables us to experience daily spiritual transformation–Sanctification, to become like Christ. God’s expectation is we have faith, trust, and above all, obedience to His will and His way for our lives.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

God waits for us to pray and ask Him to reveal His plans and our purpose. The Holy Spirit assists us in the development of our spiritual gifts empowering us to witness the Gospel. Because we are created with unique traits, our gifts and talents differ. Still, all disciples are given work to do for Christ. Before we are given our assignment, we require a Spiritual Bootcamp to produce the strength and courage needed to go all the way for God. Just as Jesus, the Son of God, suffered, we must experience hardships.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

The Apostle Paul tells us of the struggle that all humanity has with sin. “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good, I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do.” (Romans 7:18-19). Because we have a war raging inside us–fleshly desires, God readily gives us an escape route for all temptations. God created us to be totally dependent on Him. Yes, our Father knows that we require His Divine Intervention to be overcomers.

Soul Ties

Before our conversion, most of us have friends and family that we love and hang out with. In fact, many are involved in dating or long-term relationships leading to marriage. Other situations include believers who chose to marry unbelieving spouses or only one of two unbelieving spouses accepted Christ, and their spouse denies the power of God.

Our soul ties are the first area that Jesus causes division in. Yes, our closest relationships including some marriages will cease to exist. “Therefore, Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

“For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:35-36).

God’s word is absolute! There is never a scripture that indicates God has changed or that He will compromise. Our relationships often bring us to a crossroads of choosing to stay with or say goodbye to those who are unbelievers. Letting go of friendships is a hard decision, but how does one let go of family members, an engagement, or a husband or wife?

With time, opposition [changing from silent to fierce] creeps into our friendships, relationships, and the homes of unequally yoked families and marriages. Our existing relationships become distant. The hours of laughter from alcohol consumption [and maybe recreational drugs] and the pumping dance music in smoke-filled house parties or clubs cease to be part of our lifestyles.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body…(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

As we grow closer to God, we lose the desire to watch the streaming with profanity and sexual content, or go to the pub, club, and engage in other unholy activities. Our spending habits change. The money we were careless with by purchasing unneeded things has stopped. And our friends and family stop inviting us to social activities.

A chasm may develop between husband and wife dependent on their belief system and prior lifestyle choices. Yet, God only sees righteousness and unrighteousness, “…Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

“(for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God)…” (Exodus 34:14). God requires that we give up any person that prevents us from wholeheartedly serving Him.

Breaking Soul Ties

Breaking soul ties may be the hardest decision that is required of the believer. We will cry bitter tears and experience lonely days and nights. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3). The Holy Spirit is our Comforter and Teacher, always available to help us with our spiritual transformation. Following Christ requires daily prayer, studying the Bible, witnessing, and listening for the instructions of the Holy Spirit. God says that He is a jealous God and that He requires us to put Him first.

When we consecrate ourselves to God every day, the spiritual, mental, and emotional separation from unbelievers happens naturally. Sooner than later, as we continue on the Path of Righteousness, we realize that we have nothing in common spiritually with our soul ties. We can never say all or never. Personal choices and lifestyles differ. Not everyone has friends and family members who are social influencers. Nor does every unbelieving spouse prevent or interfere with their spouse’s relationship with God. Alert: Still, it it a struggle for the believing spouse. Compromising to please one’s spouse by going against the truth is costly. Sin places us in spiritual bankruptcy.

Surrendering our hearts to Jesus sets us apart as commandment-keeping disciples with a purpose-driven life. “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:37).

Our only option is to put God first! Remember, we experience spiritual growth each day, demonstrating our commitment to God by our lifestyle choices. It is a freewill decision to spend eternity in the New Heaven and New Earth. The evidence is overwhelming that we are living in the last days. Revelation Prophecies are being fulfilled. Jesus, our Shepherd is protective of His sheep. For those who made a covenant vow with Jesus, He continues to thrust His Sword forward and upward, causing separation between His disciples and unbelievers.

Serving God is unlike anything we will ever do. There is no middle ground, a gray area, walking on the fence, or room for compromise. Either we go all the way with Jesus in loyalty, or like the young rich ruler who asked Jesus, “…Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16), we turn and walk away when we receive the answer of truth. God never changes, always requiring loyalty and obedience.

“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.” (Psalm 139:1-2)

Can you do what is required to obey God even if you must break soul ties? It is a personal choice. We cannot be double-minded, nor can we hide our true feelings from God. King David tells us that God knows our every thought and action. Remember, there is a great reward for the faithful remnant who will answer, “Yes, Jesus!” Eternal life in the New Heaven and New Earth is the reward!

Prayer: God, we pray for the strength to break soul ties when required of us. We desire to go all the way in our relationship with you. Thank you for your love, grace, mercy, and the great sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ. Anoint us with your Holy Spirit and open our eyes that we may view life from a spiritual perspective. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen. © 2022 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers, and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries