Everyone has a story. Yes, even you. For many of us, it includes being set free. The freedom that Jesus gives us. It is possible to be free. We can live in peace, joy, and reflect/resemble Jesus more and more. Jesus was sent “…to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1, NIV). These words from the prophet Isaiah were confirmed by Jesus as referring to Jesus Himself (Luke 4:21). We have reason to dance and celebrate! We do not have to feel trapped, defeated, hopeless, afraid, inferior or ashamed. God wants us to be free. We can be set free from lies; all lies.
There are a range of lies that we are set free of. Different people have different areas that they feel they struggle with, more than others. Perhaps addictions, fear, worry, unrighteous anger, shame or devaluing yourself.
My story is unfolding, and as I am choosing to surrender more and more, I am growing and being set free more and more. I used to believe lies about my identity, for example. I used to believe that I would always be insecure, and remember mentioning to someone once that that is just part of what I am like and it would never change. The amazing life of living freely with my head held high, free of the worry of what others think of me, was not something I ever would consider could become a reality. I used to believe that I was inferior to others, and could never live confidently. I was trapped in lies, and making choices that only led to emptiness. I am grateful to God that He has, however, not allowed me to keep living in this awful fantasy, because He loves me too much. Just like He passionately loves each person. He loves us too much to not tell us the truth.
I have come to the point that I would rather know the truth, and for it to require for me to let go of certain things for something better, than for me to live believing in lies. I have had the opportunity to ask myself what lies I have been believing about myself, which have been keeping me captive.
I have learnt that I am God’s masterpiece created anew in Christ Jesus to do the good works He planned for me to do long ago (Ephesians 2:10, NLT). I must not walk around in shame; there is nothing wrong with me. I have been adopted as a child of God, through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5, ESV). I am the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8, ESV). He rejoices over me with singing (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV). I will remember these Bible verses whenever I feel negative about myself, so that I do not miss out on living the abundant life that Jesus died for me to have. What truth from God’s Word do you need to declare, to replace the lies. We need to wear the belt of truth as part of our armour (Ephesians 6:10-17), against lies. We are each too precious to God to live lives hidden away. His plans for each of us are far too important, for them to be unseen because of lies.
Now that I am more aware, and God has been healing my heart and renewing my life, life is more of an open field than a prison cell. I am determined to fight to be myself. I am a blessing. We fight in prayer, reaching out to God to help us and to set us free. We are already living from victory; the victory that Jesus won on the cross. We reach out to God in prayer; in the authority of Jesus Name we are free.
The truth sets you free. Jesus taught us that “…If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8: 31-32, ESV). And that, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8: 34-36, ESV).
We can be free indeed. Sin does not have to hold us back. I am free from fear of man, defending myself the wrong way, and other sins. We can start over. Jesus sets the captives free.
“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8: 2-4, ESV). God is holy, and that is why sin needs to be dealt with. The world likes to pretend sin is not sin, but it is better to know the truth. His Word.
We need to know the truth, and God wants us to renew our minds. Paul writes, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2, ESV). Not every thought is something we should take in as truth, in fact we need to assess each thought. Paul explains, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10: 3-5, ESV).
We can be victorious in taking every thought captive. God will help us. We are children of God, in receiving Jesus as our Saviour. “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8: 15, ESV). Jesus died and rose again, setting me free. I want to be free, and stay free. And we remember that “…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17, ESV). Paul also notes how “…creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Romans 8:21, ESV). We need to see from God’s perspective, and listen to His voice.
God was encouraging me recently that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), because of Who He is. We may feel that the opposition to us moving forward in freedom in all God has for us, is too big. But, our God is much bigger, and the opposition simply has to move out of the way, so that God’s children each move forward. There may be those around you that are misled and seem very confident in their ways, even those of corruption, bullying and intimidation, but their plans cannot succeed. We keep praying, trust God, and let Him defend us. I recall I am free from fear of man, defending myself the wrong way, and other sins. The battle is the Lord’s. Our loving heavenly Father God’s plans for us prevail. We are free to move forward, because of Who God is. Jesus Name is above all names.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1, NIV). Jesus sets us free. We become more and more like Him, as we choose to surrender more and more. If we need help from others to break free, then let us ask God to lead us to which people we can ask for help. God wants everyone to be free. We are called to share the good news of our freedom.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
Thank-You for sending Jesus to proclaim the good news, bind up the brokenhearted and set us free. Our Saviour and Deliverer Jesus! Hallelujah! Jesus Name is above all names!
I invite You Holy Spirit to help me discern what lies I could be believing, and guide me into truth. Thank-you to help me live according to the Spirit setting my mind on things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5, ESV), “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6, ESV). It is so exciting to live freely, as You intended for me to live.
Thank-You for helping me God in knowing what next steps to take. Thank-You for working in my life, and doing what only You can do. None can compare to You Jesus, and in the authority of Your Name Jesus, I am free.
In Jesus name, Amen.