Freedom

Originally posted 4/3/20

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This verse has been on my mind for several months. Specifically the end, “…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Freedom. Freedom from what? I have asked God that question over and over again. Each time I hear the same response. Freedom from everything that isn’t from the Lord. 

What sort of things aren’t from God?

How about anxiety for starters? I feel like I can’t go a whole week without someone telling me how they are anxious about something. Sometimes they are only anxious in that moment but oftentimes they tell me they struggle with anxiety all the time. My sweet sweet friend, God wants you to be free. There are so many verses that talk about not being anxious. In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus tells us to not be anxious about what we will eat, wear, or what we will drink because he takes care of the birds and flowers, and you are far more valuable than they are. In modern times we could say, “You do not need to worry about how you will pay that bill, if your family will be safe from danger, and how you will pay for new clothes for your growing kids.” You can trust God to provide everything you need. When thoughts like these start to fill my mind, I combat them with this verse, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭(ESV)‬‬ It’s true. Never once have I not had something to put on my body for clothing, and never have I had to not have anything to eat. I choose to trust God to be my provider for those things. He hasn’t let me down yet, nor will he ever let me down. I know he is trustworthy because he has shown me time and time again that he is. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) says, “cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” You can give God your worries because he does care about you. Trust me, he can handle it. Invite the Spirit of the Lord into your worries and allow him to free you!

What else does the Lord want to free us from?

Lies you believe about yourself. You are valuable and loved more than you can even begin to imagine. You are more valuable to Jesus than his very life. Remember he died to give you life. Not just life but the most amazing and abundant life you can imagine. In fact even more than that. A life so amazing you can’t imagine how great it will be.  “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:20‬ (‭NIV)‬‬. This verse has lived on my bathroom mirror for two years. Each time I read it, I get excited to think that God wants to bless me more than I can even imagine. The biggest dream you have is still not as amazing as the dream God has for YOU! How do you allow God to give you big dreams? You only need to do one thing. Surrender. Surrender your past to him. Surrender your present to him. Surrender your future to him. Surrender and trust him with everything. You are God’s treasure. So don’t listen to the lies your enemy tries to speak over you. 

Just after we are told to cast our anxieties on Jesus, we are told that our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Don’t allow that someone to be you! Tell your enemy to shut up and leave you alone. Then look at yourself in the mirror and declare who God says you are. You are valuable. You are beautiful. You are worth dying for. 

This list could go on and on for miles and miles. The bottom line is, whatever is not from God is a chain that holds you back from being who you truly are. What are areas in your life that don’t reflect who God says you are? Do your attitudes and beliefs match what the Bible says? No? Then invite the Spirit of God into those places, surrendering them to him, and walk in freedom! Shake off those chains that are only there to hold you back. Choose to get rid of them and NEVER put them on again! That’s the thing, you must choose to walk in the truth. Sometimes you have to choose multiple times a day, hour, and even minute. Each time you choose to disregard the lies of your enemy and instead claim the truth that the Bible says about you, God’s truth will become more and more of your identity. When truth becomes your identity, the enemy has a really hard time convincing you of a false identity.  It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it!

Note: You may have to surrender these things to Jesus over and over. Each time you surrender the chain breaks a little more until there is no chain left. Your enemy can be persistent but you have the power to be more persistent! 

The question I have for you is this: What do you choose right now, freedom by surrendering the lies or bondage to a false identity that leaves you trapped and unfulfilled? I choose freedom now and always!