When I think of freedom, I think of an eagle soaring high above all danger. I think of peace and tranquility. We live in a world full of distractions, temptations, problems and dangers all around. There are so many things that can keep you from feeling peace. You may find yourself in a situation right now where you feel trapped, hopeless and imprisoned. What are some of the things that you need to free yourself from?
First Know Yourself
Have you ever searched your mind, heart and soul to discover the person you are? What upsets you, makes you anxious or keeps you up at night? Is there something in your past that you regret doing or did someone hurt you and you cant forgive them?
Imagine yourself from an outside perspective going about your daily life at home, school or work. Think of every act, emotion and thought that you did when you thought no one was looking. Do you think negatively towards certain people? What are your true intentions and motives behind the things you do or say? Do you see something you wish you could stop doing?
Do you see anything your are ashamed of, anxious about, hate or fear? What do you think about the person you see? Stop for a moment and think about this and try to answer all of the questions above. Write your answers down and be honest.
Be Honest
To truly know yourself you first have to be honest with yourself. In John 3:20, Jesus says, “20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
Begin to look and analyze your actions, thoughts, motives and intentions. Be honest with yourself. Uncover everything out that you have hidden and leave no stone unturned. Put everything out in the open and into the light, in the sight of God. Stop for a minute and look what you see. Do you see something that is holding you back? Do you see something that you’re ashamed of? Is there something that’s keeping you up at night or not giving you peace? Is there something you did in the past that you wish you could do over or something you said to someone that you wish you could take back?
What must I free myself from?
When you search yourself, you begin to uncover the things you need to free yourself from.
You might see an addiction to something that is hurting you physically or spiritually. You may see something you’ve done in your past that you haven’t forgiven yourself for or someone who hurt you that your haven’t forgiven. You may see a lifestyle of sexual immorality. You may see a lie that you allowed yourself to believe that said you are not good enough.
Whatever the regret, hurt or bad deed you did or experienced, they have one thing in common. They are are born out of hate, anger, fear, or selfishness and are against Gods will for your life.
In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
The thief (Satan) comes only to steal (your joy and your happiness) and kill (your inner peace) and destroy (your relationships with God, family, friends, coworkers)
Satan wants you to hold on to your addictions, unforgiveness, hatred, anxiety, fears and anger. He wants you to hide them in the dark where no one can see them. He wants you to be chained to these sins, to hide yourself and feel shame so that you will be afraid to disclose them. That is how he traps you and keeps you enslaved. That is how he steals from you, kills you and destroys you.
How can I be set free?
2 Corinthians 3:16 says, “16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
A veil is a piece of cloth or thin material worn over the face for concealment. The veil is taken away when you turn to the Lord, meaning there is no concealment between you and the Lord. Everything is out in the open. Surrender and release everything to the Lord. Everything you were hiding, every deep secret, every pain, every regret, every sin, everything. Put it out in the light.
Confess your sins, repent and ask for forgiveness. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and completely change your way of thinking towards that sin. Leave it forever, don’t do it, don’t touch it, it’s not part of you anymore, it has nothing to do with you.
Romans Chapter 10:8-10 says, “9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Your sins are forgiven and you are justified through faith in Jesus Christ. You receive redemption by the grace of God by believing that Jesus died on the cross for your sins.
It is not enough to say you believe, you must believe in your heart and demonstrate it by actions. In the Book of Genesis, Abraham believed when he took his son Isaac up the mountain to be sacrificed, Noah believed when he built the Ark. Therefore belief in God is demonstrated by carrying out His commands.
Don’t wait to be set free. Do it today. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and receive the freedom, joy and peace that comes with His Spirit. If you are ready to be set free, right now, where you are say these words out loud:
“Dear Father, I come to you right now as a sinner in need of your forgiveness. Forgive me for the sins I have committed. Forgive me for all the times I offended you.
“Lord right now in front of everyone I know, without shame or embarrassment, I confess that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ, Your Son, died on the cross for my sins and my salvation. He rose from the dead and is right now seated at your right hand.
“My God, your word says in Romans Chapter 10 that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that You raised him from the dead that we are saved.
“I thank you Lord for saving me, I know in my heart that when I asked, you forgave me of my sins and I ask you to send your Holy Spirit to come live inside of me.
“Right now Lord I ask you to bring transformation in my life so that I may bring glory to your name and so that your will may be done in me and through me today and every day. I thank you Lord for your love and mercy. I praise you forever and ever. Amen”
