Freedom or Bondage
John 8:31–34
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."
We live in a world which places great value on individual liberty but which also is committed to pursuing paths that inevitably lead to bondage. The Devil knows our weaknesses well, so he presents the “fun” of sin in hopes that we will overlook the consequences that are certain to follow. The truth makes us free, but because it requires us to follow God and restricts us from fulfilling our own selfish desires, many look for an alternate and find it in sin.
The deception of the enemy keeps them from even realizing the chains have been placed upon their lives until it is too late. The Jewish people proudly boasted to Jesus that they had never been in bondage. That reveals an amazing disconnect from reality. Throughout Israel’s history they had been in bondage, first in Egypt, then to Assyria and Babylon, and even as they spoke Israel was under the rule of Rome.
But far more important and more damaging than political or physical bondage was the spiritual bondage they failed to recognize. They thought that because of their heritage they were guaranteed their freedom. That is not true in any realm—political, financial, religious or spiritual. The only pathway to freedom is found in personal commitment to walking in truth and rejecting sin. Every person serves something. Either we will find freedom in serving God, or we will find slavery in serving sin. There are no other choices.
Growth Principle:
Find your freedom in obedience to God’s truth, and you will not have to endure the bondage of Satan.