Be Free!

They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. —2 Peter 2:19 NLT

The very word slave is repugnant. It seems incomprehensible to me that anyone could so devalue human beings as to enslave them and think they can be owned. I’ve been reading a book about slavery in America and have been grieved all over again as I enter into the world of individuals who are abused, neglected, ignored, and demeaned by others. It’s even more horrible to realize that people are still enslaved throughout our world today. Evil disregard of the worth of other human beings is still a reality in this fallen world of ours. No one wants to be a slave. No one signs up to have a cruel master run his life. Actually, most of us would not sign up to have a kind earthly master run our lives. We want the freedom to choose how we live our days, don’t we?

And yet, we can so easily become enslaved by our own foolish choices. Peter makes a profoundly sad but true statement in the verse above. “You are a slave to whatever controls you.” In this passage of Scripture, Peter is furious with false teachers who have wormed their way into churches and are corrupting naive Christians through slick words and false promises. They are enslaving them all over again to addictive, controlling sins: “They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. … They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you” (2 Peter 2:14a, 18-19 NLT).

We may feel pretty safe from the deception of sexual sin and greed, but let’s not get too cozy with ourselves. We too can fall prey to the wiles of the enemy and allow even good things to control us—and therefore enslave us. We can become so enamored with a product we sell that we allow our sales records to control us; we find no enjoyment in life unless we are top-of-the-heap in our selling abilities. We can become so thrilled with a video game or a show on Netflix that we find ourselves unable to stop playing or watching even though our obsession means people in our lives are being neglected. We can turn our love for good food into out-of-control eating. We need to watch out for anything that controls us, because it will ultimately enslave us.

Only one Master is worthy of our allegiance and submission. The One who made us, who put our DNA together in a unique pattern, distinctly ours, and placed us in a country and culture and century that He knows will grow us best into our full potential. He’s the One who does not want us to be enslaved, but to be free to be all that He calls us to be. Only when we are fully His and under His wise guidance are we free to grow into the best version of ourselves. He has a plan and purpose for us that will further His kingdom and bring us great joy.

Let’s marvel together at this freedom given to all who claim Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you are able, read or whisper the following verses out loud—and celebrate our freedom!

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me,
for the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed. —Isaiah 61:1 NLT

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. —John 8:36 NLT

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. —2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. —Galatians 5:1 NLT

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. —Galatians 5:13 NLT

Dear Lord and Savior, thank You for offering me true freedom from bondage. Thank You for being the gentle Teacher of my soul, leading me along the paths that will best fulfill Your good purposes for my life. Help me to see where I have allowed anyone or anything to control me and master me. I don’t want to be enslaved by any person or thing. I choose You alone, Lord. I am amazed that You, Master and King, call me daughter and friend. Thank You for the great freedom You give me, shattering all bonds that hold and capture me and opening the prison bars to bring me out into the spacious beauty of Your love and grace. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

 Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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