Free Indeed
Exposing the obstacles to (w)holiness
"For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake."
1 Thessalonians 1:4
I’ve been contemplating the question of freedom for a while now, and have been waiting for the right inspiration to record my thoughts here. That inspiration came this morning through another blog I follow, and it is folly to wait for the “perfect time” to do anything. So here goes:
Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior.
Psalm 24:3-5
Beware of false gods! This is the subject of the first commandment, and the key to walking in freedom. What do you think of when you hear this warning? What exactly is it that you’re tempted to worship?
There are nine primary counterfeits. They appear to be good things, but when we chase them they separate us from God (who dearly loves us and proved it on the cross) and eventually leave us with nothing. These false images block his light from our hearts, each in their own way. I'll explain.
First, here they are in all their sinister innocuity: Fulfillment, Satisfaction, Control, Abundance, Fairness, Approval, Superiority, Justice, and Comfort.
Which of these do you fantasize about?
If you could only guarantee one, which would it be?
Whether we anthropomorphize them or leave them as mere "goals," these nine idols are the means by which the enemy robs us of the nine attributes of the fruit of the Spirit. It is through these nine things that he steals our peace, kills our relationships, and destroys our bodies.
When we make an idol out of fulfillment, we become slaves of lust which is emptiness in the name of fulfillment. This eclipses God's love.
When we make an idol out of Satisfaction, we become slaves of Gluttony which is dissatisfaction in the name of satisfaction. This puts Joy beyond our reach.
When we make an idol out of Control, we become slaves of Fear, which is turmoil in the name of control. This steals our peace.
When we make an idol out of Abundance (and this was my primary vice), we become slaves to Greed, which is scarcity in the name of abundance. This destroys our patience.
When we make an idol out of Fairness we become slaves to Envy, which is bitterness in the name of fairness. This kills our kindness.
When we make an idol out of Approval, we become slaves to Deceit, which is loneliness in the name of approval. This spoils our goodness.
When we make an idol out of Superiority, we become slaves to Vanity, which is incompetence in the name of superiority. This sabotages our faithfulness.
When we make an idol out of Justice, we become slaves to Wrath, which is destruction in the name of justice. This prevents our gentleness.
When we make an idol out of Comfort, we become slaves to Sloth, which is difficulty in the name of ease. This renders self-control increasingly difficult as our problems grow and fester.
But when we love the Lord with ALL our heart and ALL our soul and ALL our strength, we repent of these idols and are graciously given love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in their place. These things cannot be earned or achieved - fruit can only be cultivated by exposure to light.
What happens if you don't kill the weeds?
I don't know about you, but I've struggled with all of these things for most of my 38 years. It is only in the last 18 months that I've been “free indeed.” I pray the same freedom for every one who reads this, along with the joy of spreading freedom through confession.
Now I am not the first to see these things, they are in the Odyssey and Dante's inferno and modern film and C.S. Lewis even wrote a poem about them. You could spend an entire year excavating each of them through literature, scripture, and current events - and it would be time very well spent. But first, please prayerfully examine your heart.
I pray that this is a blessing to those who know they need it, and conviction for those who think they don't.
Once while discussing discipleship with the Jews who had believed in him, Jesus brought up the issue of freedom. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples,” he said, “then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Like most of us, they thought they were already free! Perhaps one part of “the first shall be last” can be put like this: the first to think they have the truth are the last to actually accept Him.
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!”
John 8:34-36
Blessings to you and may you continue to walk into ever-increasing freedom!
Here’s a suggested prayer, best to be read aloud:
Holy Father, I acknowledge your presence in this place and in my life. You alone are all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present and I worship you alone. I renounce any desire for ____________ in my life, and cancel any claim the enemy has over me by the blood of Jesus Christ. Please remove my ___________ and replace it with ________________. Create in me a pure heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Please empower me to forgive, let go, and overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. Please surround me with genuine disciples of Jesus, and adopt me into your family. I declare my dependence on You, for apart from You I can do nothing. I choose to believe your Word, which teaches that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to the resurrected Christ, and being alive in Christ I have the authority to resist the accuser as I submit to You. I ask that you fill me with your Holy Spirit, and make me fruitful as you guide me into all truth. Please protect me and provide for me and my loved ones as I seek to know you and do Your will. In the name of the risen Jesus I pray, amen.