John 8:31-36 “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 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.”

We all cherish freedom, but do we truly understand what it is?

Some believe it to be the capacity to decide or act with little or no constraints, limitations, or accountability. But since each person acts according to his or her own judgement, that is what God refers to as rebellion (1 Samuel 12:14–15). The only way to experience true freedom- being set free from the grip of sin – is by faith in Jesus Christ.

Recognising our prisons is the first step towards liberation. Sin and unbelief hold those who have not accepted Christ as Saviour captive. They are unable to trust God or the promises of Scripture because sin has clouded their judgement and prevented them from seeing their need for Christ.

Even Christ-followers who have made numerous attempts to change can nevertheless find themselves enslaved to certain sins. But for some of us, the battle is against the more subtle forms of servitude. Our reactions to life’s circumstances might be skewed by habitual feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, rejection, or worthlessness because they distort our capacity for thought and action and undermine our faith in and obedience to God.

The Lord desires for us to walk in freedom, and Jesus lays out the way for us (John 8:31-32) when He says if we stay in God’s Word, we shall come to know the truth, and that knowledge will set us free.

First and foremost, by faith in Christ, we are delivered from sin and its punishment. We will then experience a change in our mind, will, and emotions as we continue to read and reflect upon Scripture and submit to God’s Spirit within. As we learn to understand our place in Christ, the sins that formerly tempted us will become repugnant and the emotional prisons will be opened.

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.