What comes to mind when the word
freedom is heard? Does it mean anything to your listening ears? Four years ago
I would have told you that I was free because I could do anything I wanted and
nobody could stop me. I used to show all of my anger, and I would do a lot of
bad things. I remember breaking into a hotel once and acting like we had a
room, and then cussing around and at young children. At the time it felt amazing I
loved every minute. I remember running from the cops and hiding and getting
away from setting off fireworks. I remember trying to have sex in a parking lot
at the beach. I remember partying all night with my friends and staying up
until 7 in the morning. I remember sleeping in a strangers house and lying
about everything that I did. I remember hiding the way I felt towards
everything. I hid it behind a mask so nobody knew what I did or acted the way I
did. But through all the things I have done I am not proud, and all those years
ago I felt that I was free, but the truth was in fear of someone I loved
finding out, and I was in constant battle with myself, but I felt that I should
do them anyways. I actually believed that this was my freedom, but the truth
was the Devil was dragging me around on his chain. The worst thing about it I
convinced myself that this way of life was helping when in reality I was still
in pain.
Trust me I know this new found
darkness, the bad language, the freedom to do what you want, but you seem to
only do bad things; like cussing people out and drinking and smoking seems like
you are free, but you will never be free living that way. I know the feeling
like you could do no wrong, but all you seem to do is wrong and you don’t even
care anymore. All the people that you used to care about you don’t even notice
anymore. Anyone that is trying to show you that right way you push out of your
life because you want to do bad and good has no room. The hardest lesson I learned
in my life is all the things I did bad and felt it was fun I paid for badly. It
wasn’t the greatest feeling at all. It took years, and the pain didn’t just
disappear in thin air. The truth is I did some stupid things and wasted years
of my life. So I hope that you aren’t that naïve to think that you won’t have
to pay for your wrong doings. I would have never known if I didn’t find Jesus
Christ. The Devil would have continued to drag me around, and I would have
continued to do wrong and not even seen all that I had coming to me. (Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God is
not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”)
One thing you will have to understand is that the Devil
lies and uses his tricks to make you think that you are free from the rules. He
will turn you against the world, by twisting your words and making your anger
come out. He will get you to do things that later on in life you will regret.
Think about it this is what he does. It is what he wants. Do you feel your
relationship with God become less and less, or do you have a relationship with
God? Don’t be fooled the Devil will never reveal himself to you, and the reason
why is so he can stay in the shadows. (1 Peter 5:8 “Be
sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”) Hanging around with people that are
leading you in the wrong direction isn’t a good thing. If you’re not willing to
see that they are dragging you down with them then it is sad to say but you
will have what is coming to you. Though life isn’t fair, but you aren’t just going
to get away with your sins. Yes, they can be forgiven, but what goes around
comes around.
After all that I did I finally
accepted Christ into my heart, and yes I struggled for years for all the bad
things I did, but God has forgiven me. One thing to note just because God will
forgive doesn’t me you should go out and sin on purpose. In case of that you
are playing right into the Devils hands. The best thing I can tell you is if
you find yourself falling into sin run away from it. If you see your life
changing in a direction you never expected repent and never look back it may be
the hardest thing you have to do, but do it, trust God, because letting the
Devil have control in your life isn’t freedom. Living for God is the only true
freedom.
So
are you truly free in your life? I know what it is like to deny the good in
yourself because of pain. Are you making excuses about everything? It is very
easy to sin, but the hard part will be to do what it good and what is right. (Joshua
1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be
strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”)
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