According to Merriam-Webster freedom is “the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action” and “unrestricted use.” Many people take the idea of “unrestricted use” to extremes, believing they can do whatever they want to do if they feel it’s in their best interest.
This mindset has led to a rampant rise in robbery, assault, and other crimes that result in innocent people suffering because the perpetrators believe they’re free to do as they please. Some also exercise their so-called freedom to harm themselves, which has increased the homeless population of addicts who don’t want the rehab resources available to them.
But the idea of “unrestricted use” of freedom without accountability is a fantasy. Governments worldwide have traffic laws, tax laws, and other civil laws designed to restrict people’s actions that may harm themselves or others. In other words, freedom has never been about the total absence of constraint.
The culture in which the apostle Paul lived was not much different than 21st-century culture in terms of human behavior. Galatians 5 lists these sins: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, and orgies (vv. 19–21 NIV). But none of these unrestricted behaviors led to freedom then or now.
Paul says, “You, my brothers and sisters were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh” (Galatians 5:13). What kind of freedom is Paul talking about? (1) Freedom from the dominion of sin and corrupt desires and (2) freedom to become the people God designed us to be, set apart for His service and glory.
LGBT activists zealously promote the idea of freedom to be who you truly are—the opposite sex or any one of 72 gender identities. This kind of fantasy living, however, doesn’t lead to freedom; it leads to bondage—slavery to a deception that can never bring a person lasting happiness or significance. Consider what transman Scott Newgent said about his indulgence in the so-called freedom to be the opposite sex:
During my own transition, I had seven surgeries. I also had a massive pulmonary embolism, a helicopter life-flight ride, an emergency ambulance ride, a stress-induced heart attack, sepsis, a 17-month recurring infection due to using the wrong skin during a “failed” phalloplasty, 16 rounds of antibiotics, three weeks of daily IV antibiotics, the loss of all my hair, (only partially successful) arm reconstructive surgery, permanent lung and heart damage, a cut bladder, insomnia-induced hallucinations—oh and frequent loss of consciousness due to pain from the hair on the inside of my urethra. All this led to a form of PTSD that made me a prisoner in my apartment for a year.
Don’t fall for Satan’s lies about the pseudo-freedom he offers. It always ends in bondage to him and to sin. Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). If we want true, lasting freedom, He’s the only one who can provide it. Don’t settle for anything less than the freedom to be the person He designed you to be.
Question: How can I live free from bondage?
Answer: Recognize sinful and/or harmful patterns holding you back from experiencing freedom. Write down and reflect on how they impact your relationships, peace and purpose.
Be honest with yourself. Identify attitudes, addictions, or cycles that repeatedly trap you. Renew your mind with truth.
Let go and let God. Surrender the things you cannot fix or control. Trust that God is working even when you don’t see it.
Living free is a process, not a one-time event. Freedom grows as you stay close to God, receive His grace, and choose daily to walk away from old chains.