Attitudes of Freedom

In this week of celebrating our independence in America and the founding of our freedom and country, I thought it would be appropriate to post an article that I wrote for www.askwisecounsel.blogspot.com in January.

It is on attitudes of freedom.  We can live in a free country, but if we do not live in attitudes of freedom, we are not utilizing our freedom to its potential.  What good is it to live blessed with freedom, but be bound within ourselves?  Hope you enjoy this post and this week celebrating our freedom and country!!  God Bless America!

 

Attitudes of Freedom

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.  Galations 5:1

Freedom...it is at the core of mankind's heart desire.   In John 8:36, Jesus said, "Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."   Why then are so many people living in bondage?   Why is it that even some Christians never experience true freedom in Christ?  

An answer lies in our mind and our attitudes.  The issue of freedom is settled as far as God is concerned.  Jesus paid the price so we could be free.  We are free in Christ Jesus.  However, we may not know how to walk in that freedom.  We discover how to live in the freedom of Christ through His Word, through the renewing of our minds.  

All actions start with a thought.  When we learn to choose right thoughts, it will result in living in victory and freedom.  

And vice versa, when we choose wrong thoughts, we will continue to live in bondage.  Whether that thought leads to an overt sin, or a covert sin.  A covert sin is one such as selfishness, greediness, pride, self-absorption, unbelief, doubt.  These are less obvious than overt sins, but just as dangerous and just as enslaving.  

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  Galations 5:13

Yes, Christ has made us free.  However, when we use that freedom and choose sin, we get entangled right back into bondage.  Any step out of walking according to the Spirit is walking in the flesh and is therefore, sin.    

Sin causes bondage.  When we come to Christ, He washes away all our sin.  He removes it from us as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12).  However, we have to change our thinking and how we view ourselves or we will go back to the same old patterns of sin.  Only the Word of God can transform us and lead us to victory.  

Many people sin and then justify it in their heads, "Oh, God will forgive me, after all Jesus Christ died for my sins so I am forgiven."  That is a dangerous way to live and it only results in deeper and deeper captivity.  

This justification happens often, but many times people are living in captivity by their thinking and do not even realize it is sin.   

For example, below is a list of Attitudes of Freedom vs Attitudes of Bondage.  As you read the list, it might be of value to do some self-examination to see where your thinking is leading you.

Attitudes of Freedom/ Attitudes of Bondage

Thankfulness/ Complaining

Kindness and Goodness/  Selfishness

Graceful/ Critical

Trusting/ Doubting

Faith/Fear, Insecurity

Humility/Prideful, Self-righteous

Love/Fearful, Selfish

Patience/ Quick-tempered

Peace/ Worry, Anxious

Joy/ Grumpiness, gloom

Self-control/ Self-indulgence

Many of the attitudes of freedom are on the list in Galations 5:22-23 as being fruit of the Spirit.  The attitudes of bondage could be listed as attitudes of the flesh.  

We can choose our attitudes.  We can choose if we walk in freedom or are held captive to wrong mindsets.  We may not be able to change our thoughts overnight.  It may take some time to dilute the damage accumulated through years of misguided mindsets.  However, victorious living is awaiting.  Christ died to give you that freedom.  Don't let wrong thoughts and attitudes keep you from obtaining all Jesus Christ has for you. 

Freedom is yours.