Scriptures on Freedom
This week on the 4th of July, the United States celebrates our independence. It was on July 4, 1776, that our nation signed the Declaration of Independence which states that God always intended for human beings to be free exclaiming, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
However, Jesus came to give us more than just physical freedom and liberty. Jesus came to give us freedom from death, sin, and/or anything that enslaves us. Because of Jesus, we can declare independence from sin or anything that holds us captive.
True Freedom
I love the way this article from Focus on the Family articulates what true freedom is…
“Jesus was not setting us free to do whatever we wanted; He was freeing us to do what we ought to do. He was liberating us to walk in relationship with God and to be the kind of people He created us to be. This spiritual freedom is what I call “inside freedom” — the ability to obey God and choose His will for our lives.
And this is the freedom that sin had long denied us.
Jesus shocked the Pharisees, the spiritual leaders of His day, when He stated, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). Jesus was asserting that we are all under the power and control of a natural tendency to sin; we can’t get away from it by ourselves.
Sin brings a penalty that, by ourselves, we can’t escape either. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
How do we find freedom from the penalty and power of sin? That comes through accepting Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross as the payment for our sin. As we submit to Christ, sin loses its power — Christ’s power takes over. As we choose to trust and follow Him, our sinful habits, thoughts and attitudes lose their control. Guilt disappears, and peace of mind dominates. Right habits become the norm. That’s freedom — true freedom!”[1]
Scriptures on Freedom
“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT)
“In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free.” Psalm 118:5 (NLT)
“I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.” Psalm 119:45 (NLT)
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” Luke 4:18-19
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NLT)
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (NIV)
““Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38-39 (NIV)
“For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” Romans 6:7 (NLT)
“You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:18 (NIV)
“But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.” Romans 6:22 (NLT)
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)
“That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:21 (ESV)
“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)
“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it–not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it–they will be blessed in what they do.” James 1:25 (NIV)
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13 (NLT)
“But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT)
“You are free, but still you are God’s servants, and you must not use your freedom as an excuse for doing wrong.” 1 Peter 2:16 (CEV)
“So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.” James 2:12 (NLT)
“They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.” 2 Peter 2:19 (NLT)
“You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT)
“For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.” 1 Corinthians 7:22 (AKJV)
Take Some Practical Steps to Declare Your Freedom:
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First, identify whatever is holding you “captive”. Do you need freedom from…
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- Fear
- Oppression
- Depression
- Obsession
- Addiction of any kind
- Insecurity
- Anger or any Negative emotions
- Confusion
- Doubt
- Gossip
- Corrupt talk
- Selfishness
- Arrogance
- Vanity
- Boastfulness
- Lust
- Immorality
- Lying
- Idolatry
- Rebellion
- Malice
- Hypocrisy
- Meanness/unkindness
- Quarreling/argumentative nature
- Bitterness
- Jealousy/envy
- Unforgiveness
- Greed
- Gluttony
- Disobedience
- Impatience
- Any Sin or iniquity
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Next, declare your freedom and independence from anything that is holding you back. Pick one of the “freedom” scriptures listed above to use and stand on.
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Finally, live in the freedom obtained for you by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Choose Jesus in order to live in freedom!
What are you free from today because of Jesus? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below!
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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward! Share this post via the sharing links below. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
*Updated: Originally posted 7/3/2019
- “Freedom in Christ.” Focus on the Family, 1 Sept. 2017, www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/spiritual-growth-for-kids/freedom-in-christ. ↑
