Five Choices That Lead to True Freedom

Scripture: James 1:12-15

The Choice to Surrender

Somewhere, deep within all of us, we know what it is. Perhaps we haven’t said it aloud, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. It is something you are ready to be done with, something that has caused damage, and something that you can’t change on your own. You are ready to be free from it, and today is the day to start.

When facing the challenges of life change or recovery from destructive patterns or addictions, we will face the issue of control. Who will be in control of our decisions, choices and desires? Will we be in control, or will we allow God to be in control? This decision will either lead us in a positive or negative direction. Who we give control to is ultimately the one that we trust the most. The choice to surrender is the decision to trust God and give Him control of our lives.

As we work towards life change, there will be a constant battle between our desires and God’s desires for us. Temptation will always be waiting, and the enemy knows where our weaknesses lie. 

This battle against temptation is truly a battle for control that wages a war within each of us every day.  We can fight this battle of control by making the choice to surrender to God each day. Whenever you start your morning, take some time reading God’s word and pray a prayer of surrender.

Here’s an example: Dear God, I come to you, recognizing that you are in control of all things. You are all-powerful and all-knowing. You know my weaknesses, and so I ask you to protect me from my own desires. Keep me from the temptations of this world and guard my thoughts, actions, attitude and eyes. Help me to honor you in every way. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. (James 1:12-15) 

Reflections:  

1. Why do you find it difficult to give God control?      
2. Why do we want to be in control? What does it give us, what does it cost us?     
3. What are some of the desires that tempt you personally?

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:11-12

The Choice to Take Ownership

As you journey towards life change, you must take ownership of your life, which means taking responsibility for where you are today. All of your choices have led you to this moment. And, if you are not satisfied with where you are—then you have to take the responsibility for the actions that led you here.

However, we live in a world that avoids responsibility. We see others become the victim and blame people or circumstances for their actions. When we fall into this mentality, it changes nothing, and though we may think that we win, we actually lose. Maturity is learning from our mistakes so that we don’t continue making them again and moving forward. 

Here are a few examples of the victim mentality:    

• When we are always talking about ourselves in a negative way    
• When we say things like “I can never do anything right” or “I always mess things up.”     
• When we lack self-confidence like “I’m not good enough”, “I’m not smart enough”, or I don’t think that I can change.

Here is how we blame others for our actions:    

• “The reason that I drink is that my dad always drank.”     
• “The reason that I look at porn is that the guys at work were all looking.” 

Can you relate the victim mentality or blaming others, and not taking responsibility?  In the Bible, there is an example of this with Saul, the first king over Israel. He was a tall, handsome and strong man, but his integrity was weak. He was told to wait until the prophet Samuel met him before doing anything, but he didn’t.

Read 1 Samuel 13:11-12

but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?”

Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”

Saul replied to Samuel with a series of excuses that justified his poor choice of making the burnt offering before Samuel arrived. Excuses are the opposite of taking responsibility and are meant to cover-up our mistakes and failures. All of us have used them, some more than others. But we can make the choice today to take responsibility, stop making excuses and speak the truth about our actions and behavior. This is making the choice to take ownership for your life from this day forward.  

Reflections:   

1. In what areas have you consistently made excuses or blamed others for your actions?    
2. What would it look like to take ownership of your life and your actions? What would change in your life?    
3. Who can you share the truth of your life with, and feel supported and loved?

Scriptures: 1 John 2:1-2, Acts 3:19

The Choice to Heal

None of us are perfect, and because of that, we will sin. No matter how hard we try to do the right things, we will inevitably do the opposite. This can cause us to feel guilt and shame. Over the years, I have known several people who feel that God could never forgive them for their sins; but this is simply not true. Jesus came to the earth to pay the price for our sins so we could be forgiven. If we feel like God could never forgive us, then we are setting a standard higher than God himself has set. We are also saying that Jesus’ death on the cross wasn’t enough to cover our sins.

Read 1 John 2:1-2

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

The word atone means to cover, meaning that through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, our sin is covered with his blood, and we will not be judged for it. This truth brings hope and freedom in our lives. Healing happens when we accept that Christ’s sacrifice covers our sin. This forgiveness is powerful and life changing!

But we must be aware of our sins. We don’t want to get to the place of dismissing them or getting used to them. If this happens, then we have fallen backward, and we’ve allowed certain sins to control us.  This is why it’s important to ask God for forgiveness as well as to repent.

Acts 3:19 says, “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”

Repentance means to turn away from or to move in the opposite direction. When we recognize that we have sinned, God wants us to repent from that sin, and move our lives in the opposite direction. In this way, we can make the choice to heal and walk in forgiveness each day and receive healing from God.  

Ask God to show you today when you sin and then confess your sin and repent of it. You can choose to live in the freedom of His forgiveness and healing!

Reflections:  

1. Have you ever felt like God couldn’t forgive your sins? How has that affected you? What is the truth?    
2. Why do you think that it’s important to not only ask for forgiveness but to repent?    
3. If we continue to sin in the same area, what can we do to change?

Scriptures: Romans 12:2, John 1:12, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 2:9

The Choice to Grow

Growth is part of a healthy life. If we are not growing, then we are not experiencing the abundant life that God has given us. Any effort to live in freedom from addictions, habits and struggles requires a process of growth and intentionality toward healthy living. There are specific choices that help us in our growth. 

One of the most critical things to growth is changing the way that we think. Our thinking affects how we feel, and how we feel affects what we do, which determines the outcomes in our lives. This battle of the mind shapes our view of God and view of ourselves, and these thoughts lead to our belief system.  Depending on your life experiences, these thoughts can lead to many false beliefs.

So, as we start to think about what we think and believe, it’s important to identify the positive and negative words that have been spoken to us. For some, we have been encouraged, invested in and told that we are loved and valued. For others, we have been criticized, neglected and told that we would never be enough. Depending on what words you have received and believed, you have become who you are today. This doesn’t mean that you aren’t meant to grow and change. Our life is in constant motion. It’s up to us to determine to make the choice on how we grow.

In Romans 12:2 it says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

You can choose to allow God to transform your life by changing the way you think, and that will change your beliefs. How you think about yourself and what you believe are so important when it comes to experiencing peace and confidence. You can change your false beliefs by replacing them with the truth of what God says about you.  

Read the following words from God as He speaks these truths directly to you:

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. 1 Peter 2:9

Reflection:  

1. Why is it important to change the way you think?   
2. How have you followed the behavior and customs of this world?   
3. What are some of the false beliefs that have impacted your struggles?   
4. How do you think God sees you? How do you see yourself today?

Scripture: John 15:1-4

The Choice To Connect

We are not meant to do life alone. However, some of us like to be alone; in fact, we prefer to be alone. On the other hand, some of us like to be around people all the time; it even energizes us.

Wherever you fall on the spectrum, it is important to connect with others. When you choose to connect, you are choosing to share your life with someone else. This opens the opportunity for relationship, support and grace to build your life.

The one connection that establishes the foundation for all others is our relationship with God. The more confident we are with him, the more confident we are with others. Confidence comes after knowing and trusting someone. This can only happen by spending quality time with the other person. 

In the book of John, Jesus uses an illustration of a vineyard. He is the gardener, and we are the branches. He desires that we produce as much fruit in our lives as possible. 

Read John 15:1-4

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”

The result of our connection with God is producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. When we choose to abide and spend time with Jesus, it will change the way we live. And in that process, Jesus will prune the parts of our lives that need to be eliminated and grow and nurture the good fruit.

As you choose to connect to God, you can start to experience His goodness and peace. This same experience can happen when you choose to connect with other people too. Life is better when you are together with others and growing in the same direction. 

When we are talking about connection and relationship, it’s important to understand the art of listening. Often, we come to God and tell him what we need, but a healthy relationship goes both ways. We need to listen to what he is telling us. Listening takes time and effort. 

This week, make sure that you set aside some time to connect with God and while doing that, listen to what He is telling you. It may seem difficult at first, but it will be well worth it.

Reflections:  

1. Do you feel like you spend enough time with God each day?    
2. What is the benefit of connecting with God? What kind of fruit does God produce in our lives?   
3. How do you think Jesus prunes our lives? What areas of your life does He need to prune?