“It is the absolute will of God for every person to be released from every prison or fetter which encases and binds.” This opening sentence from chapter 1 of The Bible Tells Me So, by Victor Paul Wierwille, is a profound statement that deserves careful consideration. Let’s look at God’s Word to see how we can be released from such negatives and live a life that is free from fear, worry, anxiety, guilt, bondage, and condemnation. We’ll begin in John 8 to see promises about freedom that Jesus Christ taught his followers. Next, we’ll look at several occurrences in the Old Testament where God encouraged His people to not be afraid. Finally, we’ll consider three things we can do to live a life free from fear and bondage.
In John 8 we find tremendous promises that are available, and we also learn how to receive them. Being able to know the truth and to be free indeed are blessings that help us live the more abundant life that God desires for us to manifest. Let’s take a careful look at these verses, examining some of the words to see how we can apply these truths in order to live a life free from fear and bondage.
John 8:31,32,36:
Then said Jesus to those Jews [Judeans] which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
In verse 31 we see that Jesus spoke to those who believed on him (not to unbelievers). God’s promises are available to people when they believe. The word “If” means there is a condition to be met before the promise is received. That condition is continuing in the Word. The word “continue” is the Greek word menō. It means to abide, dwell, stay, or remain. The clause “then are ye my disciples indeed” points us to the results we can expect as we continue in the Word. The Greek word for “indeed” means truly, really, or certainly. It affirms the truth that as we faithfully continue in the Word, then we develop a lifestyle of being disciples of Jesus Christ.
The word “know” in verse 32 is the Greek word ginōskō. This word doesn’t mean to simply memorize information. On the contrary, it means “to know by experience or effort.”
So what is it to be made free? The Greek word translated “make…free” in verses 32 and 36 is eleutheroō and means to free, to set at liberty, or to save from thralldom (the state of being a slave). A related Greek word, eleutheros, in verse 36 is used to show we shall be “free”—at liberty—indeed. This promise of freedom in John 8 includes being made free from fear and mental bondage. As we continue in God’s Word, we are made free and set at liberty from the binding negatives of fear and mental bondage.
I experienced fear and mental bondage in a job situation. About two years after I began working at a printing company, my store was really struggling in sales. Because many of my duties involved generating more sales, I began to get anxious about the situation. I was even told that if the store did not start performing better, I would most likely no longer be working there.
During this difficult time at work, I started letting the fear of losing my job affect my decisions in negative ways. When I realized what was going on in my life—how I was letting fear affect me—I began taking believing steps toward freedom from bondage. The realization that I was succumbing to fear was actually more startling than the possibility of losing my job! I made the conscious decision to not be afraid but to trust God, and things began to change for the better.
One of the steps I took was to ask other disciples in our Branch to pray for my store’s success. Within two weeks of getting them involved, I saw a huge shift in positive momentum, and my work situation greatly improved. In fact, a few months later I was asked to begin managing the store, and we experienced huge increases in sales.
When I recognized where fear was getting into my life and began confessing what the Word of God says, I was made free from fear in this situation, and my store prospered like never before. When we trust God, take action on His Word, and go to other disciples who will believe with us for God’s deliverance, we can expect outstanding results!
Now let’s look at some scriptures that encourage God’s people to “fear not” and “be not afraid.” Even though these verses are in the Old Testament and not directly addressed to us, we can learn from them. Let’s read them in light of this dynamic truth in Romans regarding all of the scriptures written prior to the Grace Administration, which began on Pentecost.
Romans 15:4:
For whatsoever things were written aforetime [before the day of Pentecost] were written for our learning, that we through patience [patient endurance] and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
As you enjoy reading these verses, keep in mind that God’s exhortations to “fear not” and “be not afraid” have not changed throughout all the ages. He loves you and wants you to be free from fear and mental bondage….
This is an excerpt from the September/October 2016 issue of The Way Magazine.
Copyright© 2016 by The Way International. All rights reserved.
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