By Tal Haroni

In today’s world, we all long for something that makes us feel truly free. We want to live our lives without feeling constrained. Advertisements and commercials often try to convince us that they hold the key to happiness and freedom. But we’ve come to realize that these promises usually come with a price tag. We often think that true freedom means having the ability to do whatever we want, love without any commitments or boundaries, and be completely unrestricted in our choices.

“They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for ‘people are slaves to whatever has mastered them’.” 2 Peter 2:19 

The verse above speaks about people promising us freedom, but in reality, they themselves are trapped in corruption. Whatever controls us becomes our master. However, when we choose to obey God, He becomes our loving Lord. If we give in to our selfish desires, those desires take control. And if we conform to the ways of the world, the world becomes our master. 

So, let’s pause and consider this for a moment. Where does real freedom truly come from? It actually comes from deep within our hearts and minds when we reconnect with our true selves and listen to the voice of God, who is our ultimate source of goodness.

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

If we only chase after our worldly desires and let our selfish impulses take control, we won’t truly experience freedom. Simply pursuing our own desires doesn’t bring satisfaction to God or fulfill our genuine purpose. Since God created each of us, it doesn’t make sense to live solely for our selfish desires.

This is exactly what Yeshua wanted the Pharisees to understand in John 8:33-36. He explained to them that although they believed they were free, they were missing out on the truth. Yeshua embodies the truth, and genuine freedom can only be found through knowing Him. We might think freedom means living without commitments or being unaffected by outside influences, but true freedom comes from surrendering our lives to Yeshua.

Surrendering to God is not a one-time event that happens when we get saved; it’s a lifelong process as we grow in our relationship with Him. God is incredibly patient and understanding of our capacity for change. He reveals things to us gradually and helps us let go of them. I can personally recall a time when I used to enjoy certain movies that I can’t even imagine watching now. We’re all on a journey of becoming more like Him, and He lovingly guides us along the way.

As followers of Yeshua, we are called to walk in true freedom. When we truly know Him, we willingly surrender to His loving guidance. We place our trust in Him because we recognize His unwavering goodness and faithfulness. That’s why He assures us,

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

Yeshua is the way, the truth, and the life and as we grow in our relationship with Him, we find genuine freedom.

God extends an invitation for us to know Him as He truly is—to understand His faithfulness, goodness, and His steadfast commitment to fulfilling His promises. From the very beginning, His desire has been to liberate us from the sins of this world. Surrendering to Him and allowing Him greater presence in our minds and hearts is an ongoing journey that brings us ever closer to the abundant freedom He offers. 

1 John 3:2 states,

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him because we shall see him as he is.”

So, today, let’s set out on a path to find freedom by surrendering to God’s loving guidance. Take a moment to reflect and ask Him where you can still grow. Are there any wrong beliefs you have about God? It’s time to let go and invite His truth to fill your mind and heart. It can be really helpful to find a trusted friend to share your thoughts and pray together. Remember, God wants you to experience real freedom. And always remember, it’s a journey of growth and learning, so let’s embrace it with joy.