Hello creative friend!
This is week three of twenty in my Freedom Friday posts on Identity in Christ. These blog posts are based on my I Am Journal and I hope you are joining me on this journey whether you own the journal or not.
Our truth topic today is: I am free!

What does is mean to be free? Does it mean that we can do whatever we want whenever we want? Some people would say yes to that but are they truly free?
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:23 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”–but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”–but not everything is beneficial. This verse really sums it up for me.

We have much so called freedom here in the west. We are free to do many things that would not get us into legal trouble. In the western culture we are free to play God in many ways. Our society may see these things as freedom but how many of them have truly counted the cost of these actions? How many are prepared to handle the immediate or future consequences of today’s decisions? Do I count the cost before I act? I often do but there has been times when I’ve convinced myself that the consequences of my decisions wouldn’t be that bad and then the shame comes. It’s just like the enemy to convince us that an action is no big deal only to shame us and accuse us afterward. He is a liar! The cost that Jesus paid for my freedom was His life so yes, it’s a big deal when I choose to throw it away. I can relate to Paul when he lamented that “ I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:18b) I feel Paul’s frustration every time I walk back into something that I’ve been set free from. It actually makes me so mad when I fall back into old patterns of bondage. Think about it, I’m walking around completely free and in the matter of seconds I can send myself back to prison and back to slavery.

You might be thinking that you are free as free can be. You might say that you have no addictions, no bad habits or no habitual sins to speak of but every time you believe a lie, you are in bondage. It truly is the truth that sets you free. (John 8:32)

I can say with utmost confidence that you cannot walk in the true freedom of Jesus unless you believe His truth about yourself.  Tweet that!

When the enemy lies to you and tells you that you will never be free, tell him to get lost and ask Jesus to tell you what He thinks about it.
You are free, my friend. Free to live without chains, free to live the life that Christ died for you to have.

If you are not living a life of freedom, I have no doubt that you are believing lies about yourself, lies that are a direct contradiction to what God has to say about you. Tweet that!

I love the following quote from Beth Moore,

Oddly, the most freeing thing we can ever do is to abdicate the throne of our own miniature kingdoms.” Beth Moore

What do your miniature kingdoms look like? Are they miniature or gigantic? Total freedom can only come when God, and only God is on the throne of your life. I promise you that it’s way better when you let Him be in charge!

I challenge you this week to write down some areas where you are not walking in freedom. Pray about each area and ask God to speak His truth and give you strategies that you can employ to get free.

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

Here are biblical declarations that you can read out loud every day. Declare truth over yourself daily and you will soon believe it! I have included a free printable for you to use, enjoy it!

1- The Holy Spirit lives in me, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

2- Since Jesus has set me free, I am free indeed. (Jonh 8:36)

3- It is for freedom that Christ has set me free, so I stand firm, and I don’t let myself become a slave again. (Galatians 5:1)

4- Through my faith in Jesus Christ I can approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)

5- I live in perfect freedom, because I obey the Lord’s teachings. (Psalm 119:45)
6- I am set free from every sin. (Acts 13:39)
7- I am without blemish and free from accusation. (Colossians 1:22)
8- I am set free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
9- In my distress I pray to the LORD, and He answers me and sets me free. (Psalm 118:5)
10- The truth of Jesus sets me free. (John 8:32)

That’s all I have for today. I pray that this week you will live a little more free than you did last week. Celebrate progress instead of expecting perfection!