1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. (KJV)

Are you letting your freedom create a snare?

It is a wonderful thing to experience the freedom God has given you, isn’t it? You can choose to love Him, choose to serve Him, chose to allow Him to lead you in the decisions you make, choose to honor Him with your life, etc. You can also choose not to. Yet, regardless of the choices you make, you continue to breathe every day, because He allows it. Now, here is the test. If you have been a part of the Kingdom of believers for a while, you probably have had many opportunities to decide whether you were going to do what you wanted to do or what you knew God desired and required you to do. What have you chosen in the past? What do you continue to choose? When you read the Bible, it reminds you; you have free will. It also gives you the heart and desires of the Father. However, you decide what you will or will not do, where you will or will not go, what you will or will not say, etc. Every time you chose God, you give Him your gift of submission to the authority of the word. You say to Him, Your will be done, not mine.

Because we have free will, we mistakenly think that we can do what we want. Because we accepted salvation, we can take advantage of the fact that we are no longer under the condemnation of the law. If we are not careful, our freedom can cause a snare. As you look at this table, you will gain clarity.

2 Corinthians 9:7-10 Giving grows out of the heart—otherwise, you’ve reluctantly grumbled “yes” because you felt you had to or because you couldn’t say “no,” but this isn’t the way God wants it. For we know that “God loves a cheerful giver.” 8 God is ready to overwhelm you with more blessings than you could ever imagine so that you’ll always be taken care of in every way and you’ll have more than enough to share. 9 Remember what is written about the One who trusts in the Lord: He scattered abroad; He gave freely to the poor; His righteousness endures throughout the ages. 10 The same One who has put seed into the hands of the sower and brought bread to fill our stomachs will provide and multiply the resources you invest and produce an abundant harvest from your righteous actions. (TVT)

Know this. Whenever you submit to God, whether it is your time, your talent, your money, your treasures, your choices, etc., do it cheerfully. Live a free life in the liberty Jesus died for. Whom the Lord has made free is free indeed. However, don’t allow your freedom to take you places that do not represent God’s best or cause you to hinder someone else’s growth. With freedom comes responsibility. If you know your conduct is not pleasing to God, stop doing it (and the Holy Spirit will let you know.) If you know your actions will cause a brother or sister to stumble, refrain from them. You change your behavior, not because God forbids you, you have free will. You change because you want to walk in the knowledge of the Lord. It’s the only way one who loves God should walk, love, and live!

Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father, I thank You for my freedom. I repent for those times I allowed my freedom to create a snare for me and also for others. I thank You for allowing me to choose to serve You with a cheerful heart. I don’t feel like there are things I cannot do or places I cannot go. I choose not to do what grieves You. Because Your Spirit lives in me, I choose not to take You any place You would not be at peace. I will allow Your Spirit to govern me. I thank You for keeping me. I will not use my freedom as an excuse or permission to sin. Thank You Father God, for touching my heart, and making me even more concerned about my brothers and sisters. I will not knowingly cause anyone to stumble. I thank You for continuing to grow me up. I especially thank You for showing me that being a cheerful giver is not just about money. I love what You’re doing in my life. I thank You for Your concern for my life. I thank You, Father God, for the longsuffering You show me when I slip or when I selfishly make the wrong choice. You don’t forsake me; You are yet right there. Thank You for giving me an opportunity to get it right every day. My desire is for my life to bless You…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here: