So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. John 8:36
I picture a client in my office. She’s crying, sharing that she is stuck in self-loathing because she can’t submit to God and trust Him with her body and food choices. She is overwhelmed with urges to control her eating in a variety of ways, and can’t imagine being free from the thoughts and behaviors. The subject comes up: what is freedom, and how can she grasp it?
This isn’t just one client, it’s many. The answer is typically complicated, and multiple stages of work is involved in the healing process for those in the depths of an eating disorder. However, I don’t think this question is reserved just for those who struggle with disordered eating. Many of us, myself included, have wrestled with the core concept of freedom and how to apply it in real life.
When I Google the definition of freedom, it states: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
This definition makes freedom hard to imagine, because the purest sense of it feels so foreign. How can we really be free? Mustn’t we conform to what is expected of us if we want to be safe, belong, and be accepted? And, if we just do whatever we want, isn’t that self-centered and prideful?
Biblically, freedom from sin is the center of the concept (Acts 13:38-39). It is made possible because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. When we admit our sinfulness and need for salvation, accept Jesus’ sacrifice as the complete payment for our sins, and decide to make Him Lord of our lives, we are set free from the power of sin over us. We are forgiven completely from our sins – past present and future (Hebrews 10:11-14), and don’t have to live under the guilt and shame of what we have done wrong. We are new creations, free to live as the new self we have become in Christ (Ephesians 4:24). When we truly believe that we aren’t under sin and aren’t ashamed of who we are/were, we are free to be the person we were created to be. This opens up a world of opportunity.
It also opens up a world of questions and thoughts from the old self (See Ephesians 4:22), because it feels crazy to be forgiven for everything – even things we haven’t done yet! Questions like: Can I do anything I want to and have no one hold me accountable? What’s to keep me from doing a lot of stupid (or even hurtful) things? I don’t feel that trustworthy! I know that my heart is wicked and deceitful and selfish. It feels safer to be afraid of doing wrong things to keep me in line. And, don’t I deserve to live in punishment for the sins of my past? I did some regrettable things and can’t stop living in the context of them.
It can also feel unfamiliar to be your authentic self. You might be asking: If I am purely myself, will anyone like me? Who am I really, anyway? How will I even know when I am living as the true me that God created? Shouldn’t I try to act in a certain way so people will find me acceptable?
It’s often because of these questions (and many more like them) that we decide, mostly subconsciously, to partially stay in the old self, even though we have complete freedom already in our grasp, as Christians. We’ve practiced the old way of living and thinking and don’t have enough experience, trust, and guidance to really live in the freedom we have in Christ.
To me, freedom means we no longer need to promote or protect self because we are already completely secure in Christ. We don’t have to try to pretend to be smarter or more interesting, wear the most fashionable clothes, or lose weight. It’s not necessary to avoid social situations or challenging opportunities, just in case things don’t go well.
Because you are God’s child, deeply loved and completely accepted, it’s possible to live as your authentic self and consistently know that you’re OK no matter what happens. Yes, we need to worship and seek God consistently with an attitude of submission, but this truth gives foundation to life.
If this resonates with you, begin speaking the truth of who you are in Christ as often as possible. There are many places online to find lists that tell you what the Bible says about each one of us who has received salvation (Google “Who I am in Christ,” or I like this one). This will train your brain to think on what is true (Philippians 4:8) and ready you to experience freedom in a new way. I also encourage you to seek the help of someone who has been walking with Jesus for a long time, to help you think on Truth and answer your honest questions as you gain experience. It is a process, and will usually take time, since your brain has become so accustomed to the old way of thinking and living!
Here are some of the things that freedom in Christ brings:
• Ability to make decisions based on truth and love, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, without the influence of negative self-concept or the need to manage image.
• Capacity to relate to others with wholeness and confidence, knowing you’re forgiven, valuable, wanted, loved unconditionally, and able to love. This makes enjoying other people possible, and relationships easier.
• Relating to yourself with forgiveness and kindness, adjusting self-talk to be encouraging and full of grace. Truth isn’t lost, but learning and growth is more possible when grace is present.
• Self-care becomes a priority, making it possible to be mindful of what you need as a living person, rather than wearily trying to decide what you “should” need.
• Living in your body, whatever shape it is, without shame. Your body is a living sacrifice, and used for God’s glory (Romans 12:1-2).
• Power and desire to live for Jesus and walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 26) without shame or concern about being judged by others (even though we will likely be judged).
• There is no need to try to control circumstances or relationships, because God is in charge of the results. (Prov 16:9, 16:33, 19:21)
• Worry doesn’t come as quickly, and can be dismissed more easily, because again, God is in charge of the results (1 Peter 5:7).
• Acceptance of mistakes and the ability to seek forgiveness without shame. If there are consequences, they are acceptable, because you are still loved and accepted by God, no matter what. Mistakes don’t define you. (Hebrews 12:4-11)
As I write this, I long to live in this complete description of freedom. I am still working on aligning my thought processes with the Truth of God’s Word. It’s OK! I’m excited to see growth and continually ask God to reveal to me more deeply how I can walk in His freedom. It is a beautiful gift, and I don’t take it for granted.
I hope you’ll join me in this journey!