Freedom, and Using the Holy Spirit's gift within us

Freedom is far more than being able to do what we want when we want. Being governed by each urge and temptation of the day is no freedom at all; rather we become slaves to these desires. God calls us to look deeper than our own desires, practicing the Spirit’s gifts of temperance and fortitude, in order to transcend our own desires. It is in mastering temptation that true freedom lies.


This is so different from the philosophy that we are sold each day, especially that taught to our children by all of the technology and “things” of the world. To give in to these urges is a temptation in itself; made even more challenging by the fact that so many people around us believe this philosophy to be correct. It has been a fact of the world since the fall of man in Eden that we are constantly bombarded by temptation each day.

Lent is the opportunity we take each year to fight these ideas. It is a time of discipline and renewal. As we each take a chance to give up something we enjoy, the reward is self-control and a command over one’s desires. In doing so, we can break the bonds of sin that bind us as slaves to the world and be welcomed into the Lord’s house as sons or daughters.

As the angel of the Lord saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fire (Daniel 3:95), may the rest of this Lent be a time for us to let God free us from our desires.