Thursday, September 20, 2012 -- Freedom For The Oppressed

One of the most appealing things people crave is freedom, the opportunity to have control of our own lives and make our own decisions about what they want to do and when.  In the Garden of Even story, the real reason Satan tempted the first man and woman to eat the fruit was to have them move to a place where they thought this would give them what they needed.  The temptation wasn’t just about eating a piece of fruit.  The temptation was to a fantasy life where a person could supposedly figure out right and wrong on their own without God having to be involved.  In that way, it seemed they could be “free.”  What that story clearly shows us, however, is that what Satan offered was an empty lie.  There is no human wisdom that can keep us free without God’s voice constantly guiding us and helping us to adjust.  We will self-destruct in one way or another unless we listen carefully to God’s plans for this day.

Along with King David we can say to God: "You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory."  And the Lord says back to us, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”  Psalm 32:7-8 NLT)

We wonder why we live confused and under a heavy oppressive cloud.  That's the result of our believing Satan's lies and turning away from God's sure path for us.  God says we are prone to being deceived but if we will listen carefully to His voice, God lovingly communicates the best path for us every day of our lives, in every situation we encounter.  We can try in whatever ways we choose to find pleasure, deal with pain, gather companionship, and search for security and meaning.  No amount of money, sex, dopamine rush, prestige or power will satisfy us and give us safety or true freedom.  All that will happen as we seek after these is that we’ll hurt ourselves and others and end up burdened and oppressed. 

The ultimate deception is to believe that we’re safe from deception. We are prone to being deceived every day of our lives and must stay on guard.  God is available to help. Jesus said:  “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18 NIV).

(Adapted from "Temptation and Deception" - Life With God in Recovery) Copyright 2012 Partners In Hope Recovery Society