Spiritual (Real) Freedom and How to Get It

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom” James 2:12.

This verse tells us the law gives freedom. What does that mean, exactly? How can rules or restraints make us free? The first thing to note is that there’s really no difference between spiritual freedom and plain old freedom.

Adding the word “spiritual” just complicates matters. And I like to keep things simple. To read the entire chapter to gain some context, click here.

The Kingdom of God is made up of paradoxes, and this is one of them. A child, when under the authority of their parents, must obey rules put in place by the parents. The rules are designed to protect the child and promote their well-being.

But the child doesn’t always want to obey the rules. That’s because they don’t understand they are for their good. He/she may even think the rules are there to keep them from having any fun. Or because the parents are mean.

An Amazing Transformation: Spiritual Freedom

But if the child abides by the rules and submits to the authority of their parents, an amazing transformation takes place. As he/she matures the rules will chafe less and less.

This is because they will begin to see their value to promote their welfare. Once they reach maturity, he/she no longer needs to be told to brush their teeth, stay out of the street, eat their vegetables.

He/she knows to do these things and does them willingly because they now have the wisdom to see their value. They needed the law as a child because they didn’t have the wisdom or insight to do these things on their own.

But being obligated to do these things by virtue of the rules gradually produced in the child the ability to distinguish between right and wrong (or what’s in their best-interest). This is wisdom.

They learned by being compelled to do those things that were in their best interest. And that promoted their well-being.

Therefore, as a mature adult, she/he does these things willingly and without being told. In other words, she/he has freedom. (You could call it spiritual freedom if you want, but it’s really just plain old everyday freedom to do as you please).

They still do what is right (what’s in her/his best interest). They still abide by the spirit of rules, so to speak. But they are free because they now do it willingly.

When We See Value, We Have Freedom to Act

They see the value in these things and therefore do them freely and by choice. A child who has not been made to abide by rules struggles as an adult to do the things that promote their well-being. They do not yet have freedom.

If they do these things at all, it’s under compulsion and against their will. Or they simply don’t do the things that make for a responsible, mature adult. And have a miserable life as a result.

This truth can also be seen in the way a person overcomes a sin habit. In order to be set free you initially have to submit to strict rules with regard to that issue.

The bulimia I struggled with for years is a good example. At first, in order to get set free, I had to abide by the stringent rule of eating only three meals a day. No snacks, no days off, no excuses.

At first this was hard. I was in the habit of bingeing for emotional reasons. So, to abide by my rule meant there were times negative emotions raged and I couldn’t comfort myself with food.

I had to wait until mealtime. But an amazing transformation took place. After a while, I didn’t get tempted as often or an intensely. To read about my struggle click here.

How to Have your Cake and Eat it Too

And eventually I didn’t get tempted to binge anymore at all. I began to thoroughly enjoy my meals. I wasn’t wracked by guilt and self-loathing when I ate. And I ate anything I wanted as long as it was at mealtime. And I lost weight to boot! To use an old cliche’, I really did have my cake and ate it too!

I still generally abide by that rule to eat only at mealtimes years later. But it’s not something I do under compulsion, against my will anymore.

I have no desire to eat between meals. And it’s not hard to refrain from doing so. But I had to be “under the law” at first in order to be set free from my bondage.

The Law Brought About Spiritual (Real) Freedom

The law brought about freedom. So now I’m never tempted to binge or engage in emotional eating. I usually choose to eat only at mealtimes, and I quit when I’m full. This is one area of my life where I can truly say I have complete freedom.

I can eat anything I want at my meals, and I’ve been able to stay at my desired weight. Even after four children and advancement to middle-age.

To read similar posts to Spiritual (Real) Freedom and How to Get It, see Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife: Why Did He Resist?

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