What does it mean to be free? Freedom is typically thought of as being able to choose where we live and what we do for work—and having enough money. While those things are a part of being free, the Bible tells us that it’s possible to have all that and still be trapped. We might be ...
- Trapped in bad habits.
- Trapped in a negative mindset.
- Trapped in shame.
- Trapped in numbness or aimlessness.
- Trapped in unhealthy relationships.
Maybe you know all those feelings. But there’s good news. God wants to help you find deep freedom so you can live the meaningful, joy-filled life He’s called you to live.
The Truth Will Set You Free Bible Verse
In John 8, Jesus described how to live in freedom:
... Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 NIV
But these words didn’t inspire or encourage His followers. Instead, they were confused. “Free?” they said. “We’re already free. How does your truth change that?”
Jesus went on to proclaim that He’d come to set people free from sin. Our sins are the choices or mistakes we make that hurt us, others, and God.
Sin is the opposite of God’s will and disrupts the life and peace He’s working to create. But sin is more than just individual actions we take—Jesus explained that we’re all trapped in sin and need the freedom only He can give.
Ever Feel Trapped in Sin?
How do those words make you feel? What questions come up for you?
Many of us know exactly what it’s like to be considered free but feel trapped at the same time. We know the right thing to do, but we keep going back to the same old habit or mindset.
Maybe you feel angry all the time, which creates relational tension. Or you might be struggling with a secret sin you’ve been trying—and failing—to deal with on your own. You might be dealing with pride or feeling chronically superior to people with differing beliefs and backgrounds.
Whatever it is for you, you can find freedom through Jesus. All of us have some kind of sin pattern holding us back, but every follower of Jesus also has the truth of God on their side. Jesus introduces us to truth—the powerful truth that can set us free.
Who Is Truth?
Wait, shouldn’t that question be, “What is truth?”
Sometimes, it’s easy to find out the truth. For example, if someone told you the sky was green, you could check that out pretty quickly. But sometimes, it’s harder to know what is true, especially when we can’t rely on a clear, observable fact. Just think about some of the big questions you’ve asked yourself in the past (or might be asking right now).
Questions like ...
- What do I do with my life?
- How should I use my time and money?
- What will make me happy?
- What does it mean for me to be successful?
If you type those questions into a web search engine, you’ll get countless answers. Each will share their own version of truth—and a lot of them will disagree with each other!
Where Do We Find Truth?
While we can find helpful advice on the internet, we all know that it can also offer some shady stuff—guidance that might sound reasonable at first, but will end up doing more harm than good.
We have to decide what we’ll accept as truth and what we’ll keep at a distance. But how do we make that decision?
On Jesus’ final evening with His disciples before going to the cross, He encouraged His friends to continue pursuing Him. One disciple asked how they could follow Him if they didn’t know the way to where He was going.
Jesus replied: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6 NIV
Who is truth? It’s Jesus.
What did Jesus mean by this? One common way of understanding this statement is that Jesus was inviting His followers to imitate His way of life.
Jesus is God in human form. While on earth, He helped people get to know God. He did this through sharing the goodness of God’s love, inviting people to turn from sin, and healing people. He also confronted injustice, built diverse friendships, and announced that anyone could have a relationship with God.
The Bible shows us that truth is a person—Jesus. When we look at how Jesus lived and loved, we see the truth in action.
We don’t simply learn truth; we pursue a relationship with Jesus, the source of truth.
We don’t simply learn truth; we pursue a relationship with Jesus, the source of truth. He shows us through His words and actions how to overcome bad habits, heal relationships, and develop godly money habits. But that’s not all.
Just think of the questions we asked earlier:
- What do I do with my life?
- How should I use my time and money?
- What will make me happy?
- What does it mean for me to be successful?
Jesus’ life and teachings give us truth and wisdom we can apply to any of these questions.
How to Find Freedom in Christ
Paul, an early follower of Jesus, talked about what it practically looks like to find freedom through Jesus.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
What is the pattern of this world? It’s a way of talking about anything that’s common, accepted, or even celebrated by culture.
Let’s think about what we’ve heard from culture, friends, and family about what it means to live a full, meaningful life. You’ve probably gotten some great advice that aligns with God’s truth. But all too often, we end up believing some harmful lies as well.
Maybe you’ve heard that the key to happiness is working nonstop to get a big promotion, or that true fulfillment comes through a romantic relationship. And someone’s likely told you that the key to lasting peace is a steady income and a full bank account.
Jesus Invites Us to Resist Culture
Jesus invites us to resist the pull of culture’s “truth” by following Him, the ultimate source of truth.
Culture isn’t necessarily good or evil. It’s simply a mirror of humanity’s collective character. Christians can celebrate and embrace certain aspects of culture, but we can’t fully conform to culture and let it define truth. Why?
Culture’s version of truth often keeps us trapped in comparison, anxiety, despair, and self-focus—but the way of Jesus can set us free.
Paul also encouraged Jesus followers not to think too highly of themselves and to remember that every person has unique, God-given skills and abilities. Paul then challenged believers to be examples of peace, hospitality, generosity, and forgiveness.
Sounds simple, right? Maybe even a little too simple. Let’s be honest—we all know that generously serving others is good. So what makes this truth so profound? And how will it set us free?
You were made with a purpose—to live and love like Jesus. But culture’s version of “truth” often leads us to pursue relationships, goals, habits, and possessions that don’t help us become the people God made us to be.
Sometimes false truth comes in the form of distractions. Other times it leads to outright sin. Either way, fully conforming to culture causes us to live outside of our calling and purpose. Sure, it might lead to greater short-term success, pleasure, or wealth, but it ultimately leads us to feel trapped, numb, or stuck in life.
So what’s the solution? Jesus, the source of truth.
What Does “The Truth Will Set You Free” Mean?
When we pursue Jesus, we begin to discover, day by day, what it means to be truly free. As we choose to be generous, we find ourselves being less attached to our stuff. As we serve our neighbors, we become less focused on our own wants. And as we pursue spiritual practices like prayer, reading the Bible, and gathering with other Jesus followers, we find it easier to resist sin.
In other words, we’re free to pursue the life we were made to live.
Consistently following Jesus doesn’t guarantee a pain-free, wealthy, and highly influential life. But it does lead to a meaningful, hopeful, and purpose-filled life. The kind of life that’s joyful no matter the circumstances, confident because we know that our home is in heaven, and as free from sin as it’s possible to be in this life.
Following Jesus toward freedom is a journey that takes a lifetime, and we won’t always get it right. That’s okay. God knows we aren’t perfect and constantly gives us opportunities to start again. As we keep pursuing Jesus, we immerse ourselves further in life-giving truth. And in learning and living the truth, we find true freedom in Him.