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When we talk about being free, we mean being free from sin, bondage, demons, pain, wounds, bad attitudes, and anything else that Jesus came to deliver us from. The Bible says that Jesus sets the captive free, so why aren’t some delivered? John 10:10; Luke 4:18 Here are seven reasons why you aren’t free or why you may not be experiencing freedom:
1. You don’t know you can be free.
Do you know some people only use smartphones for texting, talking, and maybe social media? They have no idea that thousands of apps and built-in functions make their phone.
Do you know that Jesus not only provided for our salvation but also for our freedom, healing, and wholeness? Sometimes, we have all the tools we need for freedom right before us, but we don’t realize it.
The story of Apollos in Acts 18:24-26 shows us that even someone close to the Lord can miss the full extent of their freedom. Some are not free because they do not know they can be!
2. You don’t know how
Amelia walked into my office with thoughts of suicide and murder. As a teenager, she confessed to her youth leader she was having homicidal dreams. Amelia was reassured that she had no spiritual issues as a Christian. Well into adulthood, Amelia knew she needed freedom but had no idea what to do to get it.
Such was the case in Acts 16:27-30 when the jailer suddenly knew he needed to be saved but did not know how! Thankfully, God gave a woman in deliverance ministry a word of knowledge that led to her total freedom.
Before YouTube, there wasn’t a way to learn things quickly without going to a library or finding someone who knew a specific skill. I could learn how to change the oil in my car in the length of time it takes to watch a video. I could also call my dad up and ask him to teach me.
If we want to learn, we can do it! When I tried to learn how to pray, I went to the house of two outstanding intercessors. They prayed together every Tuesday. Kneeling beside them, I learned how to reach heaven!
For those who do not know how to be free, the following ways to learn are beneficial:
- Study freedom in the Bible. The book of Mark is full of deliverance situations.
- Read Books on the subject. Driventobefree.org
- Pray with balanced people who know about deliverance
- Listen to testimonies from others who have been set free
- Videos (Freedom Classes)
- Books (Recommendations.)
- One-on-one prayer sessions with someone who knows how to help people be set free
- Discipleship videos
- If you have a specific issue, go to someone experienced. For example, if your issue is breaking a generational pattern, find someone who knows about familiar spirits or generational curses.
3. You don’t want to be free.
Choosing to remain in bondage when freedom is within reach is like holding onto shackles even though the key is right in front of you. If you resist freedom, ask the Lord to help you desire liberation. King Agrippa was almost persuaded to be a believer. Acts 26:28
Why wouldn’t people want to be free when it is incredible? Some reasons could be:
1. Other Bondage
- Fear
- Unbelief
- Doubt
- Rebellion
- Caring what others think more than God (Idolatry)
2. Issues with the Will
- Do not want to give all to God
- Like the bondage
- Would rather have the bondage as a coping mechanism than seek out God (Idolatry)
Sometimes, people say they want to be free, but will not do what it takes to get or maintain freedom. A person addicted to cocaine cannot live in a crack house while trying to walk out freedom. Someone who is bound to pornography must be willing to have some accountability and not open door to sin.
People often say they want to be free but will not do the necessary work or give up what is needed. Yes, freedom is a gift, but there are things we must do to keep from opening the doors that cause bondage.
4. You don’t believe you can be free.
Unbelief and doubt can hold you back from experiencing the freedom that is already yours in Christ. Mark 4:39-41
Some things that hinder the faith required to walk out freedom might be:
- Past experiences
- Fear
- Unbelief
- Past failures
- False ideas of Who God is
- Hurts and pain
- Have never seen freedom modeled before
- Pride
- Rebellion
- Environment
An excellent prayer for unbelief was from the father of the demonized boy. He had faith, but he also didn’t! So, he cried out, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Guess what! The man’s son received a miracle when he prayed for faith! Mark 9:24
5. Idolatry and Sin
Putting anything above God or in His place is idolatry. Idolatry is a sin that blocks a person from true freedom. Humans can make an idol out of almost anything, including emotions, other people, attitudes, objects, money, power, influence, lifestyles, ideologies, philosophies, and even their religion.
Identifying and removing idols is essential for breaking free from bondage. I once ministered to a man who said he would do anything for God, but he refused to forgive his ex-wife. When we obey God except in one area, He is not Lord in our life, but that one thing is.
In Acts 19:19, they were so over their idolatry and sin that the people came together and burned their magic books! The worth of those books today would be about 4,000,000 dollars, according to Acts242study.com.
I once ministered to a woman trying to eliminate the spirit of divination. She wanted to be free until the Lord wanted her to get rid of a book of spells. She would not obey because the book was worth $800 and was rare. Today, she lives a life she would easily pay thousands of dollars to have avoided.
6. Pride
Pride can manifest in many forms, hindering your ability to humble yourself before God and others. Addressing pride is vital to unlocking the freedom that comes from humility. The unwillingness to humble ourselves will produce the bondage of pride and keep us from total freedom.
When a person doesn’t care what freedom sounds, feels, or looks like, they are free from the pride that will hinder their total deliverance. The Bible says that God resists the proud. How can we be free and be resisted at the same time? James 4:6
7) Unforgiveness
Holding onto unforgiveness ties you to sin and prevents you from experiencing true freedom. Forgiveness is essential for moving forward in freedom and grace. Acts 21:18-25
There are times that I have ministered to people whose deliverance has not been instantaneous but has been progressive. Often, this is when the person has to learn to trust God. As they get free, they begin to trust Him little by little. As they trust, freedom comes. Jesus is very gentle with the broken and hurting. The process of inner healing is beautiful.
By identifying and addressing these barriers to freedom, you can take steps toward experiencing the total liberation that Jesus came to offer. Don’t let anything hold you back from the liberty already within your reach. Ask, seek, and embrace the freedom that is yours in Christ.
What if I’m not free after checking these seven issues?
Pray.
You may want to pray and fast or have others join. It is not my opinion that every stubborn case is related to these seven things, but most often, it is the case. Sometimes,, there are other unknown issues at hand. Remember that when Job was attacked, he was not privy to the information we know. He did not know that the enemy was after him or that he was the hot topic of heaven’s conversation.
Lean into the Word. He is faithful. He will give us the key needed to walk total freedom.
