I don't know about you, but when I'm on a journey, I like to know exactly where I'm going. I don't like surprises, unexpected detours, taking a wrong turn, getting lost - I want to do it right the first time. But, on a journey of any length, the unexpected seems to happen.

The same is true of life...surprises, detours, wrong turns, getting lost...one day our path is clear and it's smooth sailing - the next day we're struggling and confused about which road to take. So, how do we still experience the abundant life Jesus talks about in John 10:10?

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

Galatians 5:1 

 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

 

There is a pathway of freedom - Christ has paved the way to abundant life in Him by laying His life down for us. Freedom is not the absence of problems but the promise that He will bear our burdens and enable us to move on - past our emotions, past old habits, past false ways of thinking...and on to Truth.

 

To recognize Truth, we must also recognize our enemy.

 

"...he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44

"...for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." 2 Cor. 11:14

 

Satan is a liar; his goal is the complete opposite of abundant life - his goal is to destroy. He's subtle, always trying to deceive, trying to make sin look appealing. So why do we fall for his deceptions?

 

Think about this ladies....Satan chose to target the woman - that's significant! That's part of Satan's strategy. If we as women buy into his deception, he knows we will influence the men around us. Our choices will affect our family members, our children, our friends, our acquaintances. A pattern will be set for future generations. Take a minute to ponder the impact of that my friends.

 

Consider the influences we have coming into our lives: movies, TV, books, magazines, advertisements, Facebook, Twitter, the Internet, friends, relatives, counselors, coworkers - you get the idea - we're bombarded on all sides. Do we mindlessly accept whatever we hear and see without seriously considering the consequences of our choices?

 

That's how it all began in the Garden of Eden. Eve listened to the lies Satan told her. Listening started a slippery slope that led to sin. Just like Eve, after we listen to a lie, we start to dwell on it. We mull it over, we consider it, we even start to think it sounds appealing . . . Satan certainly did not offer Eve a bad apple - that apple looked juicy, red, delicious, irresistible!  Next the seed that was sown takes root and begins to grow - we believe the lie. Then we act on the lie and before we know it, a stronghold has been established - one that may impact the rest of our lives. 

 

As we move forward with this study, let us move from bondage to freedom, let us follow the path of the Bereans in Acts 17:11.

 

"...for they received the message with great eagerness

and examined the Scriptures every day

 to see if what Paul said was true."

 

Let us learn to examine, to search Scripture eagerly and

• identify the area of bondage or sin - ask God to show us specific areas that may not be obvious
• identify the lie at the root of that bondage or sin
• replace the lie with the Truth

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 8:32