Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Seeing a Soul Set Free


Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper; the snare is broken and we have escaped. Psalm 124:7

Have you ever known someone who is in bondage of one form or another? Maybe it is a habit, a mindset, a stronghold, an addiction, or a generational bent. Internally, they are held captive to forces that seem to work against them. They rise each day under a cloud of oppression, suspicion, and hopelessness. They long for freedom from the thoughts, feelings, and emotions. What a beautiful picture the psalmist gives us as to what is possible in Christ.

I have recently watched a special person in my life experience the freedom from such entrapment by the enemy. His world had become dark in the midst of trying circumstances. Feeling like his life was under the control of anyone but himself, the enemy took advantage of his situation and entrapped him with bitterness, negativity, hopelessness, and fear. His mindset was such that it darkened his world to the point that he was unable to see God’s hand in his life, any good things that were happening, and any reason to joy in life. It affected every area of his life and there did not seem to be an end in sight for even the slightest deliverance. His circular reasoning always seemed to send him spiraling down into a pit of despair.

What a joy it has been in the last couple of days to see his soul set free! His freedom from entrapment came as he saw that his problems did not lie in his circumstances but rather in his thought patterns. He had become so use to believing the lies of the enemy that he was missing the key to freedom. What is the key? Truth! Truth about God, truth about himself, and truth about his life. It has been in grabbing hold of Scripture and biblical principles that he has been able to wield a sword against the lies. He discovered he has a choice as to what he will fix his mind on.

He is learning the power of simply saying, “I am not going there” when wrong thinking comes his way. He is testing his thoughts through the grid of truth. And the result is astounding. Although his circumstances have not changed, his eyes now dance with life, his voice reflects truth and peace, and his entire demeanor has been transformed. I delight in the privilege of seeing this miracle unfold right in front of my eyes!

Father, the Truth really does set us free! May others discover life outside the entrapments and snares of the enemy. Amen.