The Removal of Blinders and Chains

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31, 32

One of the greatest desires we have is to be free. Jesus came to set us free and this passage gives the promise of freedom but it is based on a condition. So often we want the freedom but are either ignorant of the condition or unwilling to meet it. True freedom comes by not only knowing Christ as our Savior but by continuing in His Word. Not just reading it and accepting what it says, but believing it, standing by it, abiding in it, obeying it, and applying it. It is not just giving mental assent to what God says and accumulating the facts, but it is understanding His Words as truth and seeing them as necessary for change, freedom, empowerment, and growth.

I use to look at this verse and think if I take in enough truth it will change me. It will fix what is wrong with me. So I read countless books, listened to incredible speakers, poured into God’s Word, and became a sponge for knowledge. The problem is that while it excited me and fed me I failed to see any real change deep inside and still lived in bondage in numerous areas of my life. Not only physical bondage but mental, spiritual, and emotional bondage. I cannot express to you the confusion that grew in me as I realized the results I was hoping for were not forthcoming. And to make matters worse, I felt I had once again come to a point in my life whereby I could not admit to anyone that my life still had gaping holes that left me feeling empty, hopeless, and insignificant.

The problem was that while I knew a lot of truth I still had blinders on that prevented me from really digesting, understanding, and taking in the truth. When God removed the blinders and helped me to finally grasp truth, internal changes came that left me open mouthed with wonder! Missing pieces started falling into place, the fog of confusion cleared away, chains of bondage began to fall aside, and I finally saw God as my true Healer and Deliverer. Each day is now filled with discovery that is leading to continual growth and change. I am passionate when I say, “If God can do this for me He can do it for anybody!”

Father, I feel like I am tasting freedom for the first time. It is daily being served on a platter of truth for which I am ravenous with hunger. With outstretched arms, receptive heart, and open mind I come to You. Amen.