We all want it.
We often misunderstand it.
Too often, we consider freedom to mean our ability to do whatever we want to do. But the problem with that is the reality that we cannot live that way. What we want to do may not be what we need to do. It may not be what is beneficial for us to do. What we want to do may even be harmful for us.
Considering the idea of “whatever I want to do”, where do our desires come from? They come from what we see, what we hear and what we think. But what we see, hear and think may not be a good thing to desire or give our attention to.
Remember, the very first desire contrary to God’s spoken will was a thought given to Eve from the devil.
That brings us to the heart of the matter. We did not make ourselves. God made us. We are made in his likeness and image. The only way to have true joy, peace and freedom is to live as God created us to live. He tells us how to do that.
It is only then we can begin to understand what Paul was writing about when he said:
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 NIV)