Understanding Freedom Through Truth—John 8:32
Have you ever heard the phrase, “The truth will set you free”? It comes straight from the Bible—John 8:32—and while it gets quoted a lot, its real meaning is both powerful and practical for everyday life.
Let’s put it in plain language. When Jesus spoke these words, he was talking to people who started to believe in him because of what he said and did. He encouraged them to stick with his teachings and trust his promises, even when life threw temptations or problems their way. If they did this, they’d be his true followers. But more than that, his words promised a freedom that goes beyond what we usually think about.
What Does “Freedom” Really Mean?
Most of us, when we think about freedom, picture things like being able to make our own choices, own property, or live without anyone bossing us around. We worry about our jobs, our homes, and our daily struggles. That’s natural! But Jesus was talking about a different kind of freedom—a spiritual freedom.
He said that anyone who keeps doing wrong, even small things, is actually a slave to that wrong. It’s like being caught in a trap or in chains you can’t see. Maybe it’s a bad habit, a grudge, or an attitude you just can’t shake. You might not even realize you’re stuck. But the truth is, if something controls you—anger, jealousy, addiction, selfishness—it’s running your life.
The Truth That Sets Us Free
So, what’s the truth that sets us free? It’s the message Jesus brought: that God loves us, forgives us, and wants us to live a better, more honest life. The Christian faith teaches that believing in Jesus and following his teachings breaks the hold that these bad habits and negative feelings have over us. In simple terms, the truth about Jesus, and about what’s really important in life, helps us let go of the things that tie us down.
It’s not about following a bunch of rules or living with guilt. True religion, according to Jesus, isn’t a form of slavery or oppression—it’s actually the opposite. It’s about leaving behind the things that keep us from being happy and whole.
Real Freedom Comes From the Inside
When you know the truth—when you accept it and let it change you—you find a freedom that goes deeper than anything else. You’re no longer controlled by things like anger, envy, or fear. You’re not weighed down by mistakes from the past. Instead, you become more yourself, more at peace, and more able to enjoy life.
As the old saying goes:
“He is the freeman whom the truth makes free, and all are slaves beside.”
That means, real freedom isn’t about what’s happening around us, but what’s going on inside us. It comes from giving ourselves to God, whose way is gentle and whose love is real.
A Simple Takeaway
In short, the “truth” Jesus talks about isn’t something mysterious or hard to get. It’s the good news that, no matter what, there’s a way out of the things that hold us back. By trusting him, we can be truly free—from guilt, from bad habits, and from anything that keeps us from being the best version of ourselves.
So, next time you hear “the truth will set you free,” remember—it’s not just a saying. It’s a promise that can change your life, inside and out.
Minister A Francine Green
July 2025
afrancinegreen.com 