Three Keys to Freedom
“By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” – Proverbs 16:6 (KJV)
The Book of Proverbs has application written all through it. However, if we read it too fast and just as a “daily chore,” we can miss some very important statements. Many of us are fighting the bondages of sin, guilt, shame, etc. At the same time, some of us have been fighting and sometimes laying down for Satan to overrun us for quite some times. It’s in times of acknowledging that God uses the truth of Gods Word to lead us to the right path.
Mercy and Truth
First things first, mercy and truth causes a purging of iniquity, both in our hearts and essentially salvation if we aren’t saved. Mercy is a tricky one, because often when we are wrong the first thought isn’t mercy, which is where we need to renew our minds (Romans 12:2). Mercy isn’t a learned behavior at birth, it’s an action that we have to take steps to continue in. So, to fight off sin, start with forgiving others, producing mercy.
What is Truth? Pilate asked the same question and he was the “top dog” of His day (John 18:38). Little did he know, he was standing right in front of it, because Jesus is the Word of God made flesh (John 1:1-3). The only way to combat sin is through faith in the truth of Gods Word. An unopened Bible is almost like non-verbal approval from us to him to attack us relentlessly. The only way to change that is by action, just like with mercy, we have to work at it, slowly building it into our lives.
The Fear of the Lord
The fear of The LORD is often a miscommunicated statement, because fear is the last thing God wants to rule your life. It can be confusing, but lets check the truth: “God has not given us the spirit of fear.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Let’s shatter the myth that God wants us to “fear” him once and for all, because that is a bondage to some people. The word fear in simple means to give reverence to; that is it and that is all.
Ultimately, when we apply mercy to the lives of others, also ourselves, when we grab ahold of the Word of God we find ourselves in that respect of God. While involving ourselves in that, we find that we want to intentionally avoid sin. Don’t worry, the natural self wants it, that’s how you know the Spirit of God is leading you (Galatians 5:16).
The Illustration
Imagine the truth of Gods Word as oil, the Holy Spirit is often a reference symbolically to oil (Psalm 92:10). As we walk in the truth and pray God fills us daily to overflow (Ephesians 5:18).
The oil is poured all over us and Satan, seeking to only devour and destroy us tries to get his “grip” on us, but we are “slippery” by Gods grace, so He cannot take hold. Sure, he can intimidate, harass, scream and yell, but he will slowly lose his grip on us if we apply these principles. This is what we long for and what is indeed, available for us by grace.
The Recap
Mercy is given from God, setting an example for us to give mercy to others.
Guilt will be removed from your heart.
When truth is a focal point of your life sin will lose its grip, you build this into your life.
You will begin to avoid sin and want to avoid sin when you respect and honor God.
A Prayer for Freedom
Father God, I pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us, to guide us, to protect us and to free us. Lord, we ask Your blessings of freedom from guilt and habitual sins. Lord, we pray for truth and mercy to be in our hearts, forgiving and being forgiven. Lord, let truth strengthen us to the point where we participate in the breaking of the chains on our lives in Jesus Name. Amen.