We Are Free | Qualities of Women Who Trust Jesus

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:32

Where the Red Fern Grows is a sweet coming-of-age story about a boy and his hound dogs. In order to train his pups how to hunt for raccoons, the boy, Billy, has to trap one so his dogs will learn the coon’s scent.

Billy’s grandfather teaches him how to create a make-shift coon trap. By digging a hole and placing a shiny piece of tin at the bottom, Billy could pique the curiosity of any coon that passes by. What the coon doesn’t realize is that when he reaches in the hole and grabs the shiny piece of tin, his fist will be caught in a metal brace. The irony of it is that if the coon lets go of the tin, he could pull his hand out and be free, but his stubborn curiosity prevents him from doing so. As long as he keeps his little paw balled up in a fist, he’ll be caught in the trap and remain in danger.

If the coon understood the truth of how his body worked, he would be free from the trap that held him down.

The coon’s predicament reminds me of something Jesus says in John chapter 8. Jesus was in a debate with the religious leaders at the time. They did not believe He was the Son of God, and they were challenging everything He taught. In the middle of the conversation, Jesus turns to the Jewish people who actually did believe Him and says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

Even though he wasn’t talking to the religious leaders, they’re the ones who respond to the statement. They say that they’re not slaves of anyone, so how can they be set free?

Jesus explains that every person who sins is a slave of sin. This is the predicament every human finds themselves in. It’s not a voluntary situation; rather, it’s something we’re born into. Apart from knowing Jesus, we are trapped in our sinfulness. We’re all tangled up in our selfishness, pride, anger, fear and unbelief.

This is why Jesus stepped out of the perfection of heaven and entered the corruption of our world: so that we could be free from the power of sin. Sin’s hold on us is strong, but Jesus is stronger. He lived his entire life as a human facing the same temptations we do yet was able to withstand them all. Not once did he give in to the allurement of sin, even when he was tired, hungry or discouraged.

What temptations are you facing on a regular basis? Are there patterns of sin in your life that you feel powerless to overcome?

We’re all just like the coon in the book, caught in a trap and ignorant of how to get out. If only we understood the truth of how the kingdom of God worked, we would be free from the sin that holds us down.

This is what Jesus was saying that day, and He’s still saying it to us right now. If we know the truth, then it will set us free. Here are two things we know about the truth Jesus is talking about.

The truth is the gospel (Mark 1:14-15). It’s the good news that the really awful situation we’ve been born into has been turned around. Although mankind has disobeyed God and severed the relationship with Him, God has made a way to forgive our sin and restore our relationship with Him.

The truth is Jesus (John 14:6). His life, death and resurrection has defeated sin and death once and for all. Anyone who believes in Him will live with Him forever. We will be totally and completely free of sin and its effects in eternity. But in the meantime— this side of heaven— the reality of our freedom from sin is still true. Knowing Jesus, growing in our relationship with Him, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, we are capable of experiencing freedom from sin right here, right now.

The thing about truth is that it doesn’t change over time. It doesn’t change with the culture or with the movements of constellations or with whatever mood we’re in today. The truth is the reality of who God is, which stays constant under any condition.

As women who trust Jesus, this is good news for us. It means that no matter what temptations we’re facing today, this still holds true: we are free!

For Your Journal

Find It:

In this portion of your journal, write out a Bible verse. You can find a verse that fits a current life situation or use the one we used in today’s devotion.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:32

Fix It:

In this portion of your journal, pull out a few key words from the verse you chose above, or summarize the verse in your own words. Write it in pretty lettering or sketch something that will help you visualize the meaning of the verse and fix it in your mind. Repeat these words to yourself throughout the week to remind you of the truth contained in the scripture. Here are some options:

Set FREE

I am free

Feel It:

In this portion of your journal, write out a prayer. The goal is to absorb the meaning of the Bible passage and let it take root in your heart. Ask the Lord to let his word change you by the power of his Spirit so that you begin to feel like the new person you’re becoming in Christ. Surrender any areas of your life that you are trying to control.

Jesus, I have to admit that there are days when I still feel enslaved to sin. Temptations are strong and the effects of sin permeate so many parts of life. Help me to take a step back and remember the truth of the gospel. Help me to think clearly and to remember that in you, I have been set free from the power of sin. Sin no longer has a claim on me, and I am under no obligation to obey the cravings and desires of my sinful nature. You’ve freed me from all of it! Give me strength to walk in obedience to you today, and let my heart experience the freedom you’ve purchased for me. Amen.