Freedom Not to Indulge

While Paul says we’ve been called to liberty, we don’t have the liberty to sin.

“Do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh.” (Galatians 5:13b)

In this instance, flesh isn’t what covers our body; rather it’s symbolic for humanity’s sinful nature. It’s a twisted nature centered upon self and it’s own interests. Therefore, humanity has constantly been in rebellion against God.

The Greek word for “opportunity” is used in military strategy as the place where attacks are made from. You might say it’s the base of operations.

Therefore, Paul is saying this freedom we have in Christ is not to be used as a base of operations to continue in sinful activities under the guise of Christian freedom.

Christian freedom is not a freedom to sin. The reality, however, is that we use our liberty in Christ to do whatever we want, which is a more dreadful form of bondage. We become slaves again to our fallen nature all the while thinking we’re free.

If Jesus has set you free, you are free. (John 8:34-36)

But if you continue committing sin, then you’re a slave to its lust and pleasures.

There are many slaves in our society loudly proclaiming their freedom. They speak of their freedom to live in alternative lifestyles; freedom to live how they want, and no one has the right to tell them they’re wrong.

But instead of being free, they’re actually slaves and in bondage to their own appetites.

The reason people give free reign to wrongful behaviors such as sex outside of marriage, pornography, alcoholism, drugs and the like, is because they can’t control themselves, so they rationalize their behavior away.

They’re like a small child on a big horse. The child isn’t strong enough to control the horse, so they let the horse go wherever it wants. The child gives the impression they’re in control, but in reality the horse is the master of the child, not the other way around.