How the truth makes me free – constantly

Jesus says in John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” and this is what I have experienced throughout my life.

Acknowledging the truth = transformation

As a young teenager, I gave my life to Jesus and wanted to live wholly for him. Then God started speaking to me about my behavior at home. He made me aware of my unwillingness to help out, and also of the nasty way I would talk to my brothers when I was irritated with them.

God’s Word teaches us: “… first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.” 1 Timothy 5:4. This verse made an impact on me and I felt like a hypocrite – being helpful and kind to other people while the opposite was true at home with my family.

It was then that I really saw that I needed to change. Often, I would let out some harsh, sarcastic or mocking words and end up hurting others. I had to ask my brothers and parents for forgiveness for my behavior time and again, and it was very humiliating. This was a great battle for me – to humble myself and acknowledge that I was wrong. But by getting to know my selfishness and unkindness, my hatred against these sins grew. My sins became my enemies, and by acknowledging the truth about myself, I was set free from these enemies.

Eventually, I stopped ever getting angry at my brothers, and I became willing to help my parents without being asked. This was a work that God did in me because I humbled myself and acknowledged the truth about myself. Consequently, I was set free from my former behavior more and more; I was happy and the ones around me had a better life too!

Persistence gives results

In 1 Peter 5:5 it says that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” A humble person loves and acknowledges the truth about his own sin, and he wants to overcome it. He is persistent like the widow who did not give the unjust judge rest until she got what she wanted – her right to overcome her enemy! (Luke 18:2-8) Those who love God and want to keep His commandments are like this widow. They persist in prayer and press into God for grace and strength until they overcome their enemy, their sin: unwillingness, anger, backbiting or any other sin.

“And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.” Luke 18:7-8. This is how I have experienced it.

Acknowledging the truth = humbling myself

In life, we meet many different circumstances – all opportunities to find more of what makes us feel unhappy inside – our sin. At one point, something was very difficult for me. I felt like: “This should not happen to me. Something is wrong here.” I almost accused myself for having caused this.

I was troubled about the whole situation, but God who knew what I needed, gave me the answer straight from heaven: My whole problem was pride! I was thinking that I deserved something better! But God was right. What a relief it was to humble myself and agree with God – He had placed me in this circumstance for my very best! “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.

Jesus says to acknowledge the truth, and the truth shall set you free. (John 8:32) I was set free from some of my pride, from thinking that I deserved something better, from discontentment and a lack of thankfulness. A great burden fell off me and I became so happy, like a slave set free. I even got to see how God had actually blessed me more than I ever deserved.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus gives us an invitation: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Self-acknowledgment and humility bring rest, and here we meet Jesus, our Forerunner, who is meek and humble of heart. (Matthew 11:29-30)

God values humility

Jesus calls those who mourn “blessed.” (Matthew 5:4) Those who mourn over their lack of love, their pride and so on, shall receive what they long for.

God saw little David while he was shepherding his father’s sheep. Even when he became king, we learn how he thought about himself: “And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor.” 2 Samuel 6:22.

This attitude of David was precious to God. “He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.” Acts 13:22.

This is my longing for the rest of my life – to walk in humility before God, to see more of my pride, acknowledge it and get an ever-deeper fellowship with Jesus. This life fills me with an ever-growing peace and joy!