Let Jehovah Lead You to True Freedom

“[Peer] into the perfect law that belongs to freedom.”​—JAS. 1:25.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN?

What law leads to true freedom, and who benefit from that law?

What is the secret to gaining true freedom?

What freedom awaits all who stay on the path to life?

1, 2. (a) What is happening to the world’s freedoms, and why? (b) What freedom lies ahead for Jehovah’s servants?

WE ARE living in a time of increasing greed, lawlessness, and violence. (2 Tim. 3:1-5) In response, governments make more laws, strengthen police forces, and install electronic surveillance. In some countries, private citizens try to increase their safety by installing alarm systems in their homes, as well as extra locks and even electric fences. Many refuse to go out at night or to let their children play outside unattended​—day or night. Clearly, freedom is on the wane, and the trend will likely continue.

² Back in the garden of Eden, Satan asserted that the key to true freedom is independence from Jehovah. What a malicious and monstrous lie that has proved to be! Indeed, the more that people disregard the moral and spiritual boundaries established by God, the more society as a whole suffers. This worsening condition also affects us as Jehovah’s servants. Nevertheless, we have the hope of seeing an end to mankind’s enslavement to sin and corruption and of enjoying what the Bible calls “the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:21) In fact, Jehovah has already begun preparing his servants for that freedom. In what way?

3. Jehovah has given Christ’s followers what law, and what questions will we consider?

³ The answer lies in what the Bible writer James called “the perfect law that belongs to freedom.” (Read James 1:25.) Other Bible versions render this phrase “the law that makes us free” (The New English Bible) and “the perfect law of freedom” (The New American Bible). Normally, of course, people associate law with restrictions, not with freedom. What, then, is “the perfect law that belongs to freedom”? And how does that law make us free?

THE LAW THAT SETS FREE

4. What is “the perfect law that belongs to freedom,” and who benefit from it?

⁴ “The perfect law that belongs to freedom” is not the Mosaic Law, for that code made transgressions manifest and was fulfilled in Christ. (Matt. 5:17; Gal. 3:19) To what law, then, was James referring? He had in mind “the law of the Christ,” also called “the law of faith” and “the law of a free people.” (Gal. 6:2; Rom. 3:27; Jas. 2:12) “The perfect law,” therefore, encompasses everything that Jehovah requires of us. Both anointed Christians and the “other sheep” benefit from it.​—John 10:16.

5. Why is the law of freedom not burdensome?

⁵ Unlike the law codes of many countries, “the perfect law” is neither complex nor burdensome but consists of simple commandments and basic principles. (1 John 5:3) “My yoke is kindly and my load is light,” said Jesus. (Matt. 11:29, 30) Additionally, “the perfect law” has no need for a long list of sanctions, or penalties, for it is founded on love and is engraved on minds and hearts, not on tablets of stone.​—Read Hebrews 8:6, 10.

HOW “THE PERFECT LAW” SETS US FREE

6, 7. What can be said about Jehovah’s standards, and why is the law of freedom liberating?

⁶ The boundaries that Jehovah has set for his intelligent creatures are for their benefit and protection. Take, for example, the physical laws that govern energy and matter. People do not complain of being oppressed by those laws. Rather, they appreciate them, recognizing that natural laws are essential for their welfare. Likewise, Jehovah’s moral and spiritual standards, reflected in “the perfect law” of the Christ, are for man’s benefit.

⁷ In addition to being a protection, the law of freedom allows us to satisfy all our proper desires without harming ourselves or encroaching on the rights and freedoms of others. The secret, then, to being truly free​—being able to do what we desire—​is to cultivate the right desires, those that harmonize with Jehovah’s personality and standards. In other words, we have to learn to love what Jehovah loves and to hate what he hates, which the law of freedom helps us to do.​—Amos 5:15.

8, 9. What benefits come to those who adhere to the law of freedom? Illustrate.

⁸ In our imperfect state, we struggle to subdue wrong desires. Nevertheless, as we loyally adhere to the law of freedom, we taste its liberating powers even now. To illustrate: A new Bible student named Jay was addicted to tobacco. When he learned that his habit displeased God, he had to make a decision. Would he continue to submit to his flesh or would he subject himself to Jehovah? Wisely, he chose to serve God, even though his flesh ached for nicotine. How did he feel after overcoming his habit? “I felt wonderfully free and overjoyed,” he later said.

⁹ Jay learned by experience that the world’s freedoms, which allow people to ‘mind the flesh,’ actually enslave, whereas Jehovah’s freedoms, which mean “the minding of the spirit,” set free and lead to “life and peace.” (Rom. 8:5, 6) Where did Jay find the strength to overcome his enslaving habit? Not within himself; it came from God. “I regularly studied the Bible, prayed for holy spirit, and sought the loving help willingly extended to me by the Christian congregation,” he said. These same provisions can help us all in our quest for true freedom. Let us see how.

PEER INTO GOD’S WORD

10. What does it mean to “peer” into God’s law?

¹⁰ James 1:25 reads, in part: “He who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and who persists in it . . . will be happy in his doing it.” The original Greek word translated “peers” means “to stoop to look into,” which implies concentrated effort. Yes, if we want the law of freedom to affect our mind and heart, we must do our part by diligently studying the Bible and prayerfully meditating on what we read.​—1 Tim. 4:15.

11, 12. (a) How did Jesus stress the need to make the truth our way of life? (b) As illustrated above, what danger must young ones in particular avoid?

¹¹ At the same time, we must ‘persist,’ or endure, in applying God’s Word, thus making the truth our way of life. Jesus expressed a similar thought when he said to some who believed in him: “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31, 32) To “know,” says one reference, here means also to have appreciation because “what is ‘known’ is of value or importance to the one who knows.” Thus, we “know” the truth in the fullest sense when we make it our way of life. Then we can rightly say that “the word of God” is “at work” in us, molding our personality so that we more closely reflect our heavenly Father.​—1 Thess. 2:13.

¹² Ask yourself, ‘Do I really know the truth? Have I made it my way of life? Or do I still crave some of the “freedoms” of the world?’ Looking back on her youth, a sister who was raised by Christian parents wrote: “When you grow up in the truth, Jehovah is always there, as it were. But in my case, I never really got to know him. I never learned to hate what he hates. I never believed that what I did mattered to him. And I never learned to go to him when I was in trouble. I leaned on my own understanding, which I now know was ridiculous because I knew nothing.” Happily, the sister later realized that her thinking was very wrong, and she made some major changes. She even began to serve as a regular pioneer.

HOLY SPIRIT CAN HELP SET YOU FREE

13. How does God’s holy spirit help to set us free?

¹³ At 2 Corinthians 3:17, we read: “Where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom.” How does holy spirit contribute to our freedom? Among other things, it produces within us qualities that are essential to freedom​—“love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.” (Gal. 5:22, 23) Without those qualities, especially love, no society can be truly free​—a fact that is obvious in the world today. Interestingly, after listing the spirit’s fruitage, the apostle Paul added: “Against such things there is no law.” What did he mean? The fruitage of God’s spirit is not restricted by any law that can limit its growth. (Gal. 5:18) After all, what would be the point of such a law? It is Jehovah’s will that we cultivate Christlike qualities forever and display them without restriction.

14. In what ways does the world’s spirit enslave those who submit to it?

¹⁴ Those who are enthralled by the world’s spirit and who indulge their fleshly desires may think they are free. (Read 2 Peter 2:18, 19.) The reality, however, is quite the opposite. Mountains of rules and regulations are necessary to curb their hurtful appetites and behavior. “Law is promulgated, not for a righteous man, but for persons lawless and unruly,” says Paul. (1 Tim. 1:9, 10) They also are slaves of sin, driven to do “the things willed by the flesh,” which is a cruel master. (Eph. 2:1-3) In a way, such individuals are like insects that crawl right into a bowl of honey. Driven by their appetite, they soon find themselves entrapped.​—Jas. 1:14, 15.

SET FREE WITHIN THE CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION

15, 16. How important is our association with the congregation, and what freedom do we enjoy?

¹⁵ When you began associating with the Christian congregation, you did not join some sort of social club. Rather, you came into the congregation because Jehovah drew you. (John 6:44) What moved him to do so? Did he see a righteous, God-fearing person? “Not at all!” you may say. What, then, did God see? He saw a heart that would be receptive to his liberating law, a heart that would submit to his kind influence. Within the congregation, Jehovah has nurtured your heart by feeding you spiritually, setting you free from religious falsehoods and superstitions, and by teaching you how to develop the Christlike personality. (Read Ephesians 4:22-24.) As a result, you have the privilege of being among the only people in the world who can rightly be called “a free people.”​—Jas. 2:12.

¹⁶ Consider this: When you are in the company of those who love Jehovah with all their heart, do you feel afraid? Do you find yourself constantly glancing over your shoulder? While engaging in conversation at the Kingdom Hall, do you keep a firm grip on your belongings lest they disappear? On the contrary! You feel at ease and free. Would you feel that way at a secular event? Not likely! What is more, the freedom that you enjoy now among God’s people is just a foretaste of the freedom that lies ahead.

“THE GLORIOUS FREEDOM OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD”

17. How is mankind’s freedom related to “the revealing of the sons of God”?

¹⁷ When discussing the freedom that Jehovah has in store for his earthly servants, Paul wrote: “The eager expectation of the creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God.” Then he added: “The creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:19-21) “The creation” refers to mankind with the earthly hope, those who will benefit from “the revealing” of God’s spirit-anointed sons. That revealing will begin when these “sons,” resurrected to the spirit realm, share with Christ in cleansing the earth of evil and preserving “a great crowd” into the new system of things.​—Rev. 7:9, 14.

18. How will freedom increase for obedient mankind, and what freedom will they finally enjoy?

¹⁸ Redeemed mankind will then experience a completely new freedom​—freedom from the influence of Satan and the demons. (Rev. 20:1-3) What a relief that will be! Thereafter, Christ’s 144,000 fellow kings and priests will continue to liberate mankind by progressively applying the benefits of the ransom sacrifice until Adamic sin and imperfection have been fully erased. (Rev. 5:9, 10) Having proved faithful even under test, humans will have attained the very perfection of freedom that Jehovah has purposed for them​—“the glorious freedom of the children of God.” Think! No longer will you struggle to do what is right in God’s eyes, for your entire organism will have been perfected and your personality will have been fully transformed according to God’s image.

19. Today, what must we continue to do in order to remain on the path to true freedom?

¹⁹ Do you long for “the glorious freedom of the children of God”? If so, let your mind and heart continue to be influenced by “the perfect law that belongs to freedom.” Yes, diligently study the Scriptures. Live the truth, making it your own. Pray for holy spirit. Take full advantage of the Christian congregation and the spiritual food Jehovah provides. Do not let Satan deceive you, as he deceived Eve, into thinking that God’s ways are unduly restrictive. To be sure, the Devil can be very clever. But as we shall see in the following article, we need not be “overreached by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his designs.”​—2 Cor. 2:11.

Serve the God of Freedom

“This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.”​—1 JOHN 5:3.

CAN YOU ANSWER?

How does Satan try to make God’s laws appear burdensome?

Why must we be extremely careful about our associates?

What will help us to remain loyal to the God of freedom?

1. How does Jehovah view freedom, and how did he show that in his dealings with Adam and Eve?

JEHOVAH is the only Person with absolute freedom. Yet, he never misuses it; nor does he monopolize freedom by micromanaging his servants. Instead, he has given them free will, which allows them to use initiative and satisfy all their proper desires. For example, God gave Adam and Eve only one restrictive command​—the prohibition against eating from “the tree of the knowledge of good and bad.” (Gen. 2:17) What an amazing degree of freedom they had in carrying out their Creator’s will!

2. Why did our original parents lose their God-given freedom?

² Why did God grant our original parents so much freedom? He formed them in his image and gave them a conscience, rightly expecting that their love for him as their Creator would guide them in the right way. (Gen. 1:27; Rom. 2:15) Sadly, Adam and Eve failed to appreciate their wonderful Life-Giver and the freedom that he had given them. Instead, they chose the illegitimate freedom offered by Satan, which was moral independence. But instead of finding more freedom, our original parents sold themselves and their future offspring into bondage to sin, with disastrous consequences.​—Rom. 5:12.

3, 4. How does Satan try to deceive us with regard to Jehovah’s standards?

³ If Satan could induce two perfect humans​—not to mention a number of spirit creatures—​to reject God’s sovereignty, he could deceive us too. His strategy remains much the same. He tries to mislead us into thinking that God’s standards are burdensome and rob us of fun and excitement. (1 John 5:3) That thinking can exert a lot of power if we are repeatedly exposed to it. “Bad association greatly influenced me, especially because I was afraid of having a different opinion from my peers,” said a 24-year-old sister who had engaged in sexual immorality. Perhaps you have experienced similar peer pressure.

⁴ Sadly, on occasion negative peer influence can also come from within the Christian congregation. “I have known some young ones who dated nonbelievers,” said a Witness youth. “Eventually, though, it struck me that the more I hung around with them, the more I was becoming like them. My spirituality began to suffer. I was not enjoying the spiritual food at the meetings, and I barely went out in service. This was my signal to cut off those associates, and I did!” Are you aware of the power that your associates can have on you? Consider a timely Bible example.​—Rom. 15:4.

HE STOLE THEIR HEARTS

5, 6. How did Absalom mislead others, and did his scheme succeed?

⁵ The Bible contains many examples of those who were a bad influence on others. One such example is Absalom, a son of King David. Absalom was an exceptionally good-looking man. In time, however, like Satan, he let greedy ambition fill his heart, for he began to covet his father’s throne, to which he was not entitled.a In a sly attempt to seize the kingship, Absalom feigned deep concern for his fellow Israelites while cleverly insinuating that the king’s court lacked regard for them. Yes, just like the Devil in the garden of Eden, Absalom presented himself as a benefactor, at the same time cruelly maligning his own father.​—2 Sam. 15:1-5.

⁶ Did Absalom’s clever scheme succeed? To some extent, yes, for the Bible account states: “Absalom kept stealing the hearts of the men of Israel.” (2 Sam. 15:6) In the end, though, Absalom’s arrogance led to his own downfall. And tragically, it also led to his death and the death of the thousands who were overreached by him.​—2 Sam. 18:7, 14-17.

7. What lessons can we learn from the account about Absalom? (See picture on page 14.)

⁷ Why were those Israelites so easily deceived? Perhaps they desired the things Absalom promised them. Or maybe they were swayed by his physical appearance. Whatever the case, we can be sure of this: They lacked loyalty to Jehovah and his appointed king. Today, Satan continues to use “Absaloms” in his attempt to steal the hearts of Jehovah’s servants. ‘Jehovah’s standards are too restrictive,’ they may say. ‘And look at all those people who do not serve Jehovah. They have all the fun!’ Will you see through such contemptible lies and remain loyal to God? Will you recognize that only Jehovah’s “perfect law,” the law of the Christ, can lead you to true freedom? (Jas. 1:25) If so, cherish that law, and never be tempted to misuse your Christian freedom.​—Read 1 Peter 2:16.

8. What real-life examples illustrate that happiness does not result from disregarding Jehovah’s standards?

⁸ Young people in particular are a target of Satan. A brother who is now in his 30’s said about his teen years: “I viewed Jehovah’s moral standards as a restriction, not as a protection.” As a result, he committed sexual immorality. But this brought him no happiness. “Deep feelings of guilt and remorse surfaced for many years,” he said. Reflecting on her teen years, a sister wrote: “After committing immorality, you feel cold and empty. Even now after 19 years, bad memories come back.” Another sister stated: “The thought that my conduct crushed the people I love so much had a mentally, spiritually, and emotionally devastating effect on me. It is terrible to live without Jehovah’s favor.” Satan does not want you to think about such consequences of sin.

9. (a) What questions can help us to analyze our view of Jehovah and his laws and principles? (b) Why is it important to know God well?

⁹ How sad that many young ones in the truth​—and even a number of older ones—​have had to learn the hard way that sinful pleasures often come at great cost! (Gal. 6:7, 8) So ask yourself: ‘Do I recognize Satan’s schemes for what they really are​—cruel deceptions? Do I view Jehovah as my closest Friend, the one who always tells the truth and wants what is best for me? Am I fully convinced that he would never withhold from me something that is truly good and will result in my greatest happiness?’ (Read Isaiah 48:17, 18.) In order to say a heartfelt yes, you need to have more than a superficial knowledge of Jehovah. You need to know him intimately and recognize that Bible laws and principles reflect his love for you, not a desire to hem you in.​—Ps. 25:14.

PRAY FOR A WISE AND OBEDIENT HEART

10. Why should we strive to imitate young King Solomon?

¹⁰ When he was still a young man, Solomon humbly said in prayer: “I am but a little boy. I do not know how to go out and how to come in.” He then prayed for a wise and obedient heart. (1 Ki. 3:7-9, 12) Jehovah answered that sincere request, and he will do the same for you, whether you are young or old. Of course, Jehovah will not give you miraculous insight and wisdom. But he will make you wise if you earnestly study his Word, pray for holy spirit, and take full advantage of the spiritual provisions made available through the Christian congregation. (Jas. 1:5) Indeed, by these means, Jehovah makes even his young servants wiser than all those who ignore his counsel, even the so-called “wise and intellectual ones” of this world.​—Luke 10:21; read Psalm 119:98-100.

11-13. (a) What valuable lessons can we learn from Psalm 26:4, Proverbs 13:20, and 1 Corinthians 15:33? (b) How would you apply these Scriptural principles?

¹¹ To illustrate the value of studying the Bible and meditating on what we read so that we can come to know Jehovah intimately, consider the following scriptures. Each one contains an important principle regarding our choice of associates: “I have not sat with men of untruth; and with those who hide what they are I do not come in.” (Ps. 26:4) “He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.” (Prov. 13:20) “Bad associations spoil useful habits.”​—1 Cor. 15:33.

¹² What valuable lessons can we learn from those texts? (1) Jehovah wants us to be selective about our associates. He wants to protect us morally and spiritually. (2) We are influenced for good or for bad by the people with whom we associate; that is simply a fact of life. The way the verses above are worded shows that Jehovah is appealing to our heart. How so? Notice that none of the verses are set out as rules, such as “you must not . . .” Rather, they are written as plain statements of truth. In effect, Jehovah is saying to us: ‘Here are the facts. How will you respond? What is in your heart?’

¹³ Finally, because the three verses are set out as basic truths, they are timeless and have a very broad application. To illustrate, ask yourself such questions as: How can I avoid associating with individuals “who hide what they are”? In what situations might I come in contact with such ones? (Prov. 3:32; 6:12) Who are the “wise persons” with whom Jehovah wants me to associate? Who are the “stupid ones” he wants me to avoid? (Ps. 111:10; 112:1; Prov. 1:7) What “useful habits” will I ruin by choosing bad associates? Will I encounter bad associates only in the world? (2 Pet. 2:1-3) How would you answer these questions?

14. How can you enrich your Family Worship evening?

¹⁴ Having thus reasoned on the Scriptures, why not examine other Bible texts that reveal God’s thinking on matters that concern you or your family?b Parents, consider discussing such topics during your Family Worship evening. As you do, keep in mind that your goal is to help each family member to appreciate more fully the depth of God’s love for us as revealed in his laws and principles. (Ps. 119:72) Indeed, such study should draw all in the family closer to Jehovah and to one another.

15. How can you discern if you are developing a wise and obedient heart?

¹⁵ How can you tell if you are developing a wise and obedient heart? One way is to compare your thinking with that of the faithful ones of old, such as King David, who wrote: “To do your will, O my God, I have delighted, and your law is within my inward parts.” (Ps. 40:8) Likewise, the writer of Psalm 119 said: “How I do love your law! All day long it is my concern.” (Ps. 119:97) Such love does not grow in shallow soil. Rather, it is a result of deep study, prayer, meditation, and experience​—seeing in one’s own life the countless blessings that result from adhering to God’s standards.​—Ps. 34:8.

FIGHT FOR YOUR CHRISTIAN FREEDOM!

16. What must we realize if we are going to win our fight for true freedom?

¹⁶ Throughout history, nations have waged brutal wars in the name of freedom. How much more, then, should you be willing to fight spiritually for your Christian freedom! Realize that your enemies are not just Satan, the world, and its poisonous spirit. You also have to contend with your own imperfections, including a treacherous heart. (Jer. 17:9; Eph. 2:3) Yet, with Jehovah’s help, you can win the fight. What is more, each victory​—large or small—​will have at least two positive effects. First, you will make Jehovah’s heart rejoice. (Prov. 27:11) Second, as you taste the liberating power of God’s “perfect law that belongs to freedom,” you will become even more determined to remain on the ‘narrow road’ to everlasting life. In time, you will enjoy the more expansive freedom that lies ahead for Jehovah’s loyal ones.​—Jas. 1:25; Matt. 7:13, 14.

17. Why should we not get downhearted about our imperfections, and what help does Jehovah provide?

¹⁷ At times, of course, we all make mistakes. (Eccl. 7:20) When that occurs, do not feel worthless or overly discouraged. If you stumble, so to speak, get up and move forward​—even if that means asking the local elders for help. Their “prayer of faith,” wrote James, “will make the indisposed one well, and Jehovah will raise him up. Also, if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.” (Jas. 5:15) Yes, never forget that God is truly merciful and that he drew you into the congregation because he saw your potential. (Read Psalm 103:8, 9.) So as long as you maintain a complete heart toward Jehovah, he will never give up on you.​—1 Chron. 28:9.

18. How can we act in harmony with Jesus’ prayer recorded at John 17:15?

¹⁸ While praying on his last night with his 11 faithful apostles, Jesus said these unforgettable words in their behalf: “Watch over them because of the wicked one.” (John 17:15) Jesus’ concern was not limited to his apostles, but it extends to all his followers. Hence, we can be sure that Jehovah will answer Jesus’ prayer by watching over us during these critical times. “For those walking in integrity [Jehovah] is a shield . . . He will guard the very way of his loyal ones.” (Prov. 2:7, 8) Yes, the way of integrity is not without its challenges, but it is the only way to everlasting life and true freedom. (Rom. 8:21) Let no one lure you from it!

[Footnotes]