Finding Freedom, Week Nine

To lead people into a new life of freedom in Jesus. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NIV) "I have the right to do anything," you say—but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"—but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (NIV) No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (NIV) Before your freedom will ever be EXPERIENCED, it will be SPOKEN. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21-22 (NIV) He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:21-22 (NIV) "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. Luke 6:43-45 (NIV) A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. Luke 6:43-45 (NIV) For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Luke 6:43-45 (NIV) To change what's coming out, you have to change what's going in. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things… Philippians 4:8  (NIV) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) Give up your right to say whatever comes to your mind. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. James 3:3-8 (NIV) Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. James 3:3-8 (NIV) Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:3-8 (NIV) All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:3-8 (NIV) Learn the language of Freedom. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13-17 (NIV) But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:13-17 (NIV) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:13-17 (NIV) Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-17 (NIV) "Peace follows purity, and depends upon it. Those who are truly wise do what they can to preserve peace, that it may not be broken; and to make peace, that where it is lost it may be restored. In kingdoms, in families, in churches, in all societies, and in all interviews and transactions, heavenly wisdom makes men peaceable." – Matthew Henry Become whole. "Not he who thinks well, or he who talks well, is in the sense of the scripture allowed to be wise, if he do not live and act well." – Matthew Henry So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service… Ephesians 4:11-15 (NIV) …so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-15 (NIV) Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:11-15 (NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:11-15 (NIV)