Fourth of July celebrations generally leave us thinking deeper about the concept of “freedom.” In America, true freedom means being able to believe what we wish, among other rights guaranteed to us in the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. But the Bible’s definition, which focuses on freedom in Christ, is more specific and applies to all of humanity, as shown through countless verses about freedom.
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As we can see from the following Bible verses, scripture's definition of freedom is freedom in Christ. God gives us free will to continually and willfully choose Him, follow His guidance, ask for His assistance and lean into His mercies daily. Despite what many think, scripture celebrates freedom, not dimish it.
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Now, let’s explore Bible verses about freedom and how we are supposed to interpret the true meaning of freedom in Christ. (Hint: we gave you 13 in honor of the first colonies!)
2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) - Find it in Christ
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
This Bible verse about freedom explains that true freedom comes from God. Having God’s spirit is what ushers in this spiritual phenomenon — a gift that is available to all mankind. With our free will, God gives us the freedom to continually choose Him daily. And with His mercy, we are free from, and never slaves of, sin. This is just one of the powerful verses about freedom that’s worth periodically reflecting on.
Galatians 5:1 (NIV) - Freedom in Christ
“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.”
Some assume that the Christian life is one filled with restrictions, yet the reality is that following Christ actually ushers in true freedom. As Bible verses about freedom show, a life outside of God’s will might feel free, but scripture tells us that reality is quite the opposite. Those who don't have the Spirit of God are tied down to the riches of the world and do not know the graces and gifts that our God gives each of us. Freedom in Christ is the most powerful thing one can have, because with it, we have the promise of eternal life.
Isaiah 61:1 (NIV) - Release From Darkness
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
This is one of the verses about faith that reminds us how God’s love ushers in true freedom. In a world that’s filled with so much pain, God calls His followers to “proclaim good news” to the poor and those in need, and to spread the gospel to each and every person so that they, too, have the chance to hear about the freedom God supplies. As His followers, we are meant to share the freedom we know because of God with our friends, family, and all those we encounter daily.
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God's Not Dead: We the People
Psalm 118:5 (NIV) - Crying Out to God
“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.”
As Bible verses about freedom show, the first step to true freedom is honest prayer and devotion. God gave us free will to choose to ask Him for help. True freedom comes when we know that whatever we are going through, we are not meant to go through it alone - God is with us. When life feels painful — when we are struggling with our bad decisions — we can come back to Jesus, reorient ourselves with God’s will and live in peace and freedom in Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (NIV) - Right vs. Wrong
“‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but I will not be mastered by anything.”
Self-control is an important piece of the “freedom” puzzle. This Bible verse about freedom makes it clear that we have the “right to do anything,” but that not everything we choose to do is beneficial.
Rather than being mastered and overtaken by sin, we should follow God’s commands and His plan for our lives. Then — and only then — can true freedom in Christ be attained.
READ ALSO: What Does the Declaration of Independence Say About God?
1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV) - Not Everything Is Beneficial
“‘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.”
Much like in 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NIV), we are reminded in this freedom Bible verse that “not everything is constructive,” meaning that not everything we will choose to do will always be to our benefit. Despite our right to make a choice about what we do and how we do it, unless we involve God in our decisions, it will not benefit us. Freedom in Christ is the goal, and it simply requires following verses about faith and freedom and asking Him to guide us.
Psalm 119:45 (NIV) - Bible Verses About Hope
“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.”
This verse is yet another reminder that finding freedom in Christ starts with seeking and living out God’s plan for our lives. This celebration of freedom scripture tells us that we are not slave to sin and the riches of the world, but rather that we are free because we seek the Lord.
There are so many ways that we can put God first in our lives, and Bible verses about freedom continually remind us of that. We only walk in pure, unadulterated freedom when we seek out God’s will.
Acts 13:38-39 (NIV) - Forgiveness Makes Us Free
“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”
Everyone struggles with sin of some sort, but freedom can be found in Christ. Jesus forgave our sins and, through the Holy Spirit, we can have the power to resist any sin or temptation.
This Bible verse about freedom also speaks to the essentiality of Christ coming and dying to save the sins of humanity, and to usher in true freedom.
READ ALSO: 10 Ways to Put God First in the Modern World
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Galatians 5:13-14 (NIV) - Loving Your Neighbor
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
The Bible reminds us all that we are called to be free, but that we shouldn’t embrace worldly freedom — the unrestrained engagement in any and all whims. Instead, we are encouraged to use our freedom to find ways to love others and lead them to Christ. This is a powerful freedom Bible verse that reminds us to commit our lives to the Lord.
Romans 8:1-2 (NIV) - Free From Death
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
Jesus sets us free from “the law of sin and death.” Finding true freedom in Christ today matters, as eternity depends on it. By following God and His commands, you can never go wrong. Bible verses about freedom make this clear again and again.
1 Peter 2:16 (NIV) - Freely Choose to be Obedient
"Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves."
Our freedom has been granted to us by God. But it's important to remember to be obedient to His word and keep His commandments while still exercising our free will. God does not want us to use our freedom as an excuse to do evil, but so that we can make the free choice to follow His word.
Luke 4:18 - No Longer "Prisoners" to Our Sins
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free." - Luke 4:18 (NIV)
Without Christ's sacrifice and dying for our sins, we would all still be slaves to our sins.
There would be no mercy or grace for us to be forgiven or free from our past sins, but rather become "prisoners" to these sins. Christ's death set us free from being chained to our sins, so that we can freely choose to live for Him and have a second chance at redemption.
Galatians 5:16 - Live by the Spirit, Not the Flesh
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." - Galatians 5:16 (NIV)
True freedom means that we are able to not become attached to wordly things and "desires of the flesh," including materialistic possessions. True freedom means we are able to freely choose to "walk by the Spirit" and daily make that choice in our own personal lives. This freedom frees us from the binds of worldly temptations because we know there is more to life than the desires of this world. Thanks to Christ, we know that we have eternal life when we daily choose Him over this world.
That wraps our list of Bible verses about freedom. Are you looking for more ways to find freedom in Christ, and for more verses about faith? Consider checking out these tips for putting God first in the modern world. And if you’re looking to fill your heart and mind with positive content aimed at inspiring, consider taking advantage of your free Pure Flix trial.
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