*Made free to become servants*
> “For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another. Galatians 5:13 AMP”
Many believers assume that once they are born again, they should simply follow every good desire they have. But Paul teaches something deeper. The conflict is not only between good and evil. Sometimes it is between our own good intentions and the Holy Spirit’s leading.
There are many things we may sincerely want to do:
Help someone
Start a ministry
Speak our opinion
Visit a place
Accept an opportunity
Make a decision that appears wise
All of these may be good. Yet the Holy Spirit may say, “Not now.” Or, “Not this way.” Or even, “No.” Christian maturity is not measured by how many good things we do, but by how faithfully we obey the Spirit.
The flesh wants independence—even in doing good. It says, _”I know what is best.”_ The Spirit teaches dependence. He says, _”Wait for My direction.”_ A Spirit-filled believer has learned that every good idea is not necessarily God’s present will.
Consider some biblical examples:
Moses wanted to deliver Israel in his own timing, but God made him wait forty years. David desired to build God’s house, but God told him not to. Paul the Apostle wanted to preach in Asia, but the Holy Spirit forbade him and redirected him elsewhere.
They were not restrained from evil—they were restrained from acting apart from God’s direction. True freedom is therefore not the freedom to do whatever we wish. It is the freedom to say “yes” to the Holy Spirit and “no” even to ourselves.
We were not delivered from the slavery of sin so that we could become slaves of our own desires—even good ones. We were set free to become willing servants of Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin