The Eomma Talks©

Today, I would like to share what it means to be free and what we are free from.

What is the meaning of freedom and what are we free from?

We are told that freedom is when a person is not constricted or incarcerated and they have the power or right to act, speak or even think as they want without constraints. Can you imagine speaking, acting or thinking as you wish without constraints with your colleagues in the office or even at home on a dinner table with only you and spouse.

If you take a look at Merriam Webster’s dictionary, freedom becomes even more challenging to attain as it is defined as being: ‘…the quality or state of being free, such as: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action. Liberation from slavery or from the power of another.’

It would seem that the above definitions invite lawlessness or in certain aspects, paint/present a dreamland. Clearly, society has set controls and rules which are enforced and in itself are seen as acceptable ways in which a person should act, speak or think, this requires constrains. To make matters worse, actions, words and thoughts are not original as people are a product of history, culture, media, music, books and religion of your time. Our choices also rely fully on what’s on offer.

These secular definitions are unobtainable. Surprisingly, even the Bible (both the Old and New Testament) does not promise us a life without constrain in our choice or action. In the simplest of words, the Bible tells us love one another; this requires constrains in both action, words and thoughts.

The definition of this word is a fallacy crafted to fan our ego and make us feel that we are in control of our destiny and require nothing else. When you give the definition deeper thought you will soon begin to see that being able to act, speak or think as you may does not grant the freedom you so desperately seek.

A bond was placed on mankind when Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the garden of Eden. Upon redeeming this bond man becomes free. The first step to freedom is in making the right choice. Choice is not about what colours, clothes or cars to buy. Wearing a white T shirt every day will not harm you but there is a heavy price for not knowing the difference between truth (good) and error (bad). The Bible limits our choice to only two: 1. Truth (good), 2. Error (bad). God is truth and error is the absence of truth. The gateway to freedom is truth. Choose truth, you choose God.

Freedom therefore is to be free from the law of sin which is rebellion against God and its judgement which is death. So, when we accept His truth, we would submit to His authority and have eternal life. By submitting to God’s authority, we would be mindful of how we love and treat others, this would require constraints.

Society crafted the narrative that ageing is avoidable even though the real evidence before us is that ageing is an inevitable natural process. Skin boosters have been hailed as the latest non-surgical hydrating cosmetic treatment that gives and maintains youthful looking skin. However, users of skin rejuvenating treatments know that the results do not last hence, users have to keep boosting to maintain that youthful look. Bearing in mind that there is only so much the skin can take, these treatments can be exhausting and expensive. For this reason, some may argue that the best treatment is to maintain a healthy lifestyle: eat good food, stay off drugs, be happy and as the Bible tells us: be anxious for nothing. Whose verdict do you believe?

Here in TET, I believe that a good foundation equals good structure so my discussions provide long lasting foundational answers from the Bible that address real life issues. Please subscribe to get notification for new posts.

I recall a film I watched years ago called ‘Rules of engagement.’ This was a war and legal film. A commanding officer orders the killing of demonstrators who attacked his marines. The basic lesson is that he relied on his own rules to order the killings in a war situation with resulting legal implications.

A rule is defined by the oxford dictionary as a ‘set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct or procedures within a particular area of activity. It is also the control of or dominion over an area or people. It is also the normal or customary state of things.’
Law is ‘the system of rules within a particular country or community recognised as regulating the actions of it’s members & which it may enforce by imposition of penalties for example a rule defining correct procedure or behaviour in a sport.’

There are rules: principles, terms & conditions, and laws in operation irrespective of whether you know these rules or not. These rules apply to business, religion, personal relationships, society and spiritual engagements. Both sides expect that each party play by the rules, as ignorance is not an excuse to break or breach it and a form of penalty is usually enforced.

As a person, you always operate within rules. Your choices in life are wholly based on the rules you have consciously or unconsciously set for yourself. They are principles that govern your conduct or procedures. It is your rules that cause you to react & respond: forgive, accept, respect, ignore or dismiss other third-party rules. It is your rules that determines your work ethic, how much ‘rest’ you take in a day, which social events you accept, it determines when you say ‘yes or no’ to people, and whether you forgive. In other words, your rules cause an emotional reaction. For example, anger is triggered because you do not accept or have not factored how to tolerate someone else’s rule or you believe they have breached your rule. It is your rules that determines how people interact with you and how you interact with others. For example, I used to place hangers in my wardrobe all facing the same direction, I was unaware of this. Whenever friends wanted to borrow clothes, they would either refuse to go into the wardrobe or end up hanging the clothes in the wrong position, which would result in a telling off from me. I realised this rule of mine – hanging clothes facing the same direction – only when my friends eventually told me as I questioned why they all refused to go into my wardrobe. This unconscious rule affected my interactions unknowingly. To preserve my relationships, I allowed my friends to hang my clothes back anyway they thought without telling them off and I adjusted the hangers in my own time without any feeling of animosity. In effect I readjusted my rules. Your growth, peace and happiness are totally hinged on your rules more than that of others. It is important therefore that you comprehend your rules and master them so you categorise the right experiences and store right memories.

Sadly, we are not taught to search out our rules rather we are taught to place importance on learning new skills, setting up goals and action plans as a way for self-improvement. For most the search for self-improvement is always hinged on financial success or wanting to become like someone we admire and a large majority of people struggle with this frustrating intricate approach. This is because acquiring of new skills for financial growth has been wrongly synonymised as ‘self-improvement. To have self -improved, one would have to gain a holistic, well rounded and all-inclusive understanding of who they are. Anyone who has a full understanding or holds a holistic view of who they are as a person would know their rules and most would be successful as a result. In short, the best way to develop is to look at your rules.

What are your rules: your governing principles? Do you know why you set them and the reason they are so important and meaningful to you? Are your rules arbitrary? Do you value the outcomes these rules have given you in terms of growth both in business and your personal relationships?

God has principles, rules and laws. He operates along his rules and the Bible is full of illustrations. He penalised communities or anyone who breached His covenant or law. Moses suffered a penalty for breaking a rule. God also knows when to forgive applicably. If God and the society operates rules, what makes you believe you can live life without ‘knowing’ and operating rules. I say ‘know your rules’ because you already have them, but most people don’t even recognise their rules thus they randomly breach or break their own rules. If you do not know, respect or enforce your own rules why should others do so. The consequences of breaking your own rules anyhow and anytime you wish are the reasons for the ‘hit-or-miss’ happenings in your life.

Know the rules that govern your conduct and why you value them, teach people not to break them and you can assign appropriate penalties and forgive applicably. When your rules produce poor outcomes, you are allowed to adjust or amend them although this should not be random or done too frequently. Adjustment is a factor of life and people can do so, even countries and communities amend laws or legislations. The only laws that are set in stone are God’s spiritual laws which sustain creation.

The self-improvement you need is to master your rules and play by them. Balance the spiritual, moral & societal laws, ignorance is not an excuse and as a result you should have a more stable and successful life.

Thank you and I love you with the love of God.