Last week I was listening to a Bible study on the freedom that God has given us and how earthly powers have, and will, infringe on personal freedom. The presenter proposed 4 Biblical principles on personal freedom that we can use to evaluate if the government is over-stepping on liberty.
I did not know much on this subject beforehand, but it became clear to me that it is an important matter that all Christians should study. Prophesy has foretold that there will come a time when our personal freedom will be taken away. On one hand, we are called to submit to our authorities—and on the other hand, we are to be faithful to God, even unto death. How do we know where to draw the line? How can we identify when the government is infringing on our personal freedom and when, as Daniel, we are called to be faithful? I felt impressed to share these four Biblical principles on personal freedom to help us identify when to submit to authority and when to stand firm on our God-given freedom.
Who Gives Personal Freedom?
We were created as free beings. The Lord of heaven is a God of freedom. He gave us the gift of freedom. This is why we can choose to follow Him or deny Him, choose to obey His Law or disobey it, choose to live for Him or for ourselves. Free will is at the core of God’s governance and no earthly power can take it away.
Most governments throughout world history did not believe in personal freedom. The US was set apart in that it was established for the very purpose to protect and uphold freedom. This is an anomaly in history.
Personal freedom matters to God. We always have a right to exercise it no matter what country we are in or the who is in power. However, there may be a price to pay. Daniel stood up for his freedom of prayer and was thrown into the lion’s den (see Daniel 6). Daniel’s friends denied authorities when they exercised their freedom to not bow down to an image and they were thrown into the fire. The apostles continued the work of God while authorities repeatedly pressed them to stop. They all faced persecution, torture, and death. There will come a time when we will also have to exercise the freedom God has given us to be faithful to Him.
Submit to Authority
The tricky part is that the Bible also teaches us to submit to our earthly authorities. Jesus instructed that we “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). The principle behind this statement is that we are to comply with government rules and obligations, even when they may not seem fair, as long as we can continue to render what belongs to God as well.
The apostle Paul also repeatedly mentioned in his letters that we are to submit to our authorities (Romans 13: 1, Hebrews 13:17, Titus 3:1, 1 Peter 2:13-14). Yet, when the apostles were ordered to not teach in the name of Jesus, they did not stop but answered “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
We are to called to be good citizens and to live at peace with everyone as long as it does not conflict with God’s law and His revealed will. Because the principles of heaven will always be in conflict with those on earth, a faithful Christian must learn to recognize when the government is overstepping and stand firm through the trial.
4 Biblical Principles on Personal Freedom
I invite you to study these four Biblical principles to purpose in your heart to be faithful to God and exercise your freedom when you are called to do so at any cost. Please keep in mind that these are principles, not specific rules, and each one should apply them to their own circumstance at any given time.
1. The government cannot dictate what you put into your body or on your body.
We have a Creator and our bodies are His. From creation and throughout history, God has instructed His people on what to put in it or on it, and from what to abstain. It is for God alone to define what goes in or on your body.
Some examples of things that go in your body are food, drinks, medications, drugs, or injections. Some examples of what goes on your body could be a head covering, a piercing, a tattoo, clothes, or even a specific haircut.
In Genesis, God gave strict instructions on what humans and animals were to eat (Genesis 1:29). After sin, God adjusted these orders, and again after the flood (Genesis 3:18 and 9:3-5). He gave heavenly food to the Israelites (manna) and gave statutes in regard to what to abstain from. He instructed Samson’s mother to abstain from wine and unclean foods, and to not cut Samson’s hair (Judges 13:4,5). He gave John the Baptist a special diet and clothing to help him prepare the way for Jesus (Luke 1:15 and Matthew 3:4).
Daniel and his friends understood this principle and they refused to eat the king’s food and drink and purposed in their hearts to be faithful to God (Daniel 1).
2. The government cannot interfere in matters of conscience.
We are called to have a good conscience and act on our God-given conscience. This is between you and God. No government should step in and force you to go against your conscience. In God’s grace each of us has a different amount of heavenly light for which we are accountable. We cannot expect all Christians to make the same decisions, nor should we judge when some make different choices based on the light or instruction God has given them. However, to not be deceived, we should each seek God with all our heart and be sanctified in Christ.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:15-17
3. The government cannot interfere with the work of God.
Jesus gave us these instructions:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mathew 28:19-20).
We have a work to do and we should be faithful to complete the work no matter what restrictions or obstacles a government may place on us. Churches should be encouraged to continue the work of God even if it’s against the law.
4. The government cannot interfere with the worship of God.
It is not for the government to define how, where, or when to worship God. The Bible is filled with encouragement to unite in worship:
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!” 1 Chronicles 16:8-9
We are also instructed to gather as believers especially as the end nears:
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
A Call to Be Faithful
Daniel and his friends stood firm on their faith and exercised their freedom rather than obey the authorities of their time. Through their tests of health (Daniel 1), worship (Daniel 3), and prayer (Daniel 6), God protected them. However, even if God had not rescued them from death, they were still determined to be faithful.
I do not believe that it is a coincidence that in the prophetic book of Daniel, before we are told of the final event prophesies, we find these three accounts. We are presented with an illustration of the tests that God’s people will have to face in the end times.
May God help us all draw near to Him to not be deceived and stand firm on our faith when we are called to do so.
Read our story to see how my husband and I exercised medical freedom by treating our son’s health condition naturally and the consequences we faced for doing so.
6 replies on “4 Biblical Principles on Personal Freedom”
I love your comments but you left out the most important thing and that is God has a personal name….Jehovah
King James Bible Psalm 83:18
Thank you for your comment! My focus was on major Bible principles for each to apply to their own lives and beliefs asking God to guide them. I do not see how God’s name would be a principle for personal freedom. Where do you see a connection? I also don’t find the Bible instructing us to call God only by a certain name. Jesus himself called him Father (John 17:5) and Jesus also said God is our Father (Mathew 23:9). David called Him God and Lord. The apostles also referred to him as God, Father, and Lord (1 Corinthians 8:6, Ephesians 1:3, James 1:17…).
Relato maravilhoso do poder de Deus, e de como devemos ser fiéis a Ele. Obrigada por compartilhar sua história 🙏
All glory to God!
Was looking for something to positioning this business I am starting and I needed clarity on freewill. And this gave me more than I was expecting. Allow God to continue to bless you abundantly and be covered by his grace and mercy. I AM
Amen!
Gospel Med Missionary often finds its roots very near to our own loved ones. Beautiful story. I love this work. God’s rich blessings upon you and your family.