The truth will set your free.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

Jesus “stated the truth will set you free.” In what ways can the truth set you free? Many are so confused now days. The lines between right and wrong have been skewed. The disease, suffering , starvation, corruption, crimes, violence and many other things are now happening on a scale that has never occurred before. Even though we will endure tribulation the truth sets us free in a way others who do not worship in truth experience. I am going to show why more then ever we need to worship in truth by showing the many benefits that God blesses us with when we worship in truth.

By knowing our bibles well and knowing what God requires and writing his word on our hearts we are free of the pressures society puts on others. Their opinions and ideas change almost daily and they can be unreasonable and often times you don’t know what to expect from someone one day to the next. There is a freedom that comes from knowing when to make your yes mean yes and your no mean no. As the lines between what is right and wrong get blurred which is happening at an alarming rate now days we do not have to be indecisive or confused what we ought to do if we have written God’s word on our hearts. This prevents us from being indecisive when it comes to things involving our worship or morality. Often times when you start opposing the devil he will attack you bad. But if you hold fast to your faith and love for God and Jesus he will eventually flee from you. This is also why the bible says we should not make promises and if we do we should make certain we keep them. There are so many unexpected things that can happen if we make a promise then cannot keep it we look like we are not dependable or we give empty promises. By applying bible counsel we prevent those situations.

Some have been severely injured , have been born with a disability, lost their hearing or eyesight. Those who worship in truth know there will be a new earth were righteous are to dwell and there will be no more lame, sickness or suffering. This gives them hope for the future because none of the promises God has made have ever went unfulfilled so we can be certain the future promises he has given will be fulfilled. Jesus healed many, so we need to have no doubt that in the new earth we can enjoy being fully healthy.

Many have the fear of Hell indoctrinated into them. That is not a biblical teaching the original word used Sheol meant grave or pit. The hell fire teaching came from false religion and they use the parable of Lazarus as validation of this claim but it is a parable and does not refer to an eternal suffering in a fiery hell. The original meaning of Hell was to conceal or cover over, which was not an accurate translation but still did not mean heat or torment. When Jesus spoke of Gehenna , it was used to justify the hellfire teaching. Gehenna was a pit outside the city that they burned refuse in. They would throw animal carcasses and bones in the pit. They kept a constant fire there to burn things to ashes. The bible tells us from dust we are to dust we return. It also tells us in the day we die our thoughts perish. If a person died and went to heaven or hell there would be no need for a resurrection because no one would be dead they would either be in heaven or hell. It seems to me Satan has deceived people into believing the original lie in the Garden of Eden when he told Adam and Eve they would not die. Still today people refuse to believe they die when life ends and believe that they go on living somewhere else. When we die it is like we are asleep to God and our life’s energy returns to God. During the resurrection there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and unrighteous. The unrighteous will be a resurrection of judgment. If the unrighteous were in hell then why would they need to be resurrected to be judged? This is why many no longer believe the bible because so many false teachings make the bible seem to contradict itself. God told Adam and Eve from dust you are to dust you will return. In Psalms it tells us when the spirit goes out and returns to God we return to the ground and our thoughts perish. If we lived on in heaven or hell wouldn’t we still have thoughts? If it was not for Jesus ransom sacrifice to redeem us there would be no hope for the dead. Jesus died a perfect human which blotted out the sin, he defeated death by remaining loyal and faithful to God even when facing persecution and death. We are also free from the fears that others have. If we have faith in God and Jesus we don’t even have to fear death because the bible tells us not even death can separate us from the love of Jesus and the love of God.

Many heavily rely on things like fortune telling, numerology and astrology. Those are things God would not approve of. Getting involved in those things is a type of false worship because you are putting your faith in something other then God. God requires exclusive devotion. Israel had gotten caught up in this when they worshiped the god of luck and the god of destiny and God showed Israel his disapproval. Some consult spirit mediums. There is only one true God. There is no one wiser , more trust worthy and more loving then him. When you put your faith in Jehovah God and Jesus , because they do not change and Jehovah is the source of life even if we die , we could live again. There is no one more powerful then God is, his power is limitless and he cannot die like humans can. By putting our faith in the one true God we are free from many of the fears that others have because they do not have such a wise and powerful and merciful God. The bible said we would experience tribulation so we may as well experience at as a righteous person so we have the future hope. Not only that but if we are practicing it as a righteous person often times even extremely difficult things God will get those who love him and are faithful through it. Often times those who do not have faith in God get emotionally destroyed by difficult times and they also lack the hope in the future promises that comes with having faith in God and fully trusting him.

It can free us from the influence of demons, lies especially those involved in false religion. It frees us from the sins committed from being deceived and not worshiping in truth. If you have ever noticed someone who believes something that is not a biblical teaching they will resent and even hate those who teach the bible in truth. Falsehoods are very difficult to defend. When you worship in truth you have confidence the truth will defend itself so have no need to react angrily or with violent or hateful thoughts. This is why Jesus said if they do not accept the truth shake the dust off your feet. In other words do not let it bother you. You told the truth it will defend itself. When God’s great day of judgment is here it will become very clear who was telling the truth and who was not. False religion in Jesus days had many traditions and celebration that were not put in place by God and they even violated his laws. They put heavy burdens on people financially and even physically. Many of those traditional celebrations involved forms of idolatry. The bible warned there would be teaching of demons in many churches in the last days. By worshiping in truth we are free of the burdens man and the demons would put on us. We also would be free from the guilt that comes from idolatry.

The truth protects us from lies. Believing or telling lies can complicates ones life. One can tell if they have been convinced of a lie because the more they have to defend it the more complicated it gets to defend a lie because more lies have to be told to support the first lie. For example major religion has actually changed history and how it actually has happened in order to support their lies. But eventually documents or something gets unearthed to expose the truth. It takes more lies to defend the first lie until eventually the lies get so numerous a person would have to completely ignore certain scriptures to maintain their belief in a lie. Some religions teach their leaders word over rides the bible. The bible warned if anyone taught something or said something contrary to what the bible says then they are teaching false doctrine. We are not to add to God’s word or take from it. The bible tells us by preventing our tongue from lying we enjoy many good days. The bible tells us the one who lies with every breath shall perish. It stands to reason, it is very stressful trying to defend a lie. Studies have shown stress dramatically reduces ones life span. When we tell the truth in the end what matters is whether God knows or not, because he is above all others , there is no authority over him. So whether someone believes us when we tell the truth or not we do not have to worry because God knows the truth and will remember that we stood for being truthful no matter what. Since he is the one who gives life we are free from the fear of destruction that others would have to fear. By not lying we are protected from the destruction that others will suffer during the day of judgment and free of the fear that our lie will be found out. Studies have shown those who tell lies eventually start losing their sense of what is real and what is not. So not telling lies protects our minds. Many believe they do not sin. The bible tells us if we believe we do not sin we are a liar. We all fall short and sin. If we were perfect we would not have had to have the bible written for us by God to guide us in how to prevents sinning and how to overcome it when we do sin. This helps us grow and to draw closer to God and Jesus. Those who lie will not reflect in the mirror of God’s perfect word so do not get the peace of mind and security that those who apply God’s word and do their best to draw closer to him would enjoy. Gods word hurts their conscience. What hope do those who lie have for the future. It is why when they are under trials and tribulation they are full of anxiety and the feelings of hopelessness. When the corruption of this system is being used to attack them they lose all hope. Those who do not lie know they can trust God and no matter what they endure, if they endure it as a righteous person God will reward them. This helps to free us from the anxieties and frustrations that come from having no hope. By not lying we can freely approach God in prayer and it will protect our hearts when we are being tried and give us an inner peace that those who lie do not enjoy.

By taking on the yoke of Jesus we are not burdened by the many problems others cause themselves. A yoke is put between beast of burden so they can share the load. What if you have a beast of burden that does not carry it’s load or causes an increased work load for the rest of the beast of burden. It can cause them to become wore down. This is why Jesus warns do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers because it can eventually start wearing at our faith, trust and loyalty to God. For example fornication which covers a variety immoral sex acts comes with the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases , some of them can actually cost you your life. There is unplanned pregnancy that can come with immoral relations. Having children out of wedlock does not provide a child with the stability they need while growing up. Often times the father does not participate in the children’s lives and even refuse to support them causing the mother to struggle financially. If we become unevenly yoked by those who approve of such things we could easily get drawn in and it may not only destroy our lives but it could effect others negatively. By taking on Jesus yoke and doing our best to obey the commands he has given us we are protected from the harm that can come from being yoked with the world who do not obey the commands Jesus has given us. By obeying God and following Jesus example we are protect from the confusion and problems immoral relations can cause. Often times the fornication carries guilt. We are free from the guilt and complications that come from fornicating.

We are told the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one. We are also told not to put our trust in ourselves or nobles. By trusting in God and Jesus it prevents us from making the many mistakes that we see man make. History has shown man makes the same mistakes over and over again. If they would obey God and put there trust in him many of those mistakes could be avoided. The mistakes man makes often times causes problems for themselves and others. When you trust God and Jesus and put your faith in them it prevents you from bringing more problems on yourselves and from causing others problems. We are all imperfect but by putting our trust in God if we make an error we have the confidence that his word will show us the way out. We can also be certain when we have whole heartedly repented God will forgive us because he is a merciful God. When the world makes errors they usually try to fix it by making more errors, causing themselves and others more problems. By putting faith in God and letting him guide us we will not make as many errors and if we do we have the confidence that his word will guide us through it and show us the way out instead of adding to our problems. The bible says we will suffer tribulation , by doing our best to obey God when we do suffer tribulation as a righteous person we will not have the added burdens those of the world have. This can helps us to endure because we have the yoke of Jesus so the burden is much lighter. Not only that but when we associate with those who do not let the God’s word guide them it sometimes can add stress to our lives because we try to navigate around their lack of faith and trust in God which can add stress to our lives. Also by being friends with those who reject God we are telling God we approve of their behavior. No matter how nice they may seem if God is not calling them to Jesus then there are things we cannot see that he can. We have to remember God can read peoples hearts and can see the hidden things in the heart we cannot. It is the more subtle things that can draw us away from God. By putting on the yoke of Jesus and being no part of the world we are protected and will not risk falling short and adding to the burdens of our lives.

Things are rapidly winding down, what hope do those who do not put their faith in God or Jesus have. They do not have the hope that being a part of the heavenly kingdom gives to those who do their best to obey God have. This can cause them to become heavily involved in the politics of this world and the corruption in it. Being no part of the world protects us from putting our trust in man and in doing so we have faith in the heavenly kingdom with Jesus as our king, when the end of this system comes we have no need to fear because Jesus said to raise ourselves up because when these things occur it means redemption is near. So when this occurs it is exciting times for those who are obedient because we know things are going to get much much better very soon. For those who put their faith in man and the corrupt political system and imperfect humans in this system when it collapses what hope do they have? What hope do those who put their trust in the wealth of this system or the material things of the world have when these things are gone, which the bible shows will occur very very soon? Those who put their trust and faith in God even if they lose everything they can have faith that God will protect them and get them through it. How refreshing it is to not live in the fear and panic others are in right now as they see things rapidly getting much much worse. What about those who are ill and do not get to know God or who are blind and do not get to know God? They have no hope to ever be healed and to experience perfect health which the bible promised to those who are obedient and faithful. So we can see the truth sets us free from the many anxieties and worries that those who are part of the world will experience.

The bible tells us to protect our minds from bad thoughts, and evil influence. Illegal drugs and excess alcohol make our minds open to influences. They can alter our moral compass . Many have made errors when intoxicated by a drug or alcohol that have destroyed their lives or cost others theirs. Some of the errors made while under the influence of a substance have permanently altered their lives or the lives of others in a way it has left life long emotional scars and sometimes financial loss. The cost of substance abuse or alcohol abuse is very expensive and have driven many to poverty. By protecting our minds from substance abuse or alcohol abuse it also protects us and others. If someone is struggling with substance abuse or alcoholism I can tell you first hand drawing closer to God helps you overcome them. I could never have done it on my own, my spiritual relatives were really there for me and they always had the right scripture to comfort me and help me overcome my alcoholism.

Another way the truth sets us free is we do not hold on to negative emotions, especially anger. Anger has been shown to dramatically impact our health it can negatively effect our mitochondria, our adrenal glands, our guts and can lead to cardiovascular disease. Jesus stressed the importance of forgiving others . We are even to forgive our enemies and pray for them. If our enemies are hungry or thirsty we are to provide for them. This prevents us feeling the hatred and anger that the world seems to be driven by now days. Because of this we come to know the real love that God and Jesus has. Even though our love would never be as complete and as pure as theirs if we do our best to imitate their love then we can experience the happiness they experience and we do not have the burden of the negative emotions that come with hating others or by carrying our anger for long periods of time. It frees our minds to dwell on happier and more fulfilling things. By holding a grudge or not forgiving someone it can hinder our prayers and even prevent God from listening to them. So those who are forgiving will have their prayers heard and be shown mercy as they show mercy.

This system is rapidly winding down. Food shortages, pestilence , hatred, violence, corruption, chronic illness, financial hardships and many other things are going to get worse. Those who have faith and trust in God and Jesus know these things are a sign that things are going to get much much better very soon. This is why Jesus said when you see these things occur raise ourselves up because deliverance is near. So we need to focus more on spiritual things now more then ever. Pray to God now more then ever. Things will get difficult for a short period of time but God has always gotten his people through it. We are in a time very similar to when Israel was ready to enter the promised land. They had two steep cliffs on each side of them. They had the sea in front of them. They had the enemy in chariots that had blades on the wheels. They would run people over and the blades would hack them up. It may have seemed hopeless for them but they remained faithful and did all God ask. He parted the sea for them. This resulted in then having a clear path to the promised land. When the enemy tried to cross God left the sea flood over them. Not a single one of the enemy soldiers that were pursuing them survived. Also even though all these things are occurring those with faith in God know God will protect them and provide for them as long as they have faith in him. This frees us from the fear and panic many are in now. This frees us from having to look for solutions because we know those solutions will not come from man but they will come from God.

(John 8:31, 32) ³¹ Then Jesus went on to say to the Jews who had believed him: “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples, ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

(Acts 15:9-11) . . .. ¹⁰ So why are you now making a test of God by imposing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our forefathers nor we were capable of bearing? ¹¹ On the contrary, we have faith that we are saved through the undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus in the same way that they are.”

(Mark 7:7, 8) ⁷ It is in vain that they keep worshipping me, for they teach commands of men as doctrines.’ ⁸ You let go of the commandment of God and cling to the tradition of men.”

(1 Timothy 4:1-5) 4 However, the inspired word clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, whose conscience is seared as with a branding iron. ³ They forbid marriage and command people to abstain from foods that God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth. ⁴ For every creation of God is fine, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is sanctified through God’s word and prayer over it.

(Jeremiah 10:1-5) 10 Hear the word that Jehovah has spoken against you, O house of Israel. ² This is what Jehovah says: “Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Because the nations are terrified by them.  ³ For the customs of the peoples are a delusion. It is just a tree of the forest that is cut down, Worked by the hands of the craftsman with his tool.  ⁴ They adorn it with silver and gold And fasten it with hammer and nails so that it will not fall over.  ⁵ Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, they cannot speak; They have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, Nor can they do any good.”

(John 8:43-47) . . .. ⁴⁴ You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a murderer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie. ⁴⁵ Because I, on the other hand, tell you the truth, you do not believe me. ⁴⁶ Who of you convicts me of sin? If I speak truth, why is it that you do not believe me? ⁴⁷ The one who is from God listens to the sayings of God. This is why you do not listen, because you are not from God.”

(Matthew 10:13-15) . . .. ¹⁴ Wherever anyone does not receive you or listen to your words, on going out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. ¹⁵ Truly I say to you, it will be more endurable for the land of Sodʹom and Go·morʹrah on Judgment Day than for that city.

(James 4:7-10) ⁷ Therefore, subject yourselves to God; but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you indecisive ones. ⁹ Give way to misery and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into despair. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the eyes of Jehovah, and he will exalt you.

(Matthew 5:33-37) ³³ “Again you heard that it was said to those of ancient times: ‘You must not swear without performing, but you must pay your vows to Jehovah.’ ³⁴ However, I say to you: Do not swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ nor by earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ Do not swear by your head, since you cannot turn one hair white or black. ³⁷ Just let your word ‘Yes’ mean yes, your ‘No,’ no, for what goes beyond these is from the wicked one.

(Revelation 21:1-4) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. ² I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. ⁴ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

(Isaiah 65:24, 25) ²⁴ Even before they call out, I will answer; While they are yet speaking, I will hear. ²⁵ The wolf and the lamb will feed together, The lion will eat straw just like the bull, And the serpent’s food will be dust. They will do no harm nor cause any ruin in all my holy mountain,” says Jehovah.

(Isaiah 35:6, 7)  ⁶ At that time the lame will leap like the deer, And the tongue of the speechless will shout for joy. For waters will burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert plain.  ⁷ The heat-parched ground will become a reedy pool, And the thirsty ground springs of water. In the lairs where jackals rested, There will be green grass and reeds and papyrus.

(Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6) ⁵ For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all, nor do they have any more reward, because all memory of them is forgotten. ⁶ Also, their love and their hate and their jealousy have already perished, and they no longer have any share in what is done under the sun.

(Psalm 146:4)  ⁴ His spirit goes out, he returns to the ground; On that very day his thoughts perish. . .

(Psalm 13:3) ³ Look upon me and answer me, O Jehovah my God. Give light to my eyes, so that I may not fall asleep in death,

(John 11:11-14) ¹¹ After he said these things, he added: “Lazʹa·rus our friend has fallen asleep, but I am traveling there to awaken him.” ¹² The disciples then said to him: “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get well.” ¹³ Jesus, however, had spoken about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. ¹⁴ Then Jesus said to them plainly: “Lazʹa·rus has died,

(1 Corinthians 15:20-22) ²⁰ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in death. ²¹ For since death came through a man, resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. ²² For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive.

(Revelation 20:12-15) . . .The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead in it, and death and the Grave gave up the dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds. ¹⁴ And death and the Grave were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire. ¹⁵ Furthermore, whoever was not found written in the book of life was hurled into the lake of fire.

(John 5:28-30) ²⁸ Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. ³⁰ I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative. Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

(2 Thessalonians 1:9) ⁹ These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength. . .

(2 Peter 3:7) ⁷ But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people.

(Romans 8:37-39) . . .. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers ³⁹ nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Isaiah 65:11-13) ¹¹ But you are among those forsaking Jehovah, Those forgetting my holy mountain, Those setting a table for the god of Good Luck, And those filling up cups of mixed wine for the god of Destiny. ¹² So I will destine you for the sword, And all of you will bow down to be slaughtered, Because I called, but you did not answer, I spoke, but you did not listen; You kept doing what was bad in my eyes, And you chose what displeased me.” ¹³ Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “Look! My servants will eat, but you will go hungry. Look! My servants will drink, but you will go thirsty. Look! My servants will rejoice, but you will suffer shame.

(Deuteronomy 18:10-13) . . ., ¹¹ anyone binding others with a spell, anyone who consults a spirit medium or a fortune-teller, or anyone who inquires of the dead. ¹² For whoever does these things is detestable to Jehovah, and on account of these detestable practices Jehovah your God is driving them away from before you. ¹³ You should prove yourself blameless before Jehovah your God.

(Psalm 34:12-14) ¹² Who among you takes pleasure in life And would love to see many good days? נ [Nun] ¹³ Then guard your tongue from what is bad, Your lips from speaking deception. ס [Samekh] ¹⁴ Turn away from what is bad and do what is good; Seek peace and pursue it.

(Proverbs 19:9)  ⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished, And the one who lies with every breath will perish.

(Revelation 21:8) But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and the sexually immoral and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This means the second death.”

(James 1:12, 13) ¹² Happy is the man who keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the crown of life, which Jehovah promised to those who continue loving Him. ¹³ When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone.

(Matthew 24:13, 14) ¹³ But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

(Job 42:10, 11) ¹⁰ After Job had prayed for his companions, Jehovah removed Job’s tribulation and restored his prosperity. Jehovah gave him double what he had before. ¹¹ All his brothers and sisters and all his former friends came to him and ate a meal with him in his house. They sympathized with him and comforted him over all the calamity that Jehovah had allowed to come upon him. Each of them gave him a piece of money and a gold ring.

(Philippians 4:4-7) ⁴ Always rejoice in the Lord. Again I will say, Rejoice! ⁵ Let your reasonableness become known to all men. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.

(John 16:33) ³³ I have said these things to you so that by means of me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage! I have conquered the world.”

(John 8:34-36) ³⁴ Jesus answered them: “Most truly I say to you, every doer of sin is a slave of sin. ³⁵ Moreover, the slave does not remain in the household forever; the son remains forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be truly free.

(Romans 6:15-18) . . .! ¹⁶ Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks to God that although you were once the slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that pattern of teaching to which you were handed over. ¹⁸ Yes, since you were set free from sin, you became slaves to righteousness.

(Matthew 11:28-30) . . .. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves. ³⁰ For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.”

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18) ¹⁴ Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? ¹⁵ Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Beʹli·al? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I will reside among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” ¹⁷ “‘Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.’” ¹⁸ “‘And I will become a father to you, and you will become sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah, the Almighty.”

(1 Peter 2:18-25) . . .. ¹⁹ For it is agreeable when someone endures hardship and suffers unjustly because of conscience toward God. ²⁰ For what merit is there if you are beaten for sinning and you endure it? But if you endure suffering because of doing good, this is an agreeable thing to God. ²¹ In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely. ²² He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth. ²³ When he was being insulted, he did not insult in return. When he was suffering, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the One who judges righteously. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his own body on the stake, so that we might die to sins and live to righteousness. And “by his wounds you were healed.” ²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.

(1 Peter 4:15, 16) ¹⁵ However, let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or a wrongdoer or a busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶ But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but let him keep on glorifying God while bearing this name.

(Matthew 5:27-30) ²⁷ “You heard that it was said: ‘You must not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I say to you that everyone who keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If, now, your right eye is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you. For it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be pitched into Ge·henʹna. ³⁰ Also, if your right hand is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to land in Ge·henʹna.

(Luke 10:26-28) . . .” ²⁷ In answer he said: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole strength and with your whole mind’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” ²⁸ He said to him: “You answered correctly; keep doing this and you will get life.”

(Romans 12:1, 2) 12 Therefore, I appeal to you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. ² And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(1 Peter 5:6-10) ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, ⁷ while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Keep your senses, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. ⁹ But take your stand against him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of your brothers in the world. ¹⁰ But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called you to his everlasting glory in union with Christ, will himself finish your training. He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you.

(Ephesians 5:15-18) ¹⁵ So keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as wise persons, ¹⁶ making the best use of your time, because the days are wicked. ¹⁷ On this account stop being unreasonable, but keep perceiving what the will of Jehovah is. ¹⁸ Also, do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but keep getting filled with spirit.

(Proverbs 20:1) 20 Wine is a ridiculer, alcohol is unruly; Whoever goes astray by them is not wise.

(Proverbs 23:21) ²¹ For a drunkard and a glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe one with rags.

(Matthew 18:21, 22) ²¹ Then Peter came and said to him: “Lord, how many times is my brother to sin against me and am I to forgive him? Up to seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him: “I say to you, not up to seven times, but up to 77 times.

(Mark 11:24, 25) ²⁴ This is why I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for, have faith that you have received them, and you will have them. ²⁵ And when you stand praying, forgive whatever you have against anyone, so that your Father who is in the heavens may also forgive you your trespasses.”

(Luke 17:2-4) . . .. ³ Pay attention to yourselves. If your brother commits a sin, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴ Even if he sins seven times a day against you and he comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

(Romans 12:17-21) ¹⁷ Return evil for evil to no one. Take into consideration what is fine from the viewpoint of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men. ¹⁹ Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says Jehovah.” ²⁰ But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.

(Luke 21:27, 28) ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.”

(Luke 21:16-19) ¹⁶ Moreover, you will be handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, ¹⁷ and you will be hated by all people because of my name. ¹⁸ But not even a hair of your heads will perish. ¹⁹ By your endurance you will preserve your lives.

(Luke 12:6, 7) Five sparrows sell for two coins of small value, do they not? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Have no fear; you are worth more than many sparrows.