It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 AMP

As I reflect on Independence Day, this verse came to mind. Just as God sent His Son into the world to free mankind from the weight of sin that enslaved us, our Founding Fathers rose up to throw off the shackles of an oppressive monarchy as the call of freedom rose up in their hearts. 

Thomas Jefferson began the document that ignited a revolution with: 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

The Declaration of Independence

In 2012, none of these truths were self-evident in my life. I was enslaved by my compulsive sexual behaviors. It’s funny: sin promises everything but delivers nothing and, despite my professional successes, I felt dead inside. 

When I discovered Pure Desire Ministries, the craziness of my life began to make sense. I began to realize that my behaviors were not the problem—it was the brokenness underneath driving my behaviors that was the real issue. Once I entered into the loving accountability of a Pure Desire group structure, I was finally able to walk in the freedom that my heart had been crying out for during the previous 18 years.

But this was not an easy task. It was the hardest battle of my life, and I know how to fight––having served in the Navy for 27 years!  

Freedom comes at a cost and our military knows this all too well. I especially like this quote from President Dwight D. Eisenhower about Independence Day:

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.

President Dwight. D Eisenhower

This is so true in recovery. 

A couple weeks ago, I was reminded by the Lord that I cannot rest on my past successes, but I must fight daily for my purity. We have a real enemy of our souls out there that is not content to let us walk in purity. 

In this over-sexualized culture, there are plenty of temptations contending for our attention and it’s not about trying harder.

Sobriety without recovery is simply abstinence—a cessation of a negative activity, but not necessarily a state that leads to long-term freedom and heart change. A big part of real recovery is a spiritual process, a partnership of healing of God working through people.

Michael Dye, The Genesis Process

So, what are you doing to fight for your freedom? 

I’m seven years into my recovery and every day is a battle. I must practice meditation in the morning, rehearse my personal/prophetic promises during the day, and quiet my limbic system with prayer as I go to sleep. Just like a soldier who trains to fight, these are the spiritual disciplines that will keep us alive in the battle. 

I find that when I don’t practice these life-giving disciplines, my defenses become vulnerable to enemy attack.

As we celebrate this Independence Day with family and friends, I encourage you to review your battle plan for purity. What are you doing to fight for your freedom?