April 23, 2025

SLAVES TO GODS THAT DON’T EXIST

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist.

Galatians 4:6-8 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

Paul is writing about being slaves. To the Jews this would have been a reminder of their time in Egyptian slavery. He tells the Gentiles they were also slaves to “so-called gods that do not even exist.”

As Americans we don’t often think of ourselves as slaves. We are the “land of the free.” But if there’s something you need so badly that you can’t imagine your life without it, then you are a slave to that thing. You have given up your freedom. You are bound to it. It could be a possession, a relationship, a title, a habit, a hurt, or a reputation.

Anything that demands your attention, time, and treasure becomes your slave master. I know of some people who are slaves to their phones. That can’t go one hour without checking for messages, or the latest reel that someone has posted. 

Others are slave to entertainment through television. I visited a friend one day for dinner and they had three different televisions running at the same time the entire evening. 

Then there are the habits that can become an addiction. They don’t have to be bad habits. I know of some guys who are slaves to golf. They are either playing golf, watching golf videos, or talking about golf almost twenty-four hours a day.

I repeat an earlier statement, “if there is anything your need so badly that you can’t imagine your life without it, then you are a slave to that thing.”

But here is the good news, through Jesus Christ, God has invited us to be free from slavery and heirs of God. He sent Jesus to die on the cross and pay the price for our freedom. We can live without the bondage of sin. God has given us His Spirit to live in us and empower us to be people of freedom. 

Today we can begin the journey to freedom by asking the Holy Spirit to show us anything in our lives that is trying to make us a slave. Then we can begin to step into freedom.

Paul reminds us, “now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.” As our Heavenly Father God celebrates every step we take to freedom. Any father watching his child take steps celebrates every step and encourages their child when they fall down. It would be horrible father who berates their child because they fell after two steps. 

Our Heavenly Father is full of grace and mercy. He wants to celebrate every step to freedom. He cheers our steps and picks us up when we fall. Regardless of how many times we fall our Father is there to pick us back up.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit show me any area of my life where I have allowed myself to become a slave. Show me the steps I need to take to find freedom. Help me to grow more each day in my walk of freedom. 

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”