In 1678 John Bunyan wrote his famous allegory 'Pilgrim's Progress' ~ intended to portray the Christian journey from the 'city of destruction' to the 'celestial city'. He wrote whilst imprisoned for teaching God's word outside of the formal 'accepted' church of the day.

 

The Bible speaks often of persecutions, difficulties and troubles for those who seek to follow Christ (John 16:33) and in the time of the early church much was recorded about the hardship, opposition and strife that the new believers faced (Galatians). At the beginning of creation we see sin and evil introduced to humanity  (Gen 3, Isaiah 54:16) and consequences of unbelief, deceit and death.

 

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 15:14) and knowing the truth enables us to discern the false.

God's word is the only way of life and shows us freedom - following Him keeps us from being ensnared, entraped or enslaved. (Galatians 5) Galatians 3:23

God intends us to be whole (1Thess 5:23)  by becoming a 'slave to Christ' (Eph 3:1) - finding true life in death of self and humble obedience to Godly life.

(Jn 12:24).

 

2Cor 10:5 - taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ

Romans 6 1-14 - obedient to Christ with our bodies Titus 3

Isaiah 61 - gaining / keeping spiritual freedom Christ has gained for us

 

 

Turn to God's word and arm yourself against trappings of the world, the flesh and the devil:

 

 

Genesis 3: Adam & Eve ~ persuaded into unbelief and eventually death "did God really say..."

Genesis 4: Cain & Abel ~ pleasing /displeasing God through our own efforts / his plans

Genesis 16/21: Sarah/Hagar ~ unfaithfulness to God's design

Genesis 19: Lot's wife ~ tempted to disobey God's guidance

 

Matthew 4:1-11: Temptation of Jesus

Genesis 20: Abraham lied

Genesis 25 19-24, Gen 27: Jacob & Esau

 

 

Philippians 3:12 ~ Paul's encouragement to 'press on'

Matthew 6:21 ~ 'Where your treasure is there your heart will be also' John 8 42-47 ~ father of lies ~ remember who you belong to.

1Cor 7:23

  

"Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" 2Corinthians 5:17