The True Mark Of A Free Man

Unless a man can control his passions, desires, and fears, he is not in possession of himself (Proverbs 16:32; Proverbs 25:28). No man is truly free who is not in command of himself. Since the Scriptures teach that a man’s worth is measured, not in terms of what he possesses (Luke 12:14-15), but by the quality of his character (Job 27:1-6; cf. Job 2:9-10; Job 13:15), it is desirable for us to become masters of ourselves (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Corinthians 10:1-6; cf. Romans 6:16-18).

To become masters of ourselves, means that we must be inner directed, motivated by real convictions, based on God’s word, rather than be pushed about to and fro like a weather vane by pressures from without (Ephesians 4:11-15; Romans 12:1-2).

The ability to act in accord with our convictions — to do what know we should do (Romans 14:22-23 – see commentary; 1 John 3:21), and not as the world wants us to do (1 John 2:15-17; James 3:13-18), is the true mark of a free man. Also note John 8:31-36 and see commentary.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets