Breaking Chains

By: Keefe Wilson

Friday, June 19, 2026

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Years ago, circus elephants were trained with a heavy chain attached to one of their legs. As young elephants, they would pull, struggle, and fight to break free, but they weren't strong enough. Eventually, they would stop trying. Later, they would become massive animals, capable of snapping any chain with ease. But those elephants remained bound—not because they lacked strength, but because they believed their chains were unbreakable. Sometimes the trainers didn't even need to use a chain, a rope was enough to convince the elephants they were captives.

Many of us are living our lives like those elephants. Though Christ has set us free from the mind-controlling power of sin, we still believe we are chained. We struggle under the weight of sin, guilt, and shame because we are trapped by our old way of thinking. When we do, we are forgetting the power of the cross! Jesus died to forgive us of our sins— but He also died to break our chains of bondage. Thanks to Jesus, we have the power to say no to sin, and we are unchained!

As a Christ Follower, it took a long time for me to understand I'd been set free. Like those elephants, I was holding on to my old beliefs and behaviors. I was free, but Satan had me convinced my chains were still there. He whispered, "You'll never change. You'll always struggle with that sin”. Eventually, God's Word convinced me to stop believing the enemy's lies.

To give us hope, in John 8:36 Jesus declared, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” When Jesus promised we are free, He meant it! It means that through Christ's power, believers aren't controlled by sin anymore. No matter how addictive a sin might seem, Jesus' power is stronger! But if we want the freedom that Jesus is promising, we must be in a close, personal relationship with Him.

Sin may be enjoyable for a season, but the consequences of disobeying God have lasting (everlasting for some) effects. That why God's Word says that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Satan tells us that sin brings satisfaction, but he leaves out the spiritual, emotional, and relational devastation. In contrast, Christ offers us forgiveness, freedom, joy, and abundant life. We all must make a choice: Will we choose temporary pleasure or eternal freedom?

Today, we must all ask ourselves this question: Am I carrying a chain that Jesus has already broken? If our answer is yes, then we must "shake it off" and believe we've been set free like Jesus promised!