False Sense of Freedom – EGP Blog post from January 14, 2013

Hebrews 2:14–15 ()

[14] Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, [15] and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

Hebrews 2:14 Lit blood and flesh

Satan exaggerates the limitations of God’s guidelines and promises limitless freedom, but anyone who has fallen prey to his schemes realizes that once you give in, the chains of bondage tighten, leaving you in a much worse state than before. By that time, most are so heavily deceived that they don’t even realize this is the case. But this is why Jesus came…to set the captives free! And “if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” ()

Luke 4:18–19 ()

[18] “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, [19] To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

But when Jesus made this quote about Himself in Luke from Isaiah, He only quoted the first half. While it’s not unusual for Satan to deceptively half quote scripture in order to try to steer people the wrong way (, ), Jesus only quoted the first part because that was the part He was fulfilling that day. The rest of the passage was a prophecy of His second coming… ()

(NASB) “…and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”