Who Will Free You from Yourself? - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - December 21, 2025

“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” Romans 6:6-7 (NLT)

God gives incredible freedoms to everyone who puts their trust in him. We already looked at the first two: a clear conscience and personal access to God. The third freedom is the power to do what is right.

Most people think freedom means no rules, no limits, and no regulations—but that’s a very limited view of freedom. Instead, freedom is the power God graciously gives you to say “yes” to the things that are good for you and “no” to the things that are harmful.  

If you don’t have the power to say “no,” there’s a word for that: addiction. And with it comes obsessions and compulsions in your life. The Bible teaches, “For you are a slave to whatever controls you” (2 Peter 2:19 NLT).

I once read a story about a brother and sister who were encouraged by their parents to “find your bliss.” Their home had no boundaries, and they were allowed to experiment with sex and drugs. By the time they were in their mid-20s, their lives were out of control.

The brother soon realized, “My freedom was no freedom at all. On the outside, I appeared to be enjoying life. But inside I was enslaved to my own fears, insecurities, and compulsions. I needed someone to free me from myself.”  

That’s exactly what we all need: someone to free us from ourselves. 

Have you ever thought, “Why do I fly off the handle at people I love the most?” or “Why am I anxious and fearful all the time?” and “How do I stop?” These are things you may have tried to change about yourself but didn’t have the power to change. That kind of power comes only from God. 

Paul voiced this tension in Romans 7:24-25: “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord” (NLT).

Why is Jesus Christ the answer? Jesus promised, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36 NIV).

Freedom is not simply having no limits. Radical freedom is the freedom to say “yes” to the things that improve your health, increase your happiness, and fill your life with significance. Radical freedom is the power to do what is right.

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Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.

For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!

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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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