It is for Freedom that Christ set us free. Then why do so many Christians live in bondage to sin? Through Jesus and his cross we have been delivered from the power of darkness, and given ‘victory, strength and freedom.’ But why do so many of us live lives that are held captive to destructive habits and shameful living. Author and pastor Robert Morris believes there is a spiritual dynamic to this. Because of sinful patterns in our life, we may have opened ourselves up to demonic influence.
Morris wrote a book in 2004 that is purported to have ‘transformed the act of giving’ called The Blessed Life. It may have. I didn’t actually read the book, so I am not sure, but some pastor friends I know really like it. Truly Free aims at a similar transformation, bringing greater freedom to us our spiritual lives.Morris’s advice rests on a couple of premises. First demons really do exist and our actively at work in the world (8). Second, demons influence and oppress people (even Christians)(12). Morris helps us resist the devil and gain freedom through a combination of discipleship and deliverance. It isn’t either/or. It is both/and.
After a few introductory chapters designed to help us recognize the devil and his work in our life, most of the book looks at specific problems that evidence the devil’s destructive work in our lives These include the snares of pride, bitterness, greed, lust, our thought life’s and areas of past wounding.
This isn’t a sensationalized account of personal evil. The demons and spirits that Morris talks about do not make you levitate, projectile vomit or cause your head to spin around like a globe. Nevertheless the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. Morris posits that demonic influence can be behind bondage to sin, continued illnesses (though not necessarily) and occultic spirituality (25-34). Morris does share some of his own experience of spiritual bondage, but again this is not sensationalized. More his continued struggle with particular sinful habits. Morris doesn’t simply say, pray the evil away but gives strategies of living into freedom while praying for deliverance. This doesn’t mean sensationalized demonization doesn’t take place, but it is not the focus of this book.
I am in agreement with Morris’s approach and think he states his description of demonization well. He is careful to state that Christians aren’t possessed (owned) by demons, but that this doesn’t preclude the reality of demonic influence, even in a believers life. Morris states this in a pastorally sensitive way and then goes on to address some of the sins that so easily entangle us. Each chapter ends with a prayer that God would give greater freedom to his people. I give this four stars.
Notice of material connection: I received this book from the Book Look Bloggers review program in exchange for my honest review
thoughts, prayers & songs: 
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