Sometimes we use polite, little lies to try to be kind or avoid being rude. We might say, “Yes, I can tell you’ve lost some weight.” Or, “You have not aged a bit.” Or, “Wow, you almost scored a goal on that play.” But our passage here is talking about truth and lies at a more profound level than the social niceties we practice.

Are you a slave to sin and death, or are you free from them? In John 8:34, Jesus says that “everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” That certainly includes me—and you too. If we wish to be free from that slavery, we must embrace the truth that is Jesus. Only he can liberate us from the sin that enslaves us.

Which sins enslave you? Are you a slave to anger, or lust, or greed, or envy, or sports, or beauty, or money? We are all slaves to something. We might tell ourselves that we will be truly happy once we get this or that thing, or when we reach a certain goal. But only faithful followers of Jesus have a real shot at freedom from slavery to sin. All other plans for liberation just end up in a new form of slavery.

An example of this is political revolution. In Nicaragua, for example, the Sandinistas overthrew an oppressive oligarchy led by Anastasio Somaza. Now, under the Sandinista leaders Daniel and Rosario Ortega, things are worse than ever before.

Let’s not flip from one slave master to another. We can find freedom by following Jesus. Only then will we be free.