In The Call by Rick Joyner, the Lord reveals a prophetic vision where much of the Church is pictured as imprisoned. Christians were trapped inside cells with high walls guarded by “teachers.” These teachers, instead of freeing the believers, were positioned to shoot at anyone attempting escape. Joyner, walking in the light of God, could communicate with them — and while they momentarily understood truth when he was present, they quickly forgot once he moved away. They lacked their own light and stayed captive.
Freedom came through a hole in the wall, but it was surrounded by every imaginable fear. Facing intense spiritual attacks, ridicule, and doubt, Joyner finally pressed through. Once outside, he realized the fears were only illusions—freedom was real, but it required courageous obedience. He also realized how easily one could fall into captivity again, and how necessary it was for someone to break through to lead others.
Freedom Comes with Responsibility
Freedom, whether in Christ or in a nation like America, demands responsibility. Just like a free nation requires educated and participating citizens, freedom in Christ demands knowledge of God’s Word and a personal relationship with Him. George Barna’s research shows that 81% of Christians in America rarely pick up their Bible, and of the few who do, only 3% live by it.
Without grounding in Scripture, believers become vulnerable to whatever “teacher” speaks to them, good or bad. Jesus calls His followers to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. He calls them to discipleship — to follow Him and make more disciples.
Related:
- Back to Basics for the Church
- Rethinking Church- Not Us and Them, Just US
- Church is an Organism, not an Organization
- Re -Thinking Church- Vision for the Outside
- Re –Thinking Church Revisited
- Re-Thinking Church – Stats say it isn’t Working
- Re-thinking Church
- Re-Thinking Church- Institutionalized, Confined, and Contented?
- Rethinking Church: We made it Up, George Barna
- Re-Thinking Church: God is a God of order but his name is not Robert
- Activating the Church and Community by ReImagine
- Billy Graham’s NEW Decision Magazine Filled with Timely, Relevant Issues the Church is Facing Today
- Article and programs on exploring God’s “The Original Intent of the Church”
Breaking Free from Institutionalized Mindsets
When someone first comes to Christ, it’s easy to look at church buildings and assume the building is the “church” and the pastors are the holy ones. This is a misunderstanding. The church is not a building — it is the people. Every believer is called to be the Church, not merely attend one.
If we don’t break from this mindset, we stay institutionalized. True Christianity is a going faith, not a sitting faith. It is about actively making disciples and advancing God’s kingdom — just like in the Azusa Street Revival, where new believers were quickly sent out as missionaries around the world.
Fear of the Lord Versus Fear of Freedom
The fear of the Lord — a holy reverence and awe — is what keeps believers safe. Without it, people need fences, walls, and heavy structures to keep them from harming themselves spiritually, much like children need protective barriers until they grow in wisdom.
True maturity in Christ means needing fewer external restraints because the internal fear of God guides the believer’s life. If the fear of God fades from a society, so does the society’s freedom. As a Chinese Fulbright scholar observed, America’s democracy historically worked not because of government oversight but because people voluntarily obeyed the law, being taught accountability to God. Without religion, he warned, no nation could hire enough police to maintain order.
The Tragedy of Choosing Captivity Over Freedom
In the movie The Shawshank Redemption*, Brooks, a longtime prisoner, is finally released after decades of incarceration. But after so many years behind bars, he can no longer function outside the prison walls. The very freedoms others celebrate terrify him. No one tells him when to eat, where to go, or what to do. The pace of life overwhelms him. Alone, afraid, and unable to adjust to life beyond confinement, Brooks tragically takes his own life.
Brooks’ story mirrors the tragic reality of many believers today.
They have spent so long institutionalized by religious systems, human traditions, and man-made philosophies that they fear true freedom in Christ. The thought of walking daily by the Spirit, stepping out by faith, and making disciples outside the safety of the familiar feels overwhelming. It’s easier — they feel — to stay in their “cell” of religious routine, listening to guards (teachers and traditions) who reinforce the bars that Jesus died to break open.
Paul warns us of this danger in Colossians 2:8 (NIV):
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”
When human traditions replace the living Word, captivity replaces freedom. Like Brooks, many would rather die spiritually than step into the unpredictable, risky adventure of real faith — being sent out like lambs among wolves to be and make disciples. They would rather live in bondage under religious guards than walk freely and fully in obedience to Jesus Christ.
This spiritual imprisonment feels safe because it requires no risk, no trust, no personal dependence on God. But in truth, it is a counterfeit safety that starves the soul.
Jesus didn’t call us to a “safe” faith inside man-made walls. He called us to radical obedience — to “go” (Matthew 28:19), to “deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him” (Luke 9:23), and to “be sent out like lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3).
Freedom is frightening because it means we must depend on Jesus — not on a system, a title, a building, or a teacher. It means trusting His Spirit to guide us moment by moment. But it’s the only way to truly live.
https://youtu.be/tiG3HziMjWI?si=qMHyBYJQ85BmpIJnBrooks’ story is a warning:
Don’t grow so comfortable in captivity that you fear the freedom Jesus bought for you. Don’t choose the walls of religion over the wild adventure of walking with Christ.
Five Things We Learned
- Freedom in Christ requires facing and overcoming fear.
Fear often guards the exit from spiritual captivity, but once crossed, freedom is real and life-changing. - The Church is the people, not the building.
Every believer is called to be the Church wherever they go, not just attend one. - True safety comes from the fear of the Lord.
External controls (walls, rules, or fences) are needed when internal reverence for God is lacking [where there is no fear of God, you’ll need fences], but maturity in Christ brings internal obedience. - Brooks’ story warns us: captivity can feel safer than freedom.
Like Brooks, many today would rather cling to religious tradition than step out into real obedience and mission for Christ. (Colossians 2:8) - Freedom demands responsibility and active discipleship.
Being free in Christ means abiding daily in His Word and going boldly into the harvest field as His sent ones.
* The Shawshank Redemption was watch on VidAngel.com or similar filter app.