As Jesus speaks to Jews, some open to believing in Him, He introduces a concept they were unaware of – they were slaves to sin!

They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. (John 8:33-34, ESV)

Jesus implies that freedom is an illusion without God; true freedom is freedom from sin, which is only possible through His Son.

1. Throughout the Old Testament, prophets confront the nation of Israel for their failure in remaining faithful to God and forsaking their covenant commitments. Carefully examine the following passages and discuss what you observe about the human condition.

Their tongue is a deadly arrow;
it speaks deceitfully;
with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor,
but in his heart he plans an ambush for him. (Jer 9:8, ESV)

The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it? (Jer 17:9, ESV)

And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. (Mark 4:18-19, ESV)

2. What do you observe of these biblical passages?

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor 2:14, ESV)

But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph 4:20-24, ESV)

3. What is Jesus saying here about us?

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15, ESV)

And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32, ESV)