“Why Do You Still Long for Slavery?”

Basis-
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” — Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

1/ God Delivered Israel — Yet Their Hearts Remained in Egypt

When God freed His people from Egypt’s cruel bondage, it was not only to take them out of Egypt but to take Egypt out of them.
Despite their miraculous deliverance through the Red Sea, the Israelites soon murmured:

“We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick.” — Numbers 11:5

How sad — they called slavery freedom!
This is a picture of many Christians who, though freed by Christ, still yearn for the pleasures and habits of their old life.

Ellen G. White comments:
“They had not learned to trust God. They could not see Him; therefore they distrusted His power. Their hearts were filled with murmuring and rebellion.” — Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 292

Freedom is not merely a change of place — it’s a change of heart. God could take Israel out of Egypt in one night, but it took years to take Egypt out of Israel.

2/ The Spiritual Egypt — A Symbol of Sin and Bondage

Egypt represents more than a nation — it represents the bondage of sin, unbelief, and self-dependence. Pharaoh symbolizes Satan, who refuses to let us go easily.

“Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” — John 8:34

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.” — Romans 6:20 (ESV)

To be under sin’s dominion is to live like a slave — obeying the master who destroys. Many today have left the visible Egypt but still carry the hidden chains of pride, lust, resentment, or worldliness.

Ellen G. White writes:
“Sin, however small it may be esteemed, can be indulged in only at the peril of infinite loss.” — Steps to Christ, p. 32

Freedom in Christ is not partial. It’s a total break from the old master.

3/ Why Do People Still Long for Slavery?

(a) Because of Familiarity

Egypt was familiar; the wilderness was unknown.
Many prefer the misery they understand to the faith journey they cannot see.

“And they said to one another, ‘Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.’” — Numbers 14:4

The Israelites preferred the chains they knew to the freedom they couldn’t yet feel.

Ellen G. White observes:
“Many are unwilling to put forth the effort to overcome their sinful habits, and therefore they do not find the rest that comes through perfect submission to Christ.” — Steps to Christ, p. 47

Freedom demands trust in God’s leading. Familiar chains feel safer than unfamiliar faith.

(b) Because of Unbelief

They doubted God’s promise and power.
When trials arose, they said:

“Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness?” — Exodus 14:11

Unbelief is spiritual amnesia — forgetting what God has done in the past.

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” — Hebrews 3:12

Ellen G. White comments:
“The reason why many find the Christian life so deplorably hard, why they are so fickle, so variable, is that they try to attach themselves to Christ without first detaching themselves from these cherished idols.” — Messages to Young People, p. 310

Unbelief makes one look backward instead of forward — to Egypt instead of to Canaan.

(c) Because of Hidden Desire for the World

Lot’s wife looked back, though she had been warned not to. Her heart was still in Sodom.

“Remember Lot’s wife.” — Luke 17:32

Just like her, some look longingly at what they left behind — the old habits, music, dress, or worldly pleasures. But looking back always ends in spiritual death.

Ellen G. White says:
“Lot’s wife looked back to Sodom, partaking of her spirit, and was changed into a pillar of salt. The desire for forbidden things had been cherished in her heart.” — Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 161

When the heart still clings to the world, one’s steps inevitably turn backward.

4/ The Freedom Christ Gives Is Complete

Christ’s freedom is not the liberty to sin, but the liberty from sin.
He breaks the chains of every enslaving habit and restores the power to choose righteousness.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” — John 8:36
“For sin shall not have dominion over you.” — Romans 6:14

True freedom begins at the cross — where Christ broke the chains of sin and death.

Ellen G. White writes:
“Through His power, man can be restored to communion with God. The soul that has been degraded by sin is renewed in the image of God.” — The Great Controversy, p. 467

Freedom is not found in self-effort but in complete surrender.

5/ Returning to Slavery Is a Tragic Reversal

Peter warns about those who return to sin after knowing the truth:

“It has happened to them according to the true proverb: The dog returns to his own vomit, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” — 2 Peter 2:22

This is the danger of spiritual relapse — going back to what Christ delivered us from.

Ellen G. White warns:
“It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the mere assent to truth constitutes righteousness.” — The Desire of Ages, p. 309

To go back is to choose bondage over blessing. God’s question echoes still:

“How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him.” — 1 Kings 18:21

6/ Examples of Those Who Chose Freedom

Joseph — He could have chosen sin in Egypt, but he said,

“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” — Genesis 39:9

He refused the temporary pleasure of slavery to passion, and God exalted him.

Moses — “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” — Hebrews 11:25

He valued God’s freedom above Pharaoh’s wealth.

Ellen G. White on Moses:
“Moses was great because he was willing to be little; he trusted God to be his wisdom and his strength.” — Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 246

The Prodigal Son — He longed for the “freedom” of sin but found only bondage among the swine. Yet when he returned home, he found true freedom in his father’s love (Luke 15:11–24).

7/ The Fight to Remain Free

Freedom in Christ must be guarded daily. Satan constantly seeks to draw us back into bondage — through old temptations, discouragement, or compromise.

“Be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” — Galatians 5:1
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.” — Ephesians 6:14

Ellen G. White counsels:
“Every day you are to learn more of the meaning of freedom, and how to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made you free.” — Our High Calling, p. 145

Freedom must be guarded through prayer, study of the Word, and obedience.

8/ How to Remain Free
• Renew your mind daily: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
• Feed your spirit, not your flesh: “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16
• Remember your Deliverer: “You shall remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you.” — Deuteronomy 15:15

Ellen G. White says:
“The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness.” — The Desire of Ages, p. 324

The more Christ lives in the heart, the less room there is for Egypt.

When you’re tempted to look back, remember:
• Egypt means chains, not comfort.
• The world offers momentary pleasure, but God offers eternal joy.
• Freedom in Christ is not a feeling — it’s a state of surrender and trust.

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17
“Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made you free.” — Galatians 5:1

Why do you still long for slavery when the gates of freedom are open?
Why look back at Egypt when Canaan is before you?
The cross has broken your chains — now walk forward.
“The path to freedom from sin is through crucifixion of self and conflict with the powers of darkness. Let none be discouraged in this struggle. Christ’s victory is ours.” — The Desire of Ages, p. 301

Christ has set you free/ not partially, but completely.
Do not rebuild the walls of the prison He has torn down.
Walk in freedom, live in obedience, and keep your eyes fixed on the Land of Promise — for those who endure in liberty will one day enter the heavenly Canaan forever.