Freedom and Joy in Faith

Discovering Joy in Faith: Breaking Free from Religious Burdens

In this episode of I Don’t Get the Bible, we kicked off our study of Philippians with an unfiltered conversation on how to read scripture honestly and how our view of the Bible impacts our daily lives. We challenged traditional perspectives, discussing how Paul’s letters were written to specific audiences in a specific time while still holding principles that can guide believers today. This realization allows us to walk by the Spirit rather than be controlled by religious institutions.

A major takeaway from Philippians 1 was Paul’s deep desire to live fully for Christ while also longing to be with Him. This led to an emotional and personal discussion about what it means to truly embrace the great news that Christ has already done everything for us. Shawn shared how he spent years struggling with a mindset of suffering, feeling detached from life, and even desiring death over living in the world. But through a life-changing conversation with Delaney, he realized that fulfillment means enjoying life with gratitude while still walking in faith.

We also examined how Christianity has misunderstood suffering—often emphasizing escapism and detachment from the world rather than living joyfully in Christ’s victory. Many believers think of faith as enduring hardship until they reach heaven, but Philippians challenges us to see salvation as something that bears fruit in our lives now, rather than just a future hope. This doesn’t mean we chase material success, but that we can embrace laughter, relationships, and even celebration as part of God’s good gifts.

Additionally, we confronted how religious traditions have robbed people of freedom, making faith feel burdensome rather than life-giving. Jesus Himself was criticized for enjoying life—called a glutton and a drunkard—yet He exemplified how to be in the world but not of it. True faith isn’t about avoiding joy, but about living in love, peace, and purpose, free from guilt-driven religion.

If you’ve ever wrestled with balancing faith, joy, and suffering, this episode is for you. Tune in and join the conversation as we continue diving into Philippians and discovering what it means to truly live in the freedom Christ has given us.