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What is it that you are struggling with? Is there a habit you wish you never had taken up? A personal flaw or judgment that you lodge against others? Do you feel as though God is waiting to pounce on you when that habitual sin happens again, when you’d vowed it wouldn’t? If any of these sound familiar…or, if you feel that somehow you are missing the freedom and grace that the Christian life is supposed to bring to you…then read my review about Kirby Kelly’s new book, You Can Be Free: Overcoming Temptation and Habitual Sin by the Power and Promises of the Gospel. It’s a powerful book, for sure. I received a copy from FrontGate Media; now, let me tell you what I’ve learned and seen from this book!
From the publisher, about You Can Be Free
“You Can Be Free: Overcoming Temptation and Habitual Sin by the Power and Promises of the Gospel by Kirby Kelly is not just another book—it’s a beacon of hope, a roadmap to liberation, and a powerful guide for those seeking freedom from the chains of shame and sin.
As a podcaster and Bible teacher, Kirby Kelly brings practical wisdom, biblical insights, and relatable stories to the forefront, making this book an approachable and life-changing resource.
In a world where shame and sin often hold us captive, Kirby Kelly invites readers to embrace the liberating power of the Gospel. Whether it’s overcoming addiction, breaking free from destructive habits, or finding hope amidst life’s struggles, this book offers practical steps and biblical truths that resonate with authenticity.
We’ve noticed that audiences who resonate with Jonathan “JP” Pokluda, Hosanna Wong, and Sadie Robertson are likely to connect deeply with Kirby Kelly’s message. If you’ve enjoyed their content, You Can Be Free is a must-read.”
My thoughts about You Can Be Free
Kirby Kelly writes with a joyful, kind, and optimistic voice. I found this fascinating, as much of her book deals with bringing to light the, as the writer of the Bible book of Hebrews says, “…everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (That’s from Hebrews 12:1b-2a.) We all probably know what the sins are that so easily entangle us or the things that hinder us. Perhaps it’s judging others. Or anger. Unforgiveness, or impatience. Or maybe it’s an addiction to a substance or an item. Kirby shares, with such vulnerability and honesty, that her own struggle was with pornography (after being exposed to it as a small child). Poor precious one! And yet Kirby courageously fought a years-long battle to be delivered from that struggle. In so doing, she learned an 11-step (well, okay, a 12-step!) “Battle Plan” that includes purposeful actions and steps of faith we can embrace as we walk out the journey to our own freedom. These do not only apply to Kirby’s struggle, but to probably many (if not every) sin struggle we face as humans.
Her steps include such actions as confession (naturally, to wise and trusted friends or counselors); wise boundaries; knowing our enemy, our God, and ourselves; returning home; letting go of what’s past, renewing our minds; focusing on practice; and more. These steps, explained in You Can Be Free‘s book chapters with great clarity, offer practical behaviors that align with Scriptures.
I read this book in a quick (as my library would say) rapid read. But the further I read, the more I noticed practices or ideas that I knew could be a real difference makers in my own life. Then, my favorite tool the Post-It flags came out. I hope to take the ideas that I flagged and write them down in my journal, exploring more about how God might want to work them out in me even as there are steps I can take myself. Perhaps this can be another way that I work *with* God in my own growth and healing.
I’ve been a fan of personal healing for years myself; that can happen in so many ways and I’ve seen in happen in myself and in others! In this good book, Kirby offers some practical ideas for work we can do alongside God, and with trusted friends or counselors. There’s so much that I find useful in this book. And I appreciate the vulnerability Kirby writes with, along with the perseverance she embraces and encourages both in herself and in readers.
Here are some of the wonderful words in this book that were some of my faves
- “Don’t believe the lie that God has moved on from you, because He has gone to every extent to have an ongoing, present, covenantal relationship with you from now until eternity. He does not reject you; He wants you. He has never stopped and will never stop pursuing you. Like the good shepherd who left the ninety-nine sheep to go after the lost one, He is on a mission to find and rescue you (Matthew 18:10-14).” (p. 58)
- “The Word is our weapon (Ephesians 6:17), prayer is a weapon (Ephesians 6:18), our faith and trust in God and His truth is a weapon (1 Peter 5:8-9), and our submission to God is a weapon against the Evil One (James 4:7).” (p.103)
- “As humans, the biggest questions we wrestle with are our purpose, our sense of meaning, and our place of belonging, all of which God can answer since He is our Creator and Designer. He knows our main function and reason for existence. He is the One who made us on purpose and with a purpose—that’s why He knows what is best for us and gives us instruction, guidance, and boundaries so we can live in actual freedom.” (p. 38)
Watch the book trailer here
Here’s where you can purchase You Can Be Free
Kirby Kelly’s website has links that you can use to purchase You Can Be Free from numerous booksellers. Just click on the purchase link below to go to that page. You’ll see a little more about the book there, in addition to some bonus chapter info you can sign up to receive when you order the book.
Purchase link for You Can Be Free
Bless you! –Wren
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from FrontGate Media. All opinions shared here are my own.
finchnwren 