"I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin...
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free."
John 8:34-36 NLT
As most prisoners know, we carry a lot of things deep inside our hearts and minds...
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free."
John 8:34-36 NLT
As most prisoners know, we carry a lot of things deep inside our hearts and minds...
While this can be true of anyone, it is especially true for those who are incarcerated. And why is that, one might ask? It's because we live in a society of false appearances and illusions.
Prison is a world where distrust dominates. Yet I've been fortunate to have met many good men in here. Standup guys who've shown themselves to be trustworthy, friendly, and genuine. And I believe they feel the same way about me.
Yet aside from this, as a community of convicts, there's the idea that we must put up certain images of ourselves in order to create a shield of safety. And while on the surface it seems wise to do this because of the fear that, to show any sign of weakness, one could become a victim to predators.
Of no surprise, in this environment, stories abound of sexual assaults, robberies, extortion rings and gang activities. Therefore, inmates feel the need to put up the traditional tough guy, macho image of a hardened, "no nonsense" individual. We're expected to stand our ground and not back down.
The thought is that we cannot show fear, sadness, remorse, or pity in front of our peers lest we be perceived as being "weak" or "soft." And how such perceptions of an individual by his fellow cons could mean the difference between being taken advantage of and victimized, or being left alone.
But one day I came to realize this was all an illusion. Yes, the fear of victimization is real. It's a big part of one's life on the inside. It's an engrained belief that to display certain emotions that any normal human being would have, is a negative thing to display in the prison setting. How unfortunate!
Years into my prison sentence, and after I gave my life to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I came to the realization that this kind of fear was a lie. It was nothing but another means of keeping men and women in bondage, and unable to fully express our God given emotions as our Creator intended.
As I continued to follow the Lord Jesus and read the Bible, I came to understand that God is my protector. He's been watching over me all throughout the years of my incarceration. He has filled my mind with His peace, and my heart with His joy.
To live in fear of man is a form of slavery, which the Devil uses to control us. And in the prison setting, he tries to shame incarcerated individuals from expressing remorse for our crimes, as well as having sympathy for our victims. He would rather see prisoners fight than live in peace. He wants us to hate one another, rather than get along together.
I'm thankful I don't have to live in fear of my fellow convicts, nor of the devil who seeks to rule over jails and prisons everywhere.
As the Word of God clearly declares, "Whom the Son of God sets free, is free indeed." And thanks to Jesus, I'm free!
D.B.
Prison is a world where distrust dominates. Yet I've been fortunate to have met many good men in here. Standup guys who've shown themselves to be trustworthy, friendly, and genuine. And I believe they feel the same way about me.
Yet aside from this, as a community of convicts, there's the idea that we must put up certain images of ourselves in order to create a shield of safety. And while on the surface it seems wise to do this because of the fear that, to show any sign of weakness, one could become a victim to predators.
Of no surprise, in this environment, stories abound of sexual assaults, robberies, extortion rings and gang activities. Therefore, inmates feel the need to put up the traditional tough guy, macho image of a hardened, "no nonsense" individual. We're expected to stand our ground and not back down.
The thought is that we cannot show fear, sadness, remorse, or pity in front of our peers lest we be perceived as being "weak" or "soft." And how such perceptions of an individual by his fellow cons could mean the difference between being taken advantage of and victimized, or being left alone.
But one day I came to realize this was all an illusion. Yes, the fear of victimization is real. It's a big part of one's life on the inside. It's an engrained belief that to display certain emotions that any normal human being would have, is a negative thing to display in the prison setting. How unfortunate!
Years into my prison sentence, and after I gave my life to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I came to the realization that this kind of fear was a lie. It was nothing but another means of keeping men and women in bondage, and unable to fully express our God given emotions as our Creator intended.
As I continued to follow the Lord Jesus and read the Bible, I came to understand that God is my protector. He's been watching over me all throughout the years of my incarceration. He has filled my mind with His peace, and my heart with His joy.
To live in fear of man is a form of slavery, which the Devil uses to control us. And in the prison setting, he tries to shame incarcerated individuals from expressing remorse for our crimes, as well as having sympathy for our victims. He would rather see prisoners fight than live in peace. He wants us to hate one another, rather than get along together.
I'm thankful I don't have to live in fear of my fellow convicts, nor of the devil who seeks to rule over jails and prisons everywhere.
As the Word of God clearly declares, "Whom the Son of God sets free, is free indeed." And thanks to Jesus, I'm free!
D.B.