Delivered out of Egypt, it sounds like freedom, doesn’t it? The Israelites walked out of Pharaoh’s land, through the Red Sea, and into a new journey. Yet the shocking truth is that even though they were physically free, their hearts were still chained to Egypt. And I discovered the same in my own walk of salvation.
My Early Walk of Salvation
I remember when I first gave my life to Christ. I thought everything would instantly change. I changed the way I spoke, I memorized scripture, and I started going to church every Sunday. On the outside, I looked transformed. But deep inside, I could still feel the same dirt, the same filth, the same pull of old habits.
It was like the Israelites walking out of Egypt, but still carrying Egypt in their hearts. Physically free, but spiritually tied down. I was delivered out of Egypt, but I wasn’t paying attention to the Egypt still living in me.
The Weight of Old Environments
One of the biggest struggles was my environment. My friends didn’t change just because I changed. The connections I had made over the years still tied me down. The conversations, the habits, the temptations they all stayed around me. And though I had chosen Christ, the atmosphere around me kept pulling me back to who I was before.
Like the Israelites in the wilderness, I started building my own “golden calves.” Not with gold, but with old patterns, old circles, and old desires. And just like them, I didn’t see it as idolatry at first I thought it was harmless. But every time I gave in, I realized Egypt was still alive inside of me.
The Mirror of the Israelites
When I read the story in Exodus 32, where the Israelites built the golden calf, I used to shake my head in disbelief. “How could they turn away from God so quickly after He delivered them?” But then God showed me, it was me. I was reading my own reflection. They were free from Pharaoh, but not free from the Egypt inside them. I was free from the penalty of sin, but not yet free from the old mindset and influences that shaped me for years.
And that’s the danger. We celebrate our deliverance, but we ignore the quiet Egypt that still whispers inside us.
Breaking Free from Internal Egypt
Deliverance is not just about leaving a place it’s about letting go of a mindset. When Christ delivered me, He didn’t just want me to change my vocabulary or my schedule. He wanted my heart, my desires, and my habits to be surrendered. That meant I had to cut ties with certain friends. It meant changing my routines. It meant allowing the Word of God to not just touch my lips, but to wash my thoughts and renew my mind.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Transformation is not a one-time event it’s a process. The Israelites had to walk through the wilderness for forty years because Egypt had to be burned out of them. And in my own life, I had to walk through seasons of loneliness, struggle, and surrender so that the Egypt in me could finally die.
Lessons from My Journey
- Freedom without transformation is temporary. Leaving Egypt means nothing if Egypt still lives inside us.
- Environment matters. If you stay surrounded by the same influences, you will eventually fall back into the same bondage.
- Deliverance requires discipline. Saying no to old habits is hard, but every “no” is a step into true freedom.
- God is patient. Just as He didn’t abandon the Israelites in the wilderness, He didn’t abandon me while I was wrestling with my inner Egypt.
Conclusion
Being delivered out of Egypt is only the first step. The harder part is paying attention to the Egypt within us, the habits, the environments, the desires that hold us captive. My testimony is proof that salvation is not just about walking out of sin, but also about letting Christ walk sin out of us.
If you find yourself struggling even after giving your life to Christ, don’t be discouraged. You are not alone. The wilderness is part of the journey, and God is more committed to your freedom than you are. Let Him not only deliver you out of Egypt, but also deliver Egypt out of you.
FAQ
Q: Why do I still struggle with old habits after salvation?
A: Because salvation is the starting point. Deliverance from bondage takes time, discipline, and renewal of the mind through God’s Word.
Q: Does changing friends and environment really matter?
A: Yes. Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). Surroundings either reinforce your Egypt or help you walk into your Promised Land.
Q: How do I know if Egypt is still in me?
A: Look for patterns old desires, recurring sins, or the inability to fully let go of certain influences. These are signs Egypt is still alive inside.
