John 15:15, New International Version

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

“Gollum: We wants it, we needs it. Must have the precious. They stole it from us. Sneaky little hobbitses. Wicked, tricksy, false!

Smeagol: No. Not master!

Gollum: Yes, precious, false! They will cheat you, hurt you, lie.

Smeagol: Master is my friend.

Gollum: You don't have any friends; nobody likes you!

Smeagol: [closes his ears with his hands] I am not listening... I am not listening...

Gollum: You are a liar and a thief.

Smeagol: No.

Gollum: (Whisper) Murderer.

Smeagol: (voice breaking; hurt by Gollum's remark) Go away!

Gollum: "Go away?"

Smeagol: (weeping) I hate you. I hate you.

Gollum: Where would you be without me, uh? Gollum, Gollum... I saved us! It was me! We survived because of me!

Smeagol: (stops crying) Not anymore.

Gollum: What did you say?

Smeagol: Master looks after us now. We don't need you anymore.

Gollum: What?

Smeagol: Leave now, and never come back!

Gollum: No!

Smeagol: (louder and firmer) Leave now, and never come back!

Gollum snarls in frustration

Smeagol: Leave! Now! And never come back!

Gollum is silent; Smeagol waits

Smeagol: (looks around; then begins galumphing around with joy) We told him to go away... and away he goes, Precious! Gone, gone, gone! Smeagol is free!”

(Quotes from Movie The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers)

My dear friends, do you see the similarities between the conversation of Gollum and Smeagol and the one that happens within your own life? If you haven’t recognized it yet, I want you to know—Gollum represents the voice of Satan, and Smeagol represents those who have been captured by him and enslaved for so long. Yet Smeagol found his Master. He came to know that his Master loves him, cares for him, and calls him friend. Do you know this as he did? Do you know that you have a Master who loves you, cares for you, and calls you His friend? (John 15:15)

The enemy will never stop tempting, deceiving, or even threatening you in an attempt to break your relationship with your Master, your friend. And if that doesn’t work, he will whisper and accuse, trying to convince you that you are unworthy of your Master’s love. He will remind you of your past and use it to deceive you again. But I want you to stand firm and learn from Smeagol’s choice: stop crying, and with a louder and firmer voice, declare what you believe! Your Master watches over you—now and forever. Command the enemy to leave and never come back! (Luke 10:19) Celebrate with joy, for you are free! Then remember:

“…Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” (John 8:11, NIV) Because Jesus, the Son of God, your friend, provided you a complete and eternal spiritual freedom from sin: “So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.” (John 8:36, Amplified Bible)