After nearly three decades of addiction, U.S. Army veteran Matthew Linehan says a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ set him free. Now, his debut Christian nonfiction book, Free Indeed: The Seven Keys to Unlock Your Freedom, aims to help others find the same liberation. The book, released by Lucid Books, outlines seven biblical principles that Linehan credits with breaking the strongholds of addiction, shame, and fear in his life.
Linehan's journey into addiction began after his father's suicide when he was young. The ensuing grief and pain led to years of substance abuse and spiritual darkness. In January 2015, he surrendered his life to Christ, an event he describes as transformative. Since then, he has dedicated himself to ministry, co-founding Men in Christ Global Ministries and serving in various pastoral roles.
"After nearly 30 years of addiction, I encountered Jesus Christ and was completely set free," Linehan said. "I wrote this book because I want people to know that no matter how long they have struggled, freedom is still possible. There is hope, and there is a way forward."
The book is written for individuals battling addiction, shame, destructive patterns, and other forms of bondage, as well as for families and ministry leaders supporting them. Linehan developed the material while teaching the Free Indeed curriculum at a large church in Houston, Texas, with his wife, Emily. Combining personal testimony with Scripture-based teaching, the book aims to provide practical discipleship for lasting change.
"I believe this book is different because I lived it, walked it out, and came through the other side to talk about it," Linehan said. "These principles are not theories to me. They are biblical truths that transformed my life and became the foundation of the message God has called me to share."
The writing process, which began seriously around 2020, required persistence and organization, especially as Linehan manages ADHD. Despite challenges, his purpose remained clear: to offer hope. "If readers take away only one thing from this book, I want it to be hope," he said. "Jesus offers abundant new life to everyone who is willing to surrender. Freedom is not reserved for a select few, and no one is too broken, too ashamed, or too far gone to experience the transforming power of God's grace."
Linehan is a 2018 graduate of the Lakewood Church Pastoral Care Internship and previously served as a men's ministry director in the Katy, Texas, area. He lives in Taipei, Taiwan, with his wife and daughter, while continuing to minister internationally. Free Indeed is available through Lucid Books, a Houston-based hybrid publisher. For more information, visit Lucid Books.
