All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1 Corinthians 6: 12 NKJV
I once knew a African American man who was a coworker of mine. Now, this man was indeed a good and positive person...when he was sober. For his greatest weakness was retreating to the bar each day after work to, as he called it, "work on his issues." In the end, he was fired for a DUI he received while on vacation to California. I've written many times of the evils of addiction, so I figured one more wouldn't hurt. Perhaps this time somewhere out there someone would hear what I have to say. I've known plenty of people who have been caught up in the evils of one addiction or another. I myself battled a addiction to pornography for years. So, what made me want to delve once again into this issue? My old coworker. I often recall him telling anyone who would listen that, as a black man, that he would not be enslaved to anyone. I get it. Yet, in his struggle not to be under the control of any man, he came under the control of something far worse. Back in the day, seldom did I think of my own addiction as being enslaved, yet that is exactly what I was. When it needed me, I was there. If you are entangled in a addiction of your own, you might not feel as if you are a slave. You might even feel as if you can kick your habit any time you want. But I will disagree with that line of thinking. Remember, I've been where you are today. I've already walked that road. The addiction I had did indeed enslave me. Although I knew that it was wrong, it's pull was so strong that I continued in its behaviors. It became a safe place for me, where I could retreat to when things were bad. I didn't get drunk, high or abusive, but I was as addicted as any drug user has ever been. What happened that changed my mind on what I was doing? Simple...Jesus happened. More importantly, knowing Jesus and the man I really was inside. I believe that at the heart of every addiction is our own false belief of who it is we really are. Just because someone abuses alcohol because he feels like he is a failure does not make him so. A drug user may be enslaved to his addiction because he feels as if he has nothing to live for. Again, a false belief.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5: 1 NKJV
A 2014 survey found that 69% of Christian men admitted to viewing pornography at least once a week. For me it was a staggering statistic. For any pastor it should be a warning sign that he is not doing his job! How do I come to this assumption? The same way I came to the moment that I realized that what I was enslaved to was not who I really was. There are no better ways for new addicts to be introduced to their addictions than through feelings of inadequacy. How many alcoholics and drug users are out there among us who simply have a low opinion of themselves. I get it, I've been there. When I dabbled in pornography, there was nobody there to remind me of how bad of a person I was. However, as I found out, that feeling is momentary. As the effects of our drug of choice wear off, we're back once again to the reality we try so hard to avoid. But I would like to introduce you to the reality which you may have never heard of. A reality which I'm almost certain your pastor has never introduced you to. That is our reality in Christ Jesus. Those who know my own story know that my epiphany moment came a few years back as I was about to enter yet another strip club here in Portland. It was like I'd done so many times before. But this time was different. This time as I reached the door, something within me began to speak to me. That message was, "This isn't the man who you are." I have zero doubt that Jesus chose that moment to introduce Himself to me. Yes, I knew who Jesus was, just not in a personal way. So, if I wasn't this guy who walked into strip clubs and watched pornography, who was I? Well, a good Christian friend helped me with that one. I was now on a journey which the apostle Paul referred to as the "Mystery among the Gentiles" {Colossians 1:27}. It is Paul who introduces us to who we truly are in Gods eyes. When God looks upon us, He sees His one and only Son. For it is Christ who now lives through us {Galatians 2:20}. Can Jesus be enslaved to a addiction? Absolutely. However, once we realize who it is we truly are inside we start down the path of not only knowing Jesus better, but ourselves as well.
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1: 27 NKJV
~Scott~
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