No trial has taken you except what is human. Now, faithful is God, Who will not be leading you to be tried above what you are able, but, together with the trial, will be making the sequel also, to enable you to undergo it
Paul to the Corinthians (1) 10: 13, Concordant New Testament
I was reading the other day that almost 21 million Americans suffer from some sort of addiction of one form or another. Of course, this is just in our nation alone, The rest of the world, I'm sure, is higher. I was reminded once again this week of the ravages of a substance abuse as I watched a brother of mine continue to endure that which enslaves him. I do not use the slavery reference here lightly, for I myself have been bound by the chains of addiction in my life. My own demons were not of the substance nature, but were destructive to me nonetheless. Step into any mainstream church and you will surely find some small group which has been dedicated to the recovery of substance abuse. Usually, but not always, there are twelve steps involved in this process. I recall a grief recovery class which I reluctantly started attending just after my mother passed away. I also recall the mainstream church narrative being the same as an alcoholics anonymous meeting. Hi, my name is Scott, and I'm in grief. I spent maybe three weeks in this environment before I'd had my fill of the same old institutional song and dance. Although I was hurting, I also knew that the battle I was fighting was one of my mind above all else. I suggest that this is the same battle many who suffer from addiction now face, including my friend. The apostle Paul speaks to the truth of our being set free in Christ. Paul encourages us to "Not submit again to a yoke of slavery" {Paul to the Galatians 5:1}. Now, in this instance I believe that Paul was referring to the yoke of sin, but in my opinion, he could just as well have been speaking to the slavery of addiction. Many people have referred to addiction as those "Bonds" that bind them emotionally and physically. Trust me, I've been in those shoes. I can relate to the struggles which my brother now faces, to a point. My own addictions to food and pornography, although destructive, did not take the toll on my life which my brothers burdens are taking on him. The conscious mind is a very powerful thing, as are the lies of the accuser.
Now each one is undergoing trial when he is drawn away and lured by his own desire
James to the Twelve Tribes 1: 14, Concordant New Testament
James, the brother of our Lord Jesus, speaks to trials begin when one is "Drawn away and lured by his own desire" {James to the Twelve Tribes 1:14}. I desired the images of pornography. My friend desired the taste and feeling of alcohol. There is no mistake that the instructions of the Lord God have been imprinted upon our hearts {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 3:3}. Some refer to this as our conscience. It is my opinion that God, our creator, has instilled within us His instructions. Therefore, we have that ability to perceive right and wrong. The lie spoken by the accuser in the garden enticed Adam and Eve to partake of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil {Genesis 3:1-6}. It is the Father who declared "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil" {Genesis 3:22}. Therefore, we know what is right and what is wrong. I knew that pornography was the wrong image of Gods creation, but it felt good. In my mind, I was thinking and acting outside of the truth of the Father. That truth is that my life is not my own, but that I live my life in Him {Johns Account 14:20}. This is what makes the yoke of addiction a war of our mind more than anything else. I was able to refrain from pornography, but my mind, still lost in the lie that I was independent, resisted. I know in my heart that my brother knows the truth of who he really is in the Fathers eyes. It's the realization I came to myself in the midst of my own addiction. My prayer is that his eyes will be opened to all which the Father desires to show him.
~Scott~
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