February 6, 2015
“For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.” – Romans 7:5-6
You are an addict, as am I. It’s
so common for us to look at those who have chemical dependencies and comment on
their addictions without taking a good look at our own lives. Consider the definition of addiction: the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming. We think of those addicted to narcotics,
alcohol, caffeine and nicotine. We watch
as lives are destroyed and commit to pray for them to be released from their
bondage. Time after time we comment that
this person or that person needs help, they need to be in rehab.
Certainly, these examples of abuse and addictions are harmful to the person’s body, their mind and will shorten their lives; but are they overall more destructive than my addictions? You see, we all are bound by something in this world. For some it’s money, for some it’s work, for some it’s power/authority, for some it’s sex, and for some it’s even technology. The list is endless as to what each of you may be addicted to, but I assure you it is real, and it is destructive as well.
Addictions represent that thing which we are bound by and that which we find difficult to turn from. The action which takes place is a habitual as that of someone who smokes or drinks and can’t bring themselves to stop. Take a few examples into consideration. Could you stop using your cellphone? Could you quit your job and find one that paid less, but offered you more family time and freedom in life? Could you trade in your newer shiny car and buy an old beat up clunker to drive to and from work? Could you give up television? Are you one of the 67% of online users that search for pornography at least once a week?
The reality is that we are all bound by worldly things. Yes, some are bound by drugs and alcohol, but I propose that your addiction and my addiction to love, lust, money, things and entertainment is just as dangerous. Perhaps not in the physical harm to your body, but in the emotional and spiritual effect. When we abide in the world we are not abiding in Him. You cannot do both. You are either living for yourself or you are living for God. There is no middle on this. Our flesh wants pleasure and for our personal desires to be met. Our spirit wants to commune with God in everything we do. The battleground is within your own mind and you alone have to choose the outcome. Sincerely take the time to evaluate how you are spending your time, what are you bound by and are you giving God the priority He so deserves, or are you focusing on the world’s perspective.
© Sondove Enterprises, 2015
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please email me at Sondove1@yahoo.com
Certainly, these examples of abuse and addictions are harmful to the person’s body, their mind and will shorten their lives; but are they overall more destructive than my addictions? You see, we all are bound by something in this world. For some it’s money, for some it’s work, for some it’s power/authority, for some it’s sex, and for some it’s even technology. The list is endless as to what each of you may be addicted to, but I assure you it is real, and it is destructive as well.
Addictions represent that thing which we are bound by and that which we find difficult to turn from. The action which takes place is a habitual as that of someone who smokes or drinks and can’t bring themselves to stop. Take a few examples into consideration. Could you stop using your cellphone? Could you quit your job and find one that paid less, but offered you more family time and freedom in life? Could you trade in your newer shiny car and buy an old beat up clunker to drive to and from work? Could you give up television? Are you one of the 67% of online users that search for pornography at least once a week?
The reality is that we are all bound by worldly things. Yes, some are bound by drugs and alcohol, but I propose that your addiction and my addiction to love, lust, money, things and entertainment is just as dangerous. Perhaps not in the physical harm to your body, but in the emotional and spiritual effect. When we abide in the world we are not abiding in Him. You cannot do both. You are either living for yourself or you are living for God. There is no middle on this. Our flesh wants pleasure and for our personal desires to be met. Our spirit wants to commune with God in everything we do. The battleground is within your own mind and you alone have to choose the outcome. Sincerely take the time to evaluate how you are spending your time, what are you bound by and are you giving God the priority He so deserves, or are you focusing on the world’s perspective.
© Sondove Enterprises, 2015
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please email me at Sondove1@yahoo.com
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