“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 NIV.
Addiction is the product of attraction, appetite, and repetition.
My comments today are about “practices, habits, and addictions.”
People are subject to addictive behavior. No one plans to surrender control of their life; it just happens before one realizes. Each taste makes you want another and bigger taste, each time requiring a bit more than before to be as satisfied. At first, you choose. Eventually, the option is no longer yours; the choice is imposed from within. Once allowed, addictions are not easy to break. Addiction is a troubling thing.
Some people become adrenalin junkies, tempting a greater danger while seeking a bigger thrill. Alcohol, drugs, sexual pleasure, or greed enslave the unwise. Incorrectly, you might not think of some other things as addictions: anxiety, worry, fear, distrust, doubt, anger, profanity, gossip, and appetites of all kinds. “Whatever you choose to obey becomes your master.” Read Romans 6:16-18 NLT. Anything that you know you shouldn’t do and do anyway, can result in a physical, psychological, emotional, or spiritual addiction. Read Romans 7:14-25 NIV.
Sin is like that. It calls you incessantly, lures you enticingly, and then ensnares you mercilessly. It has proven true that “sin will take you further than you meant to go, cost you more than you can afford to pay, and hold you longer than you knew.” If you will be wise, it’s not difficult to avoid sin. You will not do so by being clever or worldly wise. You will need the wisdom of God which is readily available to you. “Christ Jesus has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30 NKJV.
Some years ago, my dear friend Campbell shared this practical, Godly wisdom with me, “The heart cannot desire what your eye has not seen.” Addiction is the product of attraction, appetite, and repetition. If you never begin a direction you don’t want to go, you will not end at a destination you never expected. If you never indulge a wrong you should not practice, you will never struggle with its bondage. If you never sample the taste, you will not acquire an appetite you were never meant to satisfy.
David prayed, “Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord.” Psalm 19:12-14 NIV. Practices become habits; habits become addictions. Sin has a terrible and inevitable progression – “errors, hidden faults, willful sins, and ultimately great transgression!” Let the Holy Spirit be the arbiter of what’s right and best for you. Even what first appears the smallest of sins is dangerous, devious, and deceiving; avoid such at all costs. Read Titus 3:3-8 NIV. “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 NIV.
In stark contrast, the Bible commends an addiction that is recommended and profitable. “The house of Stephanas . . have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 16:15 KJV. Let your habitual behavior be to serve and edify others.
Today, I pray for you to keep your heart far from sin’s desires and practice.
Christian Communications
