Addictions
Any kind of addictions is bad.
As much as we know how being addicted to drugs is so bad
we should start realizing that addiction to pornography is equally as bad,
same goes to addictions to masturbation, sex (even within a marriage context), television drama series, a relationship with a particular person and the list goes on.
Addiction is when pleasure could not be fulfilled unless that certain addicted act is performed.
and more often than not, this leads to a compulsive reoccurring phenomena.
Give for example,
When you are addicted to watching a drama series, even though you are tired and have plenty of more important things to do, you're still glued towards the screen and cannot seem to get enough of it. You don't sleep at regular hours, you fail in your duty as a student/worker/parent, simply just doing that one thing you are addicted to.
and when this happens, your conscience will kick in to tell you that you have gone overboard with this particular thing. More likely than not, you will ignore your conscience and that is the start of the downward spiral.
The more you ignore your conscience (Holy Spirit works through your conscience too), the more numb you are to its reminders.
Bottom line, anything that is addictive and compulsive is not healthy, it will ruin your life and it is not from God.
Because you are replacing that activity/person (these Idols) with what's more important (your real life) and of course it definitely replaces the utmost important- God & time with God.
However, God has given hope to us in this :
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Therefore, my dear friends, FLEE from idolatry(addictions)."
As much as we know how being addicted to drugs is so bad
we should start realizing that addiction to pornography is equally as bad,
same goes to addictions to masturbation, sex (even within a marriage context), television drama series, a relationship with a particular person and the list goes on.
Addiction is when pleasure could not be fulfilled unless that certain addicted act is performed.
and more often than not, this leads to a compulsive reoccurring phenomena.
Give for example,
When you are addicted to watching a drama series, even though you are tired and have plenty of more important things to do, you're still glued towards the screen and cannot seem to get enough of it. You don't sleep at regular hours, you fail in your duty as a student/worker/parent, simply just doing that one thing you are addicted to.
and when this happens, your conscience will kick in to tell you that you have gone overboard with this particular thing. More likely than not, you will ignore your conscience and that is the start of the downward spiral.
The more you ignore your conscience (Holy Spirit works through your conscience too), the more numb you are to its reminders.
Bottom line, anything that is addictive and compulsive is not healthy, it will ruin your life and it is not from God.
Because you are replacing that activity/person (these Idols) with what's more important (your real life) and of course it definitely replaces the utmost important- God & time with God.
However, God has given hope to us in this :
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Therefore, my dear friends, FLEE from idolatry(addictions)."
1 Corinthians 10:13-14
Before you even get into any addictions, FLEE from it.
Before you get more uncontrollable with what you're currently doing, stop it and FLEE.
Stop saying you can't do it, because God has provided a way out with every temptation that comes your way.
Keep your guard high and keep your way pure.
Do NOT Give In to things which are not from the Lord.
Ways to overcome addictions:
1. Keep a journal
2. Talk to a friend (accountability partner)- keep check on one another
3. When the temptation comes, get up, get out and go do something else
4. Praying unceasingly at that particular point of time and remembering that God is looking at you and wishing deeply that you will not Hurt Him again with your actions. He is hurt.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
RESIST! Again I say, Resist!
I couldn't emphasize enough on the high value on being self-controlled, especially in this current age.
"It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, " Titus 2:12
Finally,
ASK FROM THE LORD.
PRAY.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
For He is the Ultimate Overcomer!
very wise words
ReplyDelete-Wini