RECOGNIZING ADDICTION

RECOGNIZING ADDICTION

Thursday, March 12, 2020



Exodus MKJV 20:1  And God spoke all these words, saying, I am Jehovah your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.

Revelation 2:1-7 … I know your works and your labor and your patience, and how you cannot bear those who are evil. And you tried those pretending to be apostles, and are not, and have found them liars. And you have borne, and have patience, and for My name's sake you have labored and have not fainted. But I have against you that you left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and will remove your lampstand out of its place unless you repent. …



  It is said that addiction has many forms. For the Christian this is not true. For the believer addiction may have various faces, booze or drugs, bird watching or porn, gorging or grasping, loving lucre and consumerism, gossiping or grandstanding, griping or good works, and many more; but for the believer, addiction is under one heading; idolatry.

  Picture your life as it is: filled with many people and things, Jesus being one in the mix.

  Picture your heart of hearts as being a throne: Who or what is on that throne? Is Jesus The One?

  If not, we should recognize our addiction; idolatry: affection for another god(s). Said affection effecting every aspect of my and your life.

  The Word, though “addiction” was then yet to be a fashionable euphemism, pointed out idolatry in numerous instances.

  To illustrate, and for brevity’s sake, I chose the god of money.

  Jesus knew and associated with several wealthy people. To identify a few: Nicodemus (Jn.19:39), Joseph of Arimathea (Mt.27:57), Zacchaeus (Lk.19:1-10).

  And there was another that remains nameless unto this day, referred to by Jesus only as “a certain ruler”, a rich man that considered himself as one playing by God’s rules. Please note that as in Revelation 2:1-7, Jesus did not criticize commendable good works. He did however, as in Rev.2:1-7, speak to idolatry; first love; that which, by our personal submission, occupies the throne of our heart.

  Hear a word of related testimony in response to yesterday’s DT: “Good Morning Ed. Oh, how I can relate to this message this morning! The old saying, "been there, done that" fits this piece to a "T". The definition of addict in Webster's dictionary----one who is psychologically or physiologically dependent (as on a drug). My personal definition of addition----anything (person, place or thing) that keeps me from fulfilling God's gift in me! It is from my own "thinking" that I have allowed Satan to dance!! It is from my "own" actions and choices … Choices that are from God … must come from our hearts (spirits), where the Holy Spirit does live! Today, I am heart strong, instead of head strong! Knowledge and wisdom go hand in hand. Immaturity, selfishness; idolatry, will only keep Satan happy. Sacrificing, endured pain and suffering, rocky roads and storms are a part of life. How, we as "Christians" apply ourselves to God and others will be the end result of our salvation. Satan is just as real as Jesus! I do not think many people realize this concept and this is huge! It stabs my unconditional heart even thinking about those I love and how continued pain seems to stick around--due to their own choices from their own thinking and ignoring their heart. I will continue planting seeds of Jesus and giving the love I am intended to give, with or without permission! Amen? Yes, Amen. I love you both. Valarie Hall (IA)  PS. I am humbled to be "Addicted" to my father in heaven!”

  I close today’s thoughts with Scripture from one of the Apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy: “… godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is clear that we can carry nothing out. But having food and clothing, we will be content. But they who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which plunge men into destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all evils, of which some having lusted after, they were seduced from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1Tim.6:1-12)

EBB4