Bring It On (A Harsh Reality about Addictive Sin)

by Jim Reynolds⁽¹¹⁾

Bring It On

Why do certain sinful behaviors gain such control over us that they become addictive? How can we, who are Christians!, continue struggling with something that is so vile and guilt-laden as (fill-in-your-own-blank?) How did we get here? If we can find no peace, no victory, are we believers at all? 1 John says if we " practice " sin, we do not know Christ. Furthermore, " He who does what is sinful is of the devil " and " No one who is born of God will continue to sin " -- 1 John 3:4-10. Is our never ending battle evidence we do not belong to Christ, or does the simple fact that we fight assure us we are true soldiers in His army? Again, how did we get here in the first place?

Fair warning: you're not going to like the answer: the undeniable truth is that when we choose the same sinful behavior over and over again, it becomes what the journals call an addiction. If we hadn't chosen it to begin with or would stop constantly choosing it now, it would cease to be addictive. " But Jim, " I hear you complaining, " You don't understand... you don't know the strains I'm under, the pressure. You don't understand that I CAN'T stop. I am addicted and I CAN'T STOP. I can't even choose any more. It's a compulsion. "

That thinking, that mindset, is one of Satan's cruelest deceptions he tempts us with the fruit, condemns us for choosing the fruit he tempted us with, and given enough time, convinces us we need the fruit. How many ways is he defeating us in that progression?!

Assuming we actually want freedom (and many don't, but that's another message) one of our main problems is that we wish something would magically take the compulsion away. Often this hope is bolstered by others' testimonies. We know people -- at least a few -- who have been immediately and miraculously set free from bondages to nicotine, alcohol, and other substances. We hear Biblical teachers who have been released from compulsions to pornography or gambling. So, we clench our eyes a little tighter, grit our teeth a little harder, pray more " fervently, " and when that " miracle cure " appears to be nothing more than snake oil, we fall, again, all the while cursing and questioning.

The painful fact is that, for the most part (yes, there are exceptions) once we allow a sinful behavior to become an addiction, we are stuck in a long-term battle. Notice, I didn't say we can't have victory; I'll show you that later. We are, however, going to have to face down the same enemy over and over again. I base my conviction on several passages of Scripture, but since we've recently been in Judges, let's look there:

The angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, " I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I swore to give to your forefathers. I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you, 2 and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.' Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? 3 Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you " -- Judges 2:1-3 (emphasis mine.)

What a devastating word from God: I set you free to bring you into the Promised Land. I instructed you not to have relationships and make agreements with your enemies. Instead, you are to defeat them and destroy them so they can have no influence over you; choose My victory over the illusion and the deception that you can somehow control your enemies. But you disobeyed Me. Why on earth would you do this? And why did you repeat your rebellion? What is wrong with you? I'm sorry... but you give Me little choice. I will no longer miraculously drive out your enemies; for now, there will be no more Jerichos, no stopping of the sun. You have chosen your idols over Me too many times. Now, they will be continuous trouble for you.

This word from God was not bereft of hope, however. You don't even have to finish the second chapter to find promise. The Lord had " compassion on (His people) as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them " -- Judges 2:18. Every time you fail and repeat the cycle of shame, God's compassion is there; He will not abandon you. His answer comes a few verses later: I will use (My people's enemies) to test them and see whether they will keep the way of the Lord and walk in it. " -- Judges 2:22 .

Here is truth with the power to set some of you free, really free: every temptation is your opportunity for victory. That bears repeating: every temptation is your opportunity for victory. Every temptation, especially your addiction, is a test to see whether you will keep the Lord's way and whether you will " walk WITH Him. " Each one is a test of your love for Him and for others in your life. Stop counting on the " miracle deliverance " of " someday " and fight each battle for the victory Christ already won. Since you have made your sin an addiction by your own choice, God says, " I will USE it to test you and see whether you will keep My way or not. " If we can successfully make that leap of understanding, it takes each temptation out of the realm of " Oh, no, not this again " into the promise of " Bring it on. "

Keep praying, keep hoping for miracles, but in the meantime, each battle can be won. That also bears repeating: each battle CAN be WON! It is possible, of course, that, especially with certain physical addictions, part of that victory would involve professional treatment, but each victory can humiliate and kick in the teeth of the enemy who so brutalizes us from every angle of the process. We're not likely going to come to a place where we welcome the war, but when the latest salvo is fired into our lives, we can face the enemy with the assurance that this is a chance for victory. This is a test; will I or won't I follow my Lord?

There's more to this, but that will have to wait for another time. For now, will you or won't you...

Walk WITH Jesus,

Jim

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Jim Reynolds – John 14:1-6

Copyright September 2009

Article submitted Friday, September 18, 2009 & read 1089 times.

Leave your comments through World Wide Bible Studies:

» left by Teresa (2 years 141 days ago.)

Excellent words Jim, thank you for sharing them here. Blessings to you! Teresa
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» left by Marijo Phelps⁽²⁰⁰⁾ (2 years 140 days ago.)

Thanks so much Jim, for uncovering one of the deceptions of the enemy and how we can give him a foothold. There is victory and freedom and there is reaping and sowing. The Lord pulled me "feet first" out of the bottle - I was totally and completely delivered - but used to drool each time I would see wine in the grocery store. I called out to Him a lot at first and somewhere in there I turned another corner. I no longer drool and have been FREE for 35 years now. Marijo (pronounced Mary Jo)
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» left by Anonymous (2 years 12 days ago.)

Wow. This is wonderful! I've been struggling with addiction for years and keep waiting for that "someday miracle." This article has really opened my eyes to reality. Thank you.
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