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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Have you ever been in bondage by a habit or an addiction? At first we choose to do something like smoke a cigarette, take a little drink of alcohol to ease our distress, play a computer game, do a little chatting on inter-net, indulge in eating when we are frustrated, angry, sad or lonely. Perhaps it involves the way we think, allowing ourselves to fantasize, day dream, or worry. Then one day, we discover we are doing it more and more, until it has become a habit or an addiction. When we talk to others, we rationalize and may say, "Oh, I could stop at any time. It is not really a problem." But when we try to stop, we discover we are in bondage!
The Bible explains to us, that Christ frees us from the bondage of sin. "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." Romans 6:17-18
Sometimes we think this means only that we are now saved and will not go to hell when we die. Somehow we fail to connect it to the "things" that keep us in bondage in our everyday life. We can be free from every sin and every evil habit and addiction. "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32 Verse 36 says, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." Our freedom is totally in Jesus Christ. In verse 31, Jesus says we must continue in His word to know the truth and this truth will bring freedom in all areas of our life.
In Psalm 119:133, David prayed, "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me." The power to overcome habit and addictions is in the word and in knowing and applying Gods truth. You can't know the truth if you never take the time to read and study it.
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, then your life belongs to Him. You also have the indwelling Holy Spirit. Therefore, you can say with Paul, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13 Our Lord wants to live in the His power and have a life that is free in everyway, to serve and bring Him glory.
THOUGHT TO PONDER:What habit or addiction am I bound by? Do you want to be free from it? Are you willing to give it up to the Lord?
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- Sandy Hastings May 13, 2008 |
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