Having an addictive personality is something I have personally and secondarily experienced much in my life. What I mean by “addictive personality” is a person becomes obsessed with an action that it consumes everything they do. Think of the extremes of this type of obsession can drive a person: drug addiction, alcohol addiction, sexual addiction. These actions in and of themselves have an addictive quality that is difficult to tame, especially without the indwelling support of the Holy Spirit we Christians enjoy (and all too often take advantage of). But this addiction is heightened when we become completely consumed by the actions we enjoy. Think of smoking, eating, playing games, being on the internet or TV. I’m not an advocate for casual smoking, but when we enjoy these activities with respect to an eternal vision of our existence on this earth, these activities can be OK. When left to our own devices and lusts (I attest with personal experience), even the most seemingly harmful activity can be life-consuming. I have problems with anger, pornography, time-wasting, and other inconsistencies. When we don’t bring every thought and action of everyday life under the power and influence of Christ and His Word, we will be consumed by our lusts and it will eventually harm us.
My mother-in-law recently decided to give up smoking—for good. Thru much loving pressure from her daughter (my wife) and conviction from the Holy Spirit, she realized that it was wrong for her to use smoking as a “stress reliever” as opposed to relying on Christ to help her deal with her life’s pressures and cares. Not to mention being controlled by a harmful and ungodly substance. She had the biggest first victory shortly after she quit. When she was getting in her car (as we are all creatures of habits), she immediately reached for her cigarettes. The victory came when she realized she needed to replace that habit with something godly instead of something ungodly! The addictive personality still exists, but the only thing we’re allowed as Christians to be addicted to is Christ and God’s Word—NOTHING ELSE! If she replaces her habit with anything—coffee, gum, candy, soda, etc.—she immediately fails to have victory over her addictive personality. The only way to beat it is to rely on Christ to help you deal with and overcome every little temptation that comes along throughout the day. Confess it to Him and repent of it every time it rears its ugly head. Rely on the Power that created the universe to help you!! It works! Ephesians 4: 17-32.
Friday, September 19, 2008
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