Winning The War
You know, I was thinking. Pastor Hawkin's post from yesterday has inspired me this morning. I have been giving a lot of thought to this thing that we call battle. Many times you hear Christians talking about the battles they are going through. Now, I for one have been involved in those conversations and have even initiated them. But this thought hit me this morning "it's not about the battle, it's about the war." Now I know that it might sound like I am making less of the battles that we face everyday but let me assure you that I am not. Let me share some scripture from Romans chapter 7:21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
You see the battles that we face are just part of the bigger war that is being waged right inside our very own minds. Because we have a nature that is drawn to sin and we have a Spirit living within us that is drawn toward God, we have a war that is being waged on the battle ground of our soul. It is no wonder that we find ourselves engaged in battle after battle after battle.... As long as there is breath in our lungs and our eyes are set on doing God's will we will always find outselves in conflict. The war will rage on as long as there is life in our bodies. The good news is that the war can be won! In Romans chapter 8 Paul also writes:
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
You see we don't have to be a slave to anything except Jesus. Most of you who know me are very well aware of my gambling addiction. God has set me free from this but only after many battles have been fought. Please understand that I am not claiming that I am cured but that I have been set free from it. What's the difference? I don't desire it! If I were to even set down and place one bet, I would be right back into that dark world again. Jesus has taken away the desire to go and gamble. He has also given me the wisdom to know that I must not allow myself to place even a single bet. That is freedom folks.
Pastor Tom's post specifically talked about the devistation surrounding addiction to pornography. I cannot spell it out any better than he did but let me say this. If you find yourself caught up in any kind of addiction at all seek help immediately. I know that there is more help out there than you could even imagine. If you don't know what to do, call a brother or sister in the Lord. Call Tom or call me. Call somebody that is going to help you get the help you need to not just fight the battle but to win the war. Be blessed beyond belief today.
posted by Doug E. Pudge @ 7:26 AM
7 Comments:
As does yours my brother! God will not leave us abandoned as orphans. He gave us one another to help win this war. B4T
I feel that becoming "addicted to Jesus" can be dangerous.
My sister was addicted to church, the bible, and God. Her steadfast addiction allowed her to be blinded against the atrocities that were being performed by her husband on their children, as wel las herself. Her addiction led her to believe that God would fix everything. She dove deeper into her addiction to escape the horrors of her home, burying herself in the church and in "godly works".
I think had see a fellowship with God, instead of an addiction to Him, things may have turned out different.
I know what you meant by your "addiction to God" comment, Pastor Tom. But, I thought knowing what a true, blind addiction to faith sans true fellowship with God can cause would be appropriate here.
Addiction of any sort is destructive. It will blind your eyes to reality, close your mind to new ideas, and harden your heart against those who seek to help.
In my heart, I do not beleive God wants us to become "addicted" to Him.
On aside note, Bruce has notified me a sermon is on your church website about forgiveness. The topic we all dicussed in Pudge's blog here a couple weeks back. I will listen to it when I get a chance.
Raivynn, I do understand where you are coming from. I do understand why you feel this way but there is a distinct difference in becoming addicted to a church, a work or even the bible and being addicted to Jesus. One who is addicted to the Savior does not blindly accept what the world is throwing at them, but through the power that is given to us by God through the Holy Spirit we go out and change the world around us. Some people bury their heads in the sand in the name of religion, a church or a work because they think that it is what God has asked us to do. Loving like the Savior does not mean to accept everything just as it is. Jesus sure didn't! He set the world on end.
Basically, what I am saying is that this war that is going on within ourselves cannot be overcome by anything but a strong faith in Jesus. My pastor has referred to that as the only acceptable addiction that there is and I just happen to agree with him. Take it from someone who just about through their life away in casinos and found his way back.
Thank you for not just "accepting" things at face value. I like a well worded difference of opinion, it keeps me sharp. B4T
Oh, I basically agree with you. And, I also pointed out I understood what Pastor Tom meant. I just wanted to point out what you stated ... about burying your head and blindly accepting things just because you are Christian.
And, trust me when I say this, I will call you on points of theology I see differently, or do not understand. ~.^
Sorta my way of not being blinded or burying my head. I like to seek new views and learn new things. It's why I hang out with you guys on the blogs .. well, that and you guys are pretty cool, too. heh
Thanks Raivynn. I like your approach to things. It is NEVER good to just accept things but to look at them with an open mind. As I said before, you are keeping me sharp. I like you hanging out with us too! Considering that you're a friend of Bruiser's you're pretty cool too. B4T
I love the Raivyns of this world! They are why I am where I am at today!
Great commentary, today. Now I have to go read Pastor Thomas' blog!
Post a Comment
<< Home