Variables

Looking at a very deep spiritual life with Christ is a daunting endeavor and filled with variables.  You need to strip away anything that doesn't magnify the message that He gives you.  You need to remove all aspects of the world in order to increase the depth of the relationship that He so desires.  You need to understand that when He calls you that there can be no hesitation in your step, no pondering whether it is worth the risk.  When you speak, you must be in full adherence to the doctrine and teachings in the Bible.

Titus 2:1 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

Avoiding that commission, teaching anything that is false, and trying to steer clear of a single truth is only a path that leads you away from that relationship with Christ. 

The hardest thing in the world is to say yes to a truth, something that will drag you through pain and hardship, but the reward is so much greater when you surrender to that truth, all the while walking away from those things that will trap you in the past. 

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Relief

Relief from our personal destructive behaviours only comes after we hit a wall and simply can't do this any longer.  The reasons behind the wall is God giving us the opportunity to stop and look at ourself and see just what we look like to others.  It's not a mean thing, it's just a glimpse of what we need to do next.

Galatians 5:17  For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

This is the reason we run into trouble when we are doing things and keeping God at a distance.  When we live like hell and want to do that, then God steps out of the way so we can enjoy ourself . . . .but . . . do we really enjoy the outcome?   If so, then why do we need relief to begin with?

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Truth

Truth they say is completely of your own making, it's something you devise to suit your own purposes. In reality, that is the world's view as the real truth that is hidden in the Bible has far reaching effects into our life and our interactions with others.

However, there are a lot of perspectives on whether the Bible is true and accurate, or is it just a book written by old men with nothing else to do and trying to manipulate us?  Some think the Old Testament and New Testament have no correlation with each other.

Psalm 80:17  Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself.

The Old Testament carries with it all of the descriptions for the New Testament, just as the whole Bible carries with it the description that our life could take should we make the effort to follow it, or just continue on our merry way and hope that the Bible is not true.

But . . . . what if it is true, right down to the last letter?  Where will we be then if we continue on our merry way?

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Trickery

Have you ever been forced into a tricky situation where you have no options but to do the evil plots presented to you?  It's either do it or face the consequences and the consequences are dire.  What would you do?  Would you give in under the pressure, would you try and negotiate a way out?  Would you run or fight back?

Those are not easy answers to some tough questions especially if you are trapped in a place where you will lose everything.  We can all say that we would stand up for ourself if it has never happened to us, but would we really?

These are the trials in life that can lead to compulsive and addictive behaviours.  These are the sticky situations that can just be enough to allow us to break down and fall into a bad habit.  Keeping your faith is the only thing you can do when nothing else seems like its going to work out.

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

This is the other alternative to falling into a substance abuse problem.

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Accuracy

Accuracy is one of the things that is so easily forgotten about or missed all together in the heat of a confrontation  and we sometimes blurt out misconceptions or even lies when we are put on the spot.  We some times encounter the well of resentment rising up in us when we feel the least bit slighted or challenged in the image of our self.  We can even get agitated and very aggressive when talking about religion!

If you feel that you are bested or corrected when ever you try to share the word of God and feel like giving up, then the only thing you can do is just keep doing it.  God loves our determination and cares much less about our mistakes.

Phil 1:18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Last time I looked in the Bible, I didn't read anything about Jesus condemning people for saying the wrong thing, but I have read about him encouraging everyone to just do it.  Besides if you're talking about Jesus then you're not really focusing on your problems.

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Consistent

It's nice to know that when you are experiencing hard times and you turn around to see someone who has your back, someone you never knew was there but was brushing aside deceitful work raged against you and stamping out flaming arrows aimed at your back.  Someone who consistently has your better interests in focus and can see your future and knows the full plan for your life.

Psalm 5:11  But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

When you are living a pure and clean life and show your commitment to God and then put your complete trust in that premise, it releases you to do your best work.  Just knowing that expands your thinking capacity because now you don't have to worry about anything except what your good at. 

It's true: your creativity, freedom of thought, and your love of God all expand with the more He gives you.

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Plateau

Whenever something doesn't go our way we can assume it is defeat, but in reality it is just a change in our direction.  Our plans morph over time as we live our life and most times we don't even notice the change.  Or maybe we do and think everything will be fine.  Then the bottom falls out of our world and we are devastated.  At least that's our view....

But it's just a plateau!  God sees the whole picture of our life and knows when it's time for us to move on.  To grow in our thinking, expand our small world, meet new people, & experience greater things.  If we can't stand change, then it can be tough to take, and if we don't know God then it can be hell.

Psalm 71:14 "As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."

A series of unfortunate events is not a curse and certainly no reason to fall off the rails into addictive and compulsive behaviours.  It's simply designed to get us off the plateau and onto greater and higher  things.  But more importantly, to teach us how to stay secure with God.

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Preaching

It's hard to listen to someone who appears to be preaching directly at you or down to you and making you feel guilty.  It's easier to criticize them and avoid them than it is to actually listen to them.  To be fair there are people who beat you with the teachings in the Bible or any other religion for that matter, but if you are even slightly offended at the mention of what's right and wrong then maybe it's not the teacher!!  Maybe it's your conscience talking to you?  Maybe you don't realize you're breaking the law.  That's why we get speeding tickets.

Romans 7:7  What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. 

Well ... maybe you don't want to change and listen to rules, or maybe you're just not used to listening to rules and you're always making your own way in life?  People break Biblical laws and still go to Heaven but your reward is much smaller when you get there.  The fundamental difference is this: 

1. you can live like hell on Earth right now and maybe you'll get to Heaven v/s
2. following the rules now and see how BIG your reward is when you DO get to Heaven! 

The Bible also says that you're simply giving in to temptation and you are receiving your reward right now and none later!

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Sorrow

If you think about it, sorrow is really only in our mind.  Other people have sorrowful situations that don't really affect us, particularly if we aren't aware of them or their problems.  The only time other peoples sorrow effects us is when we are personally connected to them in some fashion.   We are sorrowful when things don't work out the way we planned which is regret, as well, we hurt when people we love are hurt which is sorrow!  Regret is internal and sorrow should be external!

A two edged sword is sorrow!  The worlds interpretation with no God in it is sooo focused on self that sorrow can overtake us if we are ignorant to its effects.  Our sorrow can be from things we have done or we let others do to us.  The only way we can keep sorrow from consuming us is to face it head on and put it in perspective.  The Bible is clear on how to do that.

2 Corinthians 7:10  "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."

That makes it pretty clear!  Empathy for others aside, personal sorrow is a weakness in our thinking and regret means we are aware of it.

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The Start

A defining point in a person life where you have finally had enough of the supposed better life, one of addictive and compulsive behaviours, where you do things out of anger, revenge, gaslighting, theft, sex, substance abuse and the list goes on. 

This is the point when life starts to improve, you sleep much better, not looking over your shoulder, mealtimes with friends and family, relaxing and having fun during the evenings instead of a dark sinister lifestyle.  The greatest thing is your past is forgiven completely and you have a new start from today.

Ezekiel 33:12   If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person’s former wickedness will not bring condemnation.

When people fall back into a debaucherous lifestyle you are also given a brand new start, but in the wrong direction!  The whole point of living free from all those things, is to avoid them.

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Gaslighting

Ever worked with someone who found fault with everything you did?  Tried to condense you and your efforts into a smaller container?  You are the victim of something called gaslighting!  If every addict was to look deep into their history they would probably find traces of this behaviour that was manipulating them due to their open honest lifestyle.

People with little sense of a societal norm prey on the unsuspecting as it bolsters their confidence that they are truly in control of their ever-so-small world.  In reality, they are small children in big people shoes.  School yard bullies!  The Bible tells us about them in:

2 Peter 2:9 ...the Lord knows how to rescue the Godly from trials, and hold the unrighteous accountable... NIV

Realizing that gives the open and honest person who may have compulsive or addictive behaviours the power of knowledge to defeat those who try to impose their compulsive and addictive behaviours on you.  You are no longer the victim of a victim.

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Consistency

Being consistent in our thoughts and actions can be a challenge with our life the way it is right now.  Not knowing that consistency is an important building block in a person's life is one thing, but when you mix shady or questionable behaviour with that confusion, then all hell breaks loose.  There's suddenly no standard, every day is a new concoction of other people's control over our life.  Addictive and compulsive behaviours start and can completely control us .  Then every unstable thing you do becomes your new personality, and people question your validity.

Colossians 1:21  Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— ²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

When you give your life and all it's quandaries over to Jesus Christ, He sorts out the trash from you and your most valuable attributes.  Our mind is washed clean of our past and He polishes our best features.  Now the biggest concern is for us to avoid the detriments of the past and stay grounded in the word of God.

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Rebellion

Causes us to be taken captive by the negative things we let into our life.  Why do we keep having problems in our life over and over again?  Without God, we have to willfully not do the crazy things we do and constantly fall back into it.  With God's help we give it away and He takes it from us...buuttt... occasionally we choose to go back to the filth we left.  We are supposed to live guilt free once He takes our sinful behaviours away.

Ezekiel 21:24   “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Because you people have brought to mind your guilt by your open rebellion, revealing your sins in all that you do—because you have done this, you will be taken captive.

Captive by our habits and others who are stronger in their sins than we are in our resistance of it.  That's why we need God in our life. 

Think about how small our stupid habit would look to God who created the world!

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Stumble

Everyone trips up at some point, makes huge mistakes, or goes against wise council.  We then have to pay the price!!  This is especially true with compulsive or addictive behaviors. Slipping back into questionable habits and relationships.  We need to separate ourself from addictive behaviors first.

When you put the trust of your life in the hands of someone who genuinely cares about you, and wants the absolute best for you, life becomes far easier to live.  Just think, if you knew someone like that how relieved you would be.  Someone who could basically snap their fingers and your problems would go away, or at the very least turn your problems into something so small that you forget about them.  His name is Jesus Christ and He is willing to do that for everyone who comes to Him...yes even the worst offenders.

Psalm 37:23-24 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; ²⁴ though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Ask Jesus into your life to lead you.  Try it...I dare you!

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Wandering

Like trying to find something in the dark, we wander through life without direction.  We don't know what's right for us and if we don't spend time looking & studying for it, then anything that comes along becomes acceptable.  This is how addictive and compulsive behaviors start, and really bad habits.

1 Corinthians 10:23  “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.

The Bible gives us guidelines to follow and the commandments are there to steer us in a more positive direction.  Simply being disobedient and ignoring them means we have made the choice that we know better, based on our limited perspective of the world as we see it.  Addictive & compulsive behaviors can be changed, but when talking about Heaven & hell, mistakes made based on ignorance in this case would be irreversible. 

Pray for the wisdom to see the differences. . .

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Restoration

We can walk around blinded to the truth in all situations if we are willing to avoid anything that resembles the truth.  If we are afraid to even approach revealing our weaknesses, then darkness is our comfort, because we avoid the light.  Concealing the truth is simply lying, as avoiding healing is simply lying.  Living in darkness is living the lie.

Acts 9:18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, ¹⁹ and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Finally realizing that most of our actions are based on living the lie, is when the light of the truth starts to creep in.  It can be emotionally painful, but when the light of God becomes greater, than the darkness we surrender to in every situation, is when we are truly released.

Suddenly joy replaces gloom and our smile becomes more genuine.

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Action

You can tell when someone has finally decided to stop a life of addictive and compulsive behaviours, of lying, cheating, stealing, drug and alcohol use.  Their demeanor changes, the facial expressions are softer, verbage is not so demonic, and they are absent from the usual places you would find them.

You can say through your own determination that you are done with that lifestyle, but it's always in your view and you're are always on edge.  It shows in your brow, words, and your actions, that it is ever so close to you still.  Fighting that behaviour with all your might!! 

James 2:17  "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead".

There is an easier way.  Truly releasing that lifestyle and being free from the magnetic draw of its attraction can be easy, but only if you release your control over life.  Think back to a time when you were stressed about a task and someone with knowledge about it came and did it for you, and how relieved you were after.

Giving your life to Jesus is just like that, except He will fix your problems for you, if you choose to turn away from them.

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Trickery

Being tricked does not feel good, but truth be told, every person with a bad habit, hang-up, or addiction, is being tricked daily, hourly, minute by minute.  That's what keeps you doing what you are doing.  If you hate your disorder then you are believing the lie that is keeping you there.

Maybe you don't believe you're worth anything, or you think your habit is actually good for you, or you can't see a way out, or you've given up trying, Jesus Christ thinks you are cool but just a bit messed up right now.  Whatever the reason you have, it is the perfect lie that you are continuing to believe.  God deals harshly with lies, but also heals those afflicted by them.

3 John 11  ".....Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."

Making a physical choice to step out of your situation and step toward God is a solid first choice and a big one, especially if you can't trust anyone.  Despite what others say, God would much rather see you healed His way, rather than you to see you perish your way.

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Moment

It only takes a moment to make a mistake.  Emotional, addictive, or compulsive moments in our life have the power to destroy people or our self, but it also has the power to build people up.  When we stop and think before we act or speak out, every time we say no to an addictive habit, and every time we analyze the reasons for the compulsive behaviour, we win.  The other people around us also win by seeing that they matter to us because we chose to curb our weakness for them.

Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

It might seem trivial to us, but to others its an act of compassion, that shows genuine spirit in us. Compassion is not something the world gives easily, and we are suspicious to receive it for fear of manipulation, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

What can go wrong if all we do is emulate Christ, or should I say lets see what goes right when we try?

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Perspective

Is your glass half full or half empty?  Life's situations are much the same.  Are you half way to Heaven, or half way to hell?  Or do you care?

Sometimes we see our life as how bad we are and how much better we could be.  This is fine as long as we don't beat ourself up in the process.  You are in your place in life because God put you there for reasons unknown to you.  Being hard on yourself only leads to depressive thoughts and is an open invitation to addictive and compulsive behaviours.  If we can't trust anyone, then we have to trust God because we will fail miserably on our own..

 

Psalm 143:7-8  "Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."

 

Putting your complete trust in Jesus Christ allows you to know that somebody has your back, and as long as you stay true to God and not blame Him for negative things in your life, then He will guide your steps and keep you from harm.