WEEK 35

CHRISTIANITY AND ADDICTIONS

It is a sad truth that Christians are under a microscope, awaiting the ridicule of those around us. We have criticism and disdain of the public for failing. It seems that the world waits to kill a Christian when he or she falls or fails. The devil has set it up that way. We fear the stigma surrounding us as addicts because more demands are placed on Christians’ lives.

The old adage that Christians are not perfect--just forgiven--no longer works. As a Christian, I have experienced the self-inflicted wounds. I have beaten myself up to the point of being suicidal. I have felt ostracized as result of past relapses. Many were the results of my own delusional thinking, though some were not. I have also felt the sting of other “so- called Christians false compassion.” Any way we look at it, God has called us to a life like that of Christ.

I can think of one person who was born to serve the Lord although he suffered from sexual addiction. This is Samson, who incurred greatness. I tell this story because my mother used to call me her little Samson when I became a Christian.

“The Angel of the Lord appeared to a childless Jewish couple, announcing that they were to have a son. Samson would be his name and he was to be a Nazarite, “one separated unto God.” Two of the components of his special vow of consecration required him to abstain from drinking wine and cutting his hair. However, these were mere outward signs of the sanctified inward life he was to maintain with God. This special child, if he were to fulfill his calling as Jehovah’s champion, must keep himself pure before the Lord.

Unfortunately, Samson treated his special call with disdain. While faithfully maintaining the outward requirements of the Nazarite vow, his inside world was wildly out of control. Though especially called of God,

Samson’s life bore little resemblance to the lives of other O.T. “heroes of the faith,” such as Moses, Joshua, Joseph or Daniel.

Rather than displaying a zeal for the house of God, he allowed his sensual passions to run riot. Instead of leading Israel to mighty victories against the Lord’s enemies, he continually acted in his own self-interests. Lacking the holy fervor that inflamed the righteous indignation of all true men of God, his exploits were always motivated by vengeance and pride. In short, Samson’s life was one long story of epic self-indulgence.

It wasn’t that Samson didn’t have a sincere affection for Jehovah; I’m sure he did. He undoubtedly loved his country and wanted to help. He didn’t voice an outright disdain for God’s call on his life; nevertheless he was unwilling to embrace the responsibility that accompanied it. With only a superficial devotion to the Lord and a merely outward consecration, Samson eventually became easy prey for the enemy.

Samson’s life ended tragically, as a slave in a Gazan prison. However, the final chapter of this saga began when, driven by curiosity and lust, he sought out the forbidden—a Philistine woman. For the sexual sinner, one of the strongest motivations to sin is lust for the forbidden.

“One of the most captivating features of illicit sex is its forbidden nature.  Seemingly, the more forbidden it is, the more alluring it tends to be. This is one reason why a married Christian man addicted to sex feels the need to be with other women. He is not supposed to. It is “off-limits.” Thus, for the Christian who feels pressured to live a righteous life and is constantly struggling to resist the demands of his flesh, it can be overwhelmingly irresistible because of this. Desiring that which is forbidden is part of man’s fallen nature. Just try leaving a four-year old alone in a room with a box that he has been told not to open!”

Samson craved the forbidden fruit of heathen women. In a bizarre way, his hatred and fear of the Philistines only served to fuel his lust for their women. Driven by his insatiable sexual cravings, he indulged himself more and more. Eventually, through a series of poor choices, he found himself inexorably enslaved to his passions. As is always the case with sexual addicts, he would do well for a period of time, but eventually, the delicious enticements of Gaza would overwhelm his best intentions. Before he knew it, he would find himself back on the road to Philistia. It was inevitable that he would one day end up in the lap of Delila.

Samson’s life ended tragically as a result of his sins. He was to be one of Gods heroes but he could not live the life God called him to. He was granted one last wish. And with that was the end of his life and the life of those that enslaved him. Understand one thing our life will end with tragedy if we allow for the seduction of the world. Unlike Samson end we do not have to end that way.

Though we are called to holiness as a Christian, God also calls us to repentance. Repentance is simply turning back the other way. The further we move away form God, the further He will go to get us back. The key is that we turn back to Him.

One of the biggest problems that I have seen and experienced myself is condemnation. We condemn ourselves and close up to God. Even after I have confessed my sins to God, my wife and others, I still seek forgiveness and feel guilty. I still have times that I cannot forgive myself. For some reason, I feel I need to punish myself more to eliminate guilt. On some level I believe that I must feel guilty and punish myself to let others know that I am serious about my sins. I know intellectually that this is not right, but emotions and feelings inset themselves.

As a Christian, my experience with addictions has left me with some real and unreal opinions. Before I admitted to my addictions I thought that other Christians were just judgmental. Some were, although others truly were concerned about my behaviors. I was still in denial and was not ready for the truth. I would allow other Christians to become only surface close because of this. The sharp words of others had hurt me. Then again, some of the words were truthful and meant well. I still have to question some people’s motivation, but it is my responsibility to keep it real and not be someone I am not.

The Bible tells us to speak our words in love. “Love”--Wow!”--Wouldn’t it be great if it really were that way all the time? The truth is, even when it is not that way we are still called to be like Christ. I was the one who lost when I stayed away from Church for eight years using the excuse that I did not like attending Church with hypocrites.

At the end of his life, Samson remembered who he was and the life which God had called him. He stood in the midst of the Philistines’ drunken orgy while they were worshiping their pagan god, Dagon. He listened to their blasphemous praises to the demon god. Power once again flowed through Samson’s arms as he braced himself against the temple’s supporting pillars. In one moment, the disgraced Nazirite performed his greatest work for the Israelites, enlivened by a forgiven soul and a regenerated heart.”

We will regain the hope and remember that to which God has called us if we allow His grace to enter our lives. We too can rise victorious, and not be defeated by stigma and our real as well as our unreal inflicted wounds of condemnation.

SCRIPTURES:

Isaiah 29:21
Those who make a man an offender and bring condemnation upon him with a word, and lay a trap for him who upholds justice at the city gate, and thrust aside the innocent and truly righteous with an empty plea.

Matthew 23:14
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you swallow up widows' houses and for a pretense to cover it up make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation and the heavier sentence.

John 8:10-11

Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" No one, sir," she said. Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Acts 2:38
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

Acts 10:43
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Romans 5:16
Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

WHAT ARE THE SCRIPTURES SAYING TO ME ?:

PRAYER:

Lord, help me see the truth about anything that blocks me from having the fullest, most beautiful relationship with you and my fellows. I ask for a special measure of discernment about the underlying causes that drives abuse of “my drug” be it lust, sex, pornography, alcohol, narcotics or food.   Specifically, help me be honest about my own dishonesty.  And grant me the courage to surround myself with Godly people who will speak the truth to me when I can’t see the truth myself.  I ask all these things so that I can be of service to all your children to the end that you will be glorified.

The writer of this prayer seeks to be anonymous