Choices

When Adam took from the woman and ate that which was from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that God had commanded him not to eat, one of the most damaging actions entered into the human race. We see this played out immediately after Adam and the woman ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, "And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3:8) We see that God approached Adam and the woman, but they tried to cover up their sin with fig leaves and then, tried to hide from God. God confronts them with their actions and Adam and the woman respond, "Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:12-13)

Notice, what happened. Adam blamed God for giving him the woman and the woman blamed the serpent, but neither Adam or the woman took the blame for their actions. From the fall of man, sin has opened the door for humanity to place the blame on someone or something, rather than accepting responsibility for their own sinful actions. However, on the other side of the coin, anything that a person does that they deem good in their own eyes, or the eyes of others, they are willing to be responsible for. In other words, they are quick to take the credit for what is good, but, like Adam and the woman, will almost always look to blame someone or something for their sinful or unlawful actions. Again, placing the blame on someone or something for wrongful actions is embedded in the sinful nature of man since the fall. However, it does not excuse us from being responsible for our choices that lead us into sinful actions, especially in God's eyes. That's right! It is our choices, just like Adam and the woman, that are reflected in our actions, but does not remove us from being responsible.

Looking at the situation that we find humanity in today, we see that numerous addictions. Addictions are not tied to drugs or alcohol only, but any substance, thing, activity and or habit that enslaves and seems difficult, even impossible to break free from. Addictions have taken hold of many lives which leave nothing in its path but hurt, destruction and death. Addictions have no bounds and unfortunately, many believers have never been delivered from and continue to struggle with addictions, especially addictions that they had before confessing Jesus as Lord and receiving Him as Savior. However, some believers struggle with addictions that have found their way into their lives even after receiving Christ. No matter what addictions people may have, it should move those of us who are not enslaved in such, to compassion. It should grieve us, to see so many hurting soles, causing us to reach out and help in any way we can. But what is behind addictions? What causes so many people to be held, even controlled, enslaved, by addictions? The Apostle James tells us, "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." (James 1:13-15) 

Though these words may be hard to receive, the truth is, additions are the result of being "drawn away by ones own desires and enticed." Eventually, if left unchecked, if not stopped, the very things that enticed, "gives birth to sin" which opens the door to the devil. What was once a seemingly simple choice, like Adam and the woman, has now become a "full-grown" addiction. Therefore, addictions are not a disease. This is what the world would have everyone come to believe, but, by agreeing with the world, we disagree with God's Word. Saying that addictions are a disease is simply a way to put the blame on something other than ones choice. Addictions may be generational to some respect, but we are still dealing with sin (Numbers 14:18) which addictions are. 

All addictions start out as a choice through ones own desires, in the same manner that the woman chose to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil rather than the tree of life. (Genesis 2:9) Adam also made a choice. His choice was to obey God and not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or to disobey God by choosing to take from the woman and eat. No one forced either one of them to eat, it was simply their choice. Once the choice to sin was made, it opened the door for Satan to do what he does, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..." (John 10:10) Though Adam and the woman blamed someone else for their decision, their action, it did not remove the fact that they made a choice and were now under the influence of Satan. They gave themselves over to their own desires, and like James said, "when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."         

The Apostle Paul tells us, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12) The world does not believe this and unfortunately, many believers do not want to face this fact either, thereby, buying into to the excuses of the world. Let's face it. If one can say, it's not my fault, then they no longer have to be responsible for their choices, because, someone or something else is the blame. Paul warns us, "that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24) and "nor give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27) 

When one begins to entertain a sinful action, no matter what it is, if not stopped and repented of quickly, it opens the door, it gives place, for evil spirits and or demons. Depending on what the sin is, it can lead into an addiction. The Apostle Paul tells us, "Now the works of the flesh are evident..." and then he proceeds to reveal some of the works of the flesh. (Galatians 5:19-21) One of these is, "drunkenness." It is defined as anything that is an intoxicant, which includes alcohol and drugs.

 If you are born again, and are struggling with an addiction, know that God loves you and wants you to be free. (Galatians 5:1) First thing to do is simply, "confess our sins, (to God) He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) I am not saying the road ahead will be easy, but, confessing sin closes the door to Satan, evil spirits and or demon from having place. Depending on the addiction and the length of time that one has been struggling, you also may require some additional help or support to get you through, but first and foremost, ask the Lord for His help. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) God is abundant in mercy and grace. His grace gives us the desire as well as His ability, His strength, His power to do His will. No longer focus on the addiction, on failure or defeat but on the victory that we have in Jesus Christ. Calling out to the Lord for His mercy and grace is not a one time event, but should be a continuous action for all believers.  

If you are not a believer, simply cry out to the Lord to save you (Romans 10:9-10), then continue to cry out to Him as stated above and seek additional support if needed. I am not saying these things to bring guilt or condemnation upon anyone who is struggling with an addiction. What I am saying is, demons are real and sin opens the door in ones life for them to deceive and enslave. We also need to understand, that when one accepts the responsibility of their sinful choices and actions, and confesses such, it opens the door for the Lord to intervene and deliver them. It is the devil, evil spirits and demons that are set out to, "steal and to kill, and to destroy" but Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)      

For every believer who is not struggling with an addiction, let us go be witnesses of God's Kingdom, Power and Glory to those who struggle. Let us be fishers of men. Jesus said, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18) "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12) So, let us go forth and do what Jesus did, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19) "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38) "...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8) 

So, let us go in the Name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit in the grace of God and set the captives free! Jesus said, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:3

It's Not My Fault

When Adam took from the woman and ate that which was from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that God had commanded him not to eat, one of the most damaging actions entered into the human race. We see this played out immediately after Adam and the woman ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, "And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3:8) We see that God approached Adam and the woman, but they tried to cover up their sin with fig leaves and then, tried to hide from God. God confronts them with their actions and Adam and the woman respond, "Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:12-13)

Notice, what happened. Adam blamed God for giving him the woman and the woman blamed the serpent, but neither Adam or the woman took the blame for their actions. From the fall of man, sin has opened the door for humanity to place the blame on someone or something, rather than accepting responsibility for their own sinful actions. However, on the other side of the coin, anything that a person does that they deem good in their own eyes, or the eyes of others, they are willing to be responsible for. In other words, they are quick to take the credit for what is good, but, like Adam and the woman, will almost always look to blame someone or something for their sinful or unlawful actions. Again, placing the blame on someone or something for wrongful actions is embedded in the sinful nature of man since the fall. However, it does not excuse us from being responsible for our choices that lead us into sinful actions, especially in God's eyes. That's right! It is our choices, just like Adam and the woman, that are reflected in our actions, but does not remove us from being responsible.

Looking at the situation that we find humanity in today, we see that numerous addictions have taken hold of many lives which leave nothing in its path but hurt, destruction and death. Addiction is the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice. Addictions have no bounds and unfortunately, many believers have never been delivered from and continue to struggle with addictions, especially addictions that they had before confessing Jesus as Lord and receiving Him as Savior. However, some believers struggle with addictions that have found their way into their lives even after receiving Christ. No matter what additions people may have, it should move those of us who are not enslaved in such, to compassion. It should grieve us, to see so many hurting soles, causing us to reach out and help in any way we can. But what is behind addictions? What causes so many people to be held, even controlled, enslaved, by addictions? The Apostle James tells us, "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." (James 1:13-15) 

Though these words may be hard to receive, the truth is, additions are the result of being "drawn away by ones own desires and enticed." Eventually if left unchecked, if not stopped, the very things that enticed, "gives birth to sin" which opens the door to the devil. What was once a seemingly simple choice, like Adam and the woman, has now become a "full-grown" addiction. Therefore, addictions are not a disease. This is what the world would have everyone come to believe, but, by agreeing with the world, we disagree with God's Word. Saying that addictions are a disease is simply a way to put the blame on something other than ones choice. True, addictions may be generational, we are still dealing with sin (Numbers 14:18) which addictions are. 

All addictions start out as a choice through ones own desires, in the same manner that the woman chose to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil rather than the tree of life. (Genesis 2:9) Adam also made a choice. His choice was to obey God and not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or to disobey God by choosing to take from the woman and eat. No one forced either one of them to eat, it was simply their choice. Once the choice to sin was made, it opened the door for Satan to do what he does, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..." (John 10:10) Though Adam and the woman blamed someone else for their decision, their action, it did not remove the fact that they made a choice and were now under the influence of Satan. They gave themselves over to their own desires, and like James said, "when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."         

The Apostle Paul tells us, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12) The world does not believe this and unfortunately, many believers do not want to face this fact either, thereby, buying into to the excuses of the world. Let's face it. If one can say, it's not my fault, then they no longer have to be responsible for their choices, because, someone or something else is the blame. Paul warns us, "that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24) and "nor give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27) 

When one begins to entertain a sinful action, no matter what it is, if not stopped and repented of quickly, it opens the door, it gives place, for evil spirits and or demons. Depending on what the sin is, it can lead into an addiction. The Apostle Paul tells us, "Now the works of the flesh are evident..." and then he proceeds to reveal some of the works of the flesh. (Galatians 5:19-21) One of these is, "drunkenness." It is defined as anything that is an intoxicant, which includes alcohol and drugs.

 If you are born again, and are struggling with an addiction, know that God loves you and wants you to be free. (Galatians 5:1) First thing to do is simply, "confess our sins, (to God) He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) I am not saying the road ahead will be easy, but, confessing sin closes the door to Satan, evil spirits and or demon from having place. Depending on the addiction and the length of time that you have been struggling, you also may require some additional help or support to get you through, but first and foremost, ask the Lord for His help. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) God is abundant in mercy and grace. His grace gives us the desire as well as His ability, His strength, His power to do His will. No longer focus on the addiction, on failure or defeat but on the victory that we have in Jesus Christ. Calling out to the Lord for His mercy and grace is not a one time event, but should be a continuous action for all believers.  

If you are not a believer, simply cry out to the Lord to save you (Romans 10:9-10), then continue to cry out to Him as stated above and seek additional support if needed. I am not saying these things to bring guilt or condemnation upon anyone who is struggling with an addiction. What I am saying is, demons are real and sin opens the door in ones life for them to deceive and enslave. We also need to understand, that when one accepts the responsibility of their sinful choices and actions, and confesses such, it opens the door for the Lord to intervene and deliver them. It is the devil, evil spirits and demons that are set out to, "steal and to kill, and to destroy" but Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)      

For every believer who is not struggling with an addiction, let us go be witnesses of God's Kingdom, Power and Glory to those who struggle. Let us be fishers of men. Jesus said, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18) "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12) So, let us go forth and do what Jesus did, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19) "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38) "...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8) 

So, let us go in the Name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit in the grace of God and set the captives free! Jesus said, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)