walking as a light through darkness - the addiction series part 1
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Read the starting point to this series here. We will be talking about addiction as non-addicts, who play a vital role as helpers.
You must know before we begin...life is a balancing act. We are comforters one day, only to judge harshly the next. We seek to be perfect and complete, all the while failing. This is okay. Let's not let it get the best of us.
Our mind is called the essential because of the influence it has over behaviors and actions. There are distinct concepts we need to understand in order for the right actions to follow.
- YOU ARE IN THE LIGHT
An addict is in the dark. What does this look like for them?
”For he that walk in darkness know not where he goes.” John 12:35
You are in the light. What does this look like, to you and others?
“And the light shine in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1:5
Simple Breakdown:
1. They are not truly aware that their path leads to death and destruction | John 12:35
2. The light in you presents itself as light regardless of surroundings | John 1:5
3. They don't embrace the path of light | John 1:5
4. Being in the light takes effort | 1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth."
Significant Details:
The addict's mind says that their choice is acceptable: they are refusing the truth. Addicts can be told the truth by thousands and not hear it. They can know the truth in their hearts and not believe it. If we want to be help, we must stop telling addicts they are destroying their lives. They know, we know, everyone already knows.
Titus 3:10 tells Christians to warn hereticks, those who practice false doctrine, two times. After that we should leave them alone. "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject." Although this was for hereticks, I like the rule of two. Warning addicts twice is enough. Let's try to limit to this amount! (Oops, some of us may be tipping the scale already...grace, grace, and more)
The truth remains there still, but we don't need to verbalize it. Our light makes the presentation all on its own. It doesn't need our help. Jesus is light, and everything that comes from Him shines. In order to even obtain any light, though, we need to be walking with Jesus. He is the only light, and without Him you are in darkness.
Our cursing, yelling, hate, anger, complaints, etc. caused by addiction issues need to go. We know how to faithfully walk with Jesus, just as the addict knows the truth about their mess. But are we not hearing the truth? How about not believing the truth? We shouldn't condemn them for addiction when we aren't living right before God.
That might be easier for us to live out once we know a few truths. They do not realize the extent of their damage that addiction causes. Since they don't know Jesus, they don't know what living with Him feels like. Their eyes are not yet open. They don't have the Holy Spirit to convict them. They don't know evil spirits empower them. Only the Father can reveal this to them.
Show them Jesus, but don't expect them to follow. Pray that they have their encounter with the Father.
See ya next time! Can't wait to chat. We will be discussing not taking an addict's addiction personally. (It's going to be real good.)
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