Does the mighty Holy Spirit, the third Person of the infinite Godhead, the “Comforter” whom Jesus promised would come and sit down beside us and never leave us (“Parakletos”),—does that mighty Power who is greater than the world itself, ... does He concern Himself with the trivialities of our mundane day-to-day living?
Specifically, does He concern Himself with our deadly addictions to unhealthful food?
As the Comforter, He is the Friend who “sticketh closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24); it’s difficult to drive Him away for He is loathe to abandon anyone. The Holy Spirit is a Person who can be grieved away but if He must leave us it is in unutterable grief to Himself.
Slavery to appetite begins in childhood, often with candy or ice cream being given as a reward or “comfort” food; the innocent child thus learns a terrible lie—that “comfort” comes not from the Holy Spirit but from sweets.
We say that the addict cannot smoke another cigarette or take another drink or indulge again in drugs, without the Holy Spirit pleading with him (her) personally, “No, don’t do this!” The addict has deafened his ears and just doesn’t “hear” the appeal. But the love of the Savior is real, nonetheless, seeking to save us from ourselves. He tries and tries.
The addict is the Prodigal Son sitting in the pigsty day after day; he cannot forget the prodigal love of the father. Blessed is the hour when he stands up, stomps his feet, chooses to hate the pigsty, and declares, “I will arise and go to my Father ...”
He will say “No! No!” to this selfish appetite that has become a part of his being, and he will say “Yes! Yes!” to the true Comforter of his soul! (Cf. Luke 15:18).
“Oh, it’s so difficult,” self says; and yes, the Prodigal Son can’t do it without a Savior who “set His face to go to Jerusalem” to His cross (Luke 9:51), to die there the world’s second death. Christ was human as well as divine; the internal struggle was so intense at that moment that He summoned all His strength of will to begin that journey that He knew must end in the goodbye-forever-second-death. Every sinner in the world must re-enact that hour of utter commitment of soul; “the love (agape) of Christ constraineth us,” not craven fear, but a heart appreciation of the price which the Son of God had to endure so He could save us from hell itself. Jesus had to “overcome” in that act when He “set His face.”
We too “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” in the choice to “overcome even as [He] overcame” (Rev. 3:21). Don’t get childishly obsessed with your “reward.” Think of your blessed grown-up fellowship with Him.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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