Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Addiction is a form of demon control, whether it be slavery to alcohol, to drugs, to pornography, to gambling, even to chocolate (!), or yes, it could be shopping till you drop. Slavery to appetite is extremely common. It doesn't matter what form the addiction takes--it's a loss of self-control which will eventually drive to death. It's the process of "perishing" that John 3:16 says God so loved us that He gave His Son to save us from.
Often the addict sheds tears in secret, longing for release. "Counseling" is what the gurus usually prescribe, which of course is good if the counselor turns out to be wise. But he/she may not be wise. One of the names of Jesus Christ is "Counselor" (Isa. 9:6). You won't have a problem making an appointment, for His "office" is always open. He says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). His word contains the secret of conquering any evil obsession. But we must understand how He "counsels"--He refuses to by-pass the method He has chosen: speaking to us through His word, the Bible. And, of course, to read and study it takes time and effort on our part. We humans naturally want a quick solution--give us a special bypass visit from an angel that will save us the mental bother of reading what God has said in the Bible.
But God holds His ground; He honors the Bible as His word. One of its priceless gems of wisdom is Daniel 1:8, the secret of conquering any addiction: "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." He formed that "purpose" BEFORE he prayed for deliverance from the compulsion in which he found himself. Prayer is wonderful; but it's getting the cart before the horse if it bypasses that "purpose in the heart." God wants you to be free indeed; but in the process He wants to honor you for determining that "purpose" in your heart. You "purpose," THEN you pray. Thus He builds your self-respect.
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 4, 2000.Copyright © 2010 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
------------------------------
Please forward these messages to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. The "Dial Daily Bread" Web site resides at: http://1888message.org/
To subscribe send an e-mail message with "subscribe" in the body of the message to: dailybread@1888message.org
------------------------------
Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" messages are availalbe via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.
Addiction is a form of demon control, whether it be slavery to alcohol, to drugs, to pornography, to gambling, even to chocolate (!), or yes, it could be shopping till you drop. Slavery to appetite is extremely common. It doesn't matter what form the addiction takes--it's a loss of self-control which will eventually drive to death. It's the process of "perishing" that John 3:16 says God so loved us that He gave His Son to save us from.
Often the addict sheds tears in secret, longing for release. "Counseling" is what the gurus usually prescribe, which of course is good if the counselor turns out to be wise. But he/she may not be wise. One of the names of Jesus Christ is "Counselor" (Isa. 9:6). You won't have a problem making an appointment, for His "office" is always open. He says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). His word contains the secret of conquering any evil obsession. But we must understand how He "counsels"--He refuses to by-pass the method He has chosen: speaking to us through His word, the Bible. And, of course, to read and study it takes time and effort on our part. We humans naturally want a quick solution--give us a special bypass visit from an angel that will save us the mental bother of reading what God has said in the Bible.
But God holds His ground; He honors the Bible as His word. One of its priceless gems of wisdom is Daniel 1:8, the secret of conquering any addiction: "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." He formed that "purpose" BEFORE he prayed for deliverance from the compulsion in which he found himself. Prayer is wonderful; but it's getting the cart before the horse if it bypasses that "purpose in the heart." God wants you to be free indeed; but in the process He wants to honor you for determining that "purpose" in your heart. You "purpose," THEN you pray. Thus He builds your self-respect.
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 4, 2000.Copyright © 2010 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
------------------------------
Please forward these messages to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. The "Dial Daily Bread" Web site resides at: http://1888message.org/
To subscribe send an e-mail message with "subscribe" in the body of the message to: dailybread@1888message.org
------------------------------
Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" messages are availalbe via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.
