It's a truism said by many that the world is morally becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah. What God has created holy, an image of Himself, is dragged in the mud. Entertainment is sex-permeated, and for many, sex has become an obsession, the only thing to live for, an idolatry. Pornography has become an addiction.
Of all addictions, sex is probably the most persistent to overcome because the allurement remains forever. But the Savior of the world has not abandoned us. He became one of us, "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15). This means that He has power to deliver from even a sexual addiction.
He has left for us in the Bible the story of one who was so terribly addicted that way that she is described as being possessed by "seven devils." The "seven" indicates she was so far gone that she was beyond anyone's therapeutic help. A cast-off wreck of humanity. Her name: Mary Magdalene.
It's obvious she didn't know herself. She thought she wanted sex, but what she wanted was love. Not infatuation, not idolatry, but love. She had concluded that there was not a man in the world who knew what true love is, hence her extreme bitterness of soul. She must have particularly hated the man who had originally led her into sin and then abandoned her, or rather, had driven her into exile in order to save his own "holy" reputation. In her despair, she saw herself as nothing; other people trampled her in the mud; she hated herself, too, and lowered herself as far down as she could go. The seven devils swirled about in her soul, captivating every thought.
Then she met Jesus, and discovered agape, an unselfish love, a love that leads its possessor to die on a cross. Her soul had almost been totally obliterated, but there was a tiny remnant left that responded: she wanted what Jesus had! He can reveal His agape to everyone for He loves us all alike, but there has to be on our part some response of recognition. Some connection deep down has to be made, something reciprocal. Some switch has to be turned on or the electrical power cannot flood the house. It was a long battle Mary had--seven prayer sessions with Jesus Himself. At last the "seventh" devil was cast out, and she was free. He still saves, today. But all seven devils must be let go!
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 7, 2004.Copyright © 2011 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.
