I got a phone call from one of you a few weekends ago. I could hear something in the voice that told me one of your siblings was struggling with a life issue. After recounting the circumstances and the feeling of frustration, there came the question: “Why do I keep doing this?” and “I am disgusted with my behavior, but can’t seem to stop.” At that juncture we talked about choices and the tendency in our family to be either impulsive or compulsive based on behavioral style. With just a smattering of those kinds of characteristics it is natural to have tendencies toward addictive behavior. With those predispositions, we get into habits we know are not healthy, but have a hard time getting away from them because friends are often associated with those behaviors. The more habitual the manifestations, the less peace you have in your life. You may even come to a place where you question your salvation.
First of all, let me give you a visual illustration of what is going on inside of you:
Now, here is what’s happening. Paul explains in Romans 7:22-23 this occurs in him also. “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law (law of the Spirit); but I see another law at work in the members of my body (lust of the eyes, flesh and desire for personal gain) waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members” (the body). It is literally impossible for the natural man to do what is right according to Romans 8:5: “The sinful mind (without the Spirit) is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law nor can it do so.” However, you have: “. . . the [Holy] Spirit helps us in our weakness . . . the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” (Romans 8:27) The challenge for you and I is where these laws meet – our mind. With both laws at work in your brain, the mind becomes the scene for the battle of your life and very existence.
Paul also tells us that there may be some things you never get rid of in 2 Corinthians 12:7 so don’t let Satan kill your desire to grow. You have to learn to accept grace without abusing it (Romans 6:1 – 2). Instead think about Romans 14:13 from the perspective of judging yourself instead of others. Think about Psalm 1:3. God is at work in you and will increase your disgust with sin and those who promote it in you, until you can no longer participate – or you’ll be completely miserable. For those He loves, that’s the way He works. Your choice!
Love Dad