As Christians we are to not only proclaim to be believers in Christ but also followers thereof. We no longer desire to do the things of this world but 1“walk in newness of life,” as Paul said. In this message, I will be quoting from Paul in relation to sin. It is made clear, through his teachings, that in the faith we are never to 3“render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” This means to give up old habits, and in return, go after what is good in God’s eyes. Addictions, such as Smoking/Vaping, drugs, drinking, looking at porn and other such things should be tossed out the window for the sake of Christ. We do this in order to be in line with God and His Word, and no longer a servant to sin. Speaking to those people that have developed these bad habits, we are warned to 4“flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” This counsel is wise for only those that allow the Lord to cleanse them from sin, will be made 1“alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We are to examine ourselves and if our lives are currently serving the lusts of the flesh, then we are not a follower of God but of this world. And 1“know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”
Addiction is sin and in Christ, these sins are destroyed, that we may follow Him to the fullest. As mentioned, addictions come in all forms but a growing trend among young people is vaping. And speaking of this addiction, do not let people full you into thinking that it is a better than smoking. Just like smoking, it is bad for your lungs and causes shortness of breath. 2And doing such things, these people do not have a clear mind at all, and therefore, are harming their inner temple of the Holy Spirit. Doing such things drives away the Spirit and this is very bad as we are told to 3“quench not the Spirit.” Instead, we are to 3“prove all things; hold fast that which is good,” and 3“abstain from all appearance of evil.” If anything appears evil, we are to flee from it. Therefore, 3“watch and be sober.” Do not give into things so easily when it, for one, could be harming your body, and two, driving away the Spirit. It is my prayer that 3“the very God of peace sanctify you wholly.” And I pray to God that 3“your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Look inside your soul today and if you are under the cloud of darkness, because of addiction, lay it all down at the feet of Jesus and repent. Quit doing the things that God hates and allow the Lord to heal you from your addiction. God can help you. 3“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” Will you respond to God’s call today?
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, help break free the chains of addiction in people’s lives. May they fully come out of every evil way. May those people suffering with smoking or vaping, no longer be in bondage but let loose from the slavery. Help everyone that is addicted to drinking be made sober. For every person that is under the influence of drugs, may they find a way to escape, through Your matchless power. Even those people that are involved with pornography, convict them also of their wrongs, that they may repent. May all these types of people turn from their sins today and find refuge in Your matchless arms of mercy. My heart goes out to these people. I know that You can give them the power to escape the temptations of the devil. I pray that they do call upon Your name and confess their sins today. They may be weak in the flesh but You can do all things for those that trust in You. You make us courageous to do things we are not able to do on our own. And most importantly, since my chains are broken, I am so grateful for Your forgiveness and grace. Thank You for freeing me from a life of sin, that I might serve You, my King. I love You. I praise You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Romans 6:1-18 (KJV)
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
21 Corinthians 6:15-20 (KJV)
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
31 Thessalonians 5:1-24 (KJV)
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
42 Timothy 2:22-26 (KJV)
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Free from Addiction. Apart from the blood of Christ applied to our lives, we have no satisfaction. We then search for idols. That’s the fate of man.