We Are All Junkies
Just about everyone has things in their lives that they like (love). You know those things that we would do just about anything to make time to do. These can be healthy or unhealthy. For some, like myself, it is running or fitness. For others, it is a career. For still others, it is love, family, travel, sports, etc. There are those that have unhealthy "addictions" like drinking, drugs, violence and crime, laziness, anger, etc. The point is that most of us have things that are so important to "us" that we sacrifice other things or people or GOD to do or to have. When we do this for some period of time and we turn more and more attention to this and more and more attention away from God, we begin to go sideways. Whatever we do with our lives, God has to be number one. When anything else becomes number one, we have chosen an idol, and we can make just about anything in our lives become an idol for us. It is usually unintentional. It just happens. The answer:
1 Samuel 12:20-22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/)
New International Version (NIV)
20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.
God will gladly accept you back, you just need to refocus yourself on Him and on His ways. His ways require us to all things in moderation. We can still do the healthy "habits" that we have so long as they don't take our eyes and our focus off of Him. He will have us serve no other "god" except for Him. We need to work. We need to take care of our families. We need to have healthy avenues to blow off some steam. We can have a little wine, etc. But the things that are illegal, or immoral, or things that we do in excess, are the things we need to get rid of or bring back under control.
God will gladly accept you back, you just need to refocus yourself on Him and on His ways. His ways require us to all things in moderation. We can still do the healthy "habits" that we have so long as they don't take our eyes and our focus off of Him. He will have us serve no other "god" except for Him. We need to work. We need to take care of our families. We need to have healthy avenues to blow off some steam. We can have a little wine, etc. But the things that are illegal, or immoral, or things that we do in excess, are the things we need to get rid of or bring back under control.
Ephesians 5
New International Version (NIV)
5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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