“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1st Peter 5:8)
Society today prefers to use the word addiction, it has a less stringent connotation, less personal, and implies no singular fault upon the one it is inferred upon. In fact, many places have attempted to classify it as a disease, not solely of course for the emotional welfare of the one addicted, but also that the general public would not place a disparaging face upon those in its throes.
And of course, something classified as a disease has the benefit of money thrown at it by numerous governmental agencies, at the taxpayers’ expense.
Consumed would be a more appropriate word, but that word has the connotation of an almost complete hopelessness, an involuntary and inescapable consequence for our actions. The word that should be used, but never will be by this world, is lust.
“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:15)
Most definitely the word sin must never be attached to the one who is addicted to anything in a civilized society, especially in what are considered advanced nations, technologically and morally advanced nations. That word sin has no place in such an enlightened society, leave it to those backward countries that still believe in superstitious nonsense, who pray to gods of wood and stone, not in those nations who have finally come to the realization that there is no God, no devil, no real good or evil force that guides the hand of mankind.
They believe man himself is the guiding force of his own destiny. And so, Satan has gorged himself with his devouring.
When personal sin is dissolved in any society, no one is accountable for their actions, and all are to accept whatever form of lifestyle any have chosen. To force your belief structure upon another is not only disrespectful, but judgmental, and those who attempt to do so are to be punished.
“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)
And so many in the church, the body of Christ, for the most part, remain silent, not standing in any great form, saving their words and thoughts for the congregation, in places of safety, not standing in the evil day, except in the most secure of places.
Obedience demands servitude, and those trapped in sin will maintain a subservient attitude, as long as they receive what they desire, or as long as their sin remains hidden from others.
The attitude today amongst many who profess to serve the Lord Jesus Christ is apathy, we know these days that we have been placed in were foretold long ago, we know what is occurring and what is approaching, and we know it cannot be stopped, so why try. Just stay the course as best as you can, keep yourself unspotted from the world, do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together, and never entertain the thought that the truth of 2nd Timothy 3:2 may apply to you.
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”
Quite an incredible feat, isn’t it? To watch as Satan devours nearly the entire planet? Billions of people not living in sin, just misguided at times perhaps, simply living their lives as they please and each one of them telling each other that the choice is theirs, and you have no right to judge their decision.
The disease is sin my friends.
