Sunday, August 31, 1997 In Your Absence:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 20 and 23, we learned about the importance of not abusing alcohol and drugs and also of not being a glutton. While the referenced Scriptures spoke specifically about not abusing alcohol and gluttony, our Quarterly also added drugs to the list. Along with these, there are other areas in life where a person can go to an unhealthy extreme. An individual, for instance, might have a wrongful, non-spiritual attitude about trying to accumulate wealth, or a person can go too far in trying to enjoy all of the worldly pleasures of this life. Paul wrote, in Philippians 4:5, that we should let our moderation be known to all persons, and as Christians, we need to be especially careful about how far we let ourselves be carried with some things.
Our lesson taught that drunkards and gluttons are usually driven to poverty. More important, though, is the spiritual implication of these types of extremes. Often, those who drink express their satisfaction over getting a "high." Those who chase after money are many times boastful about what they can have, and those who go too far with fine dinery are often consumed by and expressive about their satisfaction with high living. What these people probably do not realize is that, despite the respective highs which results with each of these extremes, there is a higher "high" which can still be known. Plus, this higher "high" does not carry with it any of the negative costs or burdens which are usually associated with over-drinking, overeating, being caught up in drugs, chasing money, or any of the others. The highest "high" that a person in this life can know is that which comes from having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. Nothing out a bottle or anywhere else can compare with the peace, joy, and contentment that comes from knowing Christ. The Christian life is not always easy, but it is still probably much easier and much better than the life which is produced by the practice of unhealthy extremes.
How can a person actually break an unhealthy dependence upon something like alcohol, drugs, gluttony, or any of the others? The Apostle Paul wrote, in Ephesians 5:18, that we should not be drunk with wine but that we should be filled with the Holy Spirit. In my opinion, his writing gives us the answer. A person probably cannot free him or herself from a wrongful, unhealthy dependence upon something merely by trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and that something. A better solution to any wrongful extreme can always be found in Christ. If you see yourself as being enslaved to something that is holding you down, then give that something over to Christ and let Him, through the indwelling and leadership of the Holy Spirit, take it from you. We do not have to be captives. We do not have to be enslaved by the burdens of this life. Instead, we can be free to serve our Lord in the manner that He desires. To that end, please think on these truths, and do not let yourselves be a slave to anything. Also, as you go through the coming week, try to share your faith in the Lord with others. He loves them, too.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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