There's a Choice! (Counsel Chapter 9)

 

You are not your own if you are a follower of Jesus Christ.  You have been bought with His precious life blood.  You are a temple of the living God's Holy Spirit.  Your body and spirit belong to Him (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 & 1 Peter 1:18-19)

Therefore when we choose destructive behavior such as drug or alcohol abuse, or of a sexual nature outside of marriage to your own spouse, you are sinning against God.  

A person may have reasons and excuses for the destructive decisions they've made:  a tough life; trauma, active duty in a foreign land PTSD and the like.  Yes, empathy for a friend's reasons do not abate.  However, it still remains that a choice was made be it due to peer pressure or stemming from medical treatment.  To continue, was a choice.

The behaviors are a choice.  Maybe though a person didn't realize they even had a choice.  It could have been that the environment one grew up in was very dictatorial, strict adherence was the norm and it felt like there was no choice.  In fact, the word 'choice' was not even in the regions' dictionary.

This is understandable.  But now you know, there is a choice.  Now you can make a decision.  What will you choose?  Would you like to extricate yourself from Satan's grip of bondage and live in the freedom you can have in Christ?

Would you like to live under the authority of Jesus Christ?  His Spirit lives within you if you are a child of God.  You belong to Him and He has given us the free will to gladly surrender to Him, surrendering our bodies and spirits that are actually already His.

There is hope and freedom in Christ.  Choose to live under His authority.  Seek help to overcome addictions.  The Holy Spirit will help you.  Put your hand in the hand of Jesus.  You won't regret this choice.

May our Heavenly Father and His great almighty power work in each of us for His glory and honor and for our good health, becoming a testimony to the world of His greatness through us.

Grant us these Father, in Your Son Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                ~ ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 1 Peter 1:18-19).  Also Counseling Friends in Need by Harold J. Sala; Chapter 9 - Using the Bible to Counsel Addictive Behaviors, pages 174-200.

Sing, Overcomer along with Mandisa.

Memorize:  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 & 1 Peter 1:18-19.