Monday, September 21, 2009

The Biblical View of Addictions



I have been reading and will re-read a book by Edward T. Welch called "Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave." Of course with such a dark title, the subtitle really presents the positive side of the book which is "Finding Hope in the Power of the Gospel." It consist of two parts. The first part deals with defining addictions from a Biblical and theological basic. While this part is interesting and needed in today's culture of psychology's Godless approach to sin and how to deal with it, the second part has been most beneficial to me. The second part, which is the longest part, focuses on the Biblical aspect of fighting besetting sins and assisting others in such a fight.

It is one of the best books I have ever read on the practical aspect of fighting those habitual sins with which every believer deals and assisting fellow believers who also struggle with these besetting sins. I would say that while an unbeliever can benefit from this book (mainly hearing the gospel), the main focus is for believers. The gospel is the beginning of overcoming these sins. If one have not coming to a saving faith in the person and work of Christ, then really this book will not make sense to them. It is full of so much good information that I intend to present some of it here as time allows during my re-read of it over the next several weeks. I would encourage you to get a copy and read this book over and over until its ideas are ingrained in your mind. Of course, if you do this you will be putting God's word into your mind and practice for that is where he gets the main thought of his book.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

The Value of God's Word



Last week during worship, the following text was read from Psalm 119:
The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver pieces. (Psalm 119:72)
I have to admit that one of the first thoughts that came into my mind upon hearing it read was what would I do if someone offered me thousands of gold and silver pieces to completely remove God's word from my life now and for the rest of my life. I wondered do I value God's word more than riches.

Without a doubt, one of the gods of America is riches. It is a god and the worship of riches is idolatry. In fact, to worship the god of riches is in direct violation of the law of God which commands us to worship Him alone and have no other gods before Him.

But for believers, this statement by David should ring true in our lives. We should be as I believe Charles Spurgeon said of John Bunyan:
Prick him anywhere; and you will find that his blood is Bibline, the very essence of the Bible flows from him. He cannot speak without quoting a text, for his soul is full of the Word of God.

We should pursue and value the knowledge and application of God's word as the world pursues riches. May God grant us faith that believes this truth and with the power of the Holy Spirit working in us produces an obedience to God's word that will bring Him glory and will be for our absolute best.