THE
QUICK FIX
In
our society we have a pill for seemingly every ailment imaginable and
many pills designed to help us cope with all sorts of things such as
hyperactivity, depression, anxiety, etc. We even have pills to help
us to overcome our addictions. We have pills to curb our appetite so
we won't overeat. We have pills to help us to stop smoking. And
now, surely the ultimate remedy of all times, there is a pill for
those who are addicted to shopping.
Can you believe it? Yes, I said -shopping. Surely I have heard
everything now! However, I have serious doubts as to the
effectiveness of such an addiction remedy.
These
remedies for our poor choices in life are looked to for hope in
correcting what we have let "get out of hand." They are
the "quick fix" for a society who wants instant
gratification. Some such remedies are merely a source of making
money on those who are in desperation and don't know where to turn.
While such pills may have some physiological effect, there is no
substitute for will power in overcoming many habits that have been
labeled as addictions.
Paul
spoke of this novel remedy in 1 Cor. 9:27 when he said, "I
discipline my body and bring it into subjection..." This was an
act of the will. Some call it "mind over matter." In
these words, we find that he "took control" of his own body
and, by his choice, made his body to submit to the will of his mind.
Such an attitude contrasts those who give in to the cravings of the
body and allow their body to rule their thinking. This is called a
lack of will power, or as the scriptures put it, giving in to the
"lusts of the flesh." For those of this less disciplined
sort, the issue remains "mind over matter;" except in
their case, if they don't mind, it doesn't matter. Self-discipline
is not a matter for the faint of heart. It requires deliberate
effort and its outcome is never the result of indifference.
The
word "discipline" has with it the idea of "following"
a particular line of thought so as to "learn" something.
That is why those who followed Jesus to hear His teachings were
called "disciples." Normally, we think of such a process
of learning as that which requires both teacher and learner. It is
most commonly thought of as a cooperative effort. However, when self
discipline is considered, we find that it is a process involving ones
own application of that which one knows to be true. Even the process
of learning involves self
discipline because it demands the focusing of ones attention to that
which is to be learned as well as internalizing it and applying it in
an appropriate response to what the conscience demands as right.
Therefore,
the lack
of self discipline is the failure to make application of what we know
is right, even in defiance of what our conscience does not approve.
An example of this is seen in the person who is tempted to light up
that first cigarette. The conscience may say no, while the mind is
weighing the alternatives and concludes that the desire to gain the
approval of piers, or the dread of ridicule by them, outweighs the
reasons not to do so. The will at this point kicks in and "gives
in" to the temptation and the body takes over in "doing its
own thing."
Does
this not sound like what James said in regard to sin? "But each
one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires
and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." (Jas.
1:14-15) In an effort to assume no responsibility in such matters,
some like to blame God. The homosexual says he was "born that
way" and so this excuses him or her from being responsible for
what they call an "alternative lifestyle." However, God
still calls it a sin, any way that you look at it. (See Rom.
1:24-32) The excuse that God is the cause for our addictions (sins)
is the ground on which James based his argument; "Let no one say
when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted
by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone." (Jas. 1:13)
The
best remedy for bad habits is not to engage in them in the first
place. As Peter said, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and
pilgrims, abstain
from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they
speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which
they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1 Pet.
2:11-12) James wisely advises us to "submit to God. Resist the
devil and he will flee from you." (Jas. 4:7)
But
what about those who are "hooked" and want relief from that
to which they are addicted? There are no magic pills that will
remove temptation. However, God's word can be a powerful influence
if we will study it and meditate on its message. Attitude is a major
factor of the will. Consider; "...reckon yourselves to be dead
indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore
do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in
its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of
unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive
from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to
God. For sin shall not have dominion over you." (Rom. 6:11-14)
There
is comfort in the scriptures that reminds us that we are not alone in
our battle over the flesh. Even exemplary men like Paul wrestled
against the flesh; "For what I am doing, I do not understand.
For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that
I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law
that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that
dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing
good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what
is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do;
but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I
will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in
me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who
wills to do good." (Rom. 7:15-21) We can sympathize with his
frustration; "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me
from this body of death?" (vs. 24)
As
for the addicted shopper - a dose of contentment may be in order;
"Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with
such things as you have." (Heb. 13:5)
-
Gary V. Womack -