So here comes the second part of our discussion
The subject matter of addiction is a repeated cycle and pattern of lifestyle and behavior that has been practiced over a long period of time so much so that it has become habitual and a stronghold in the mind. It has been said that a habit takes just twenty-one days to form, to after practicing a lifestyle for such period of time, a habit is formed, and when the habit continues unchecked, it becomes a stronghold, either positive or negative.
No one wants to be held against his will, and at least almost every human would want to exercise some level of control over himself and his environment, actions and inactions, but this is not the case in the situation of an addict. He is held against his will, powerless in the hand of his master and that is why it is called a stronghold. Many who violate their conscience and body in our society today do so not because they want to but because they are helpless against their master, so the next time you come across someone in a negative lifestyle, hold your stone before you throw it and cast not your judgment if you can’t offer to help.
The addicted falls and rises, only to fall again and rise. Determined to hold his head high, he takes a few step only to fall again into what seems to be too strong to break free from, and what holds individual captive differs from that of the next person for some it is lie, while for others it is sexual immorality in whatever degree, while for yet another it is gluttony. One common trend in all these is the inability to break free from this “master”.
One important thing to note is that a stronghold is something that is holding one strongly, and one of the most difficult strongholds in life is that which holds the mind. It is true that many addictive behavior have a physical manifestation, but let me point out that they all have an undertone of a thought life. By this I mean that they are all a thing of the mind even though they are physically carried out.
The first area where this life begins is in the mind. So a little girl finds herself in a web of masturbation and exclaims she doesn’t know how it happened. It must have been that there was a physical action, abuse, engagement in watching porn, or perhaps life sex, listening to x-rated or even r-rated discussions etc, and then this thing creates a memory. The next time she is tempted to involve in such, she finds it easier because the mind has already processed it as something to stimulate the body and enjoy, and then she spirals down the web by continuing in this lie. At a point in time, a stronghold is formed and she’s bound to the lifestyle until she locates a means of escape.
The good and wonderful news is the fact that there is definitely a way of escape, the avenue to freedom is right at the corner, always presenting itself at every opportunity and that means is this: JESUS.
Yea, that’s right. Irrespective of what society says or whether this is politically correct or not, the simple truth is that the only way out of the mess is through the Christ Jesus. He died that we may live in Him and he overcame sin that we may walk in His victory. Accepting Jesus is the practical means to freedom, and I dare say you cannot know this well enough until you have tasted it. When we confess Him as Lord and Saviour, then we have taken the first step to freedom howbeit, there are practical steps to follow to achieve lasting victory.
I’ll continue with this in the next post.
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