Sin the biggest addiction Week 25, 2013

The pictures of substance abuse we see simply foreshadow the most pervasive and dangerous addiction: the addiction to sin. Addictive substances give pleasure for a while before showing their destruction of the user; sin gives temporary pleasure also. Moses knew this. He chose to suffer with God's people rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a little while Heb 11:25(GW). Have you seen a man desperately trying to break an addiction and failing? It happens with sin too. “For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out. For I don't do the good I want to do, but instead do the evil that I don't want to do” Rom 7:18, 19(ISV) is the cry of the man finding himself addicted.

A manifestation of addiction is denial: the refusal to accept the reality of being trapped in a destructive habit. Is it not regarded as correct by many to lie your way out of danger? A book I read from a Christian bookshop argued masturbation cannot be a sin since over 90% of men and over 70% of women sampled are involved in it, and the word “masturbation “ isn’t used in the Bible! Perhaps the author has forgotten 100% of men and women have sinned. Does it now mean sin is defined by democratic means? What am I saying? Thus the conscience is seared and corrupted; silenced by relativity. Tragically lesbianism and homosexual tendencies have overcome some to the point it has ceased to be regarded as abnormal and perverse but “alternate sexuality”. “Since I can’t stop it, and it makes me feel whole, and many people are doing it, and I hurt no one it is alright.” No. It hurts alright; it hurts down to eternal destruction. The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord  Rom 6:23(GW). In some cultures tobacco ingestion is a socially accepted pastime.

If you touch sin it will control you, no matter who you are. Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly I tell you that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin Jn 8:34(ISV).It controls Lucifer who is now the personification and chief agent. It has done so from the time he sought to use it to overthrow God. In entering sin Lucifer thought to ascend, but all that resulted was a drastic descent (Is 14:12-14).

I am afraid it is too late to avoid the sin addiction since all have been caught in its web. If we say that we have never sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us 1Jn 1:10(ISV).  But if anyone turns to Jesus Christ and cleaves to Him that slavery is broken. I thank God that our Lord Jesus Christ rescues me! Rom 7:25(GW).  Have you experienced this freedom from the grip of sin or do you still find yourself habitually sinning? Whatever holiness cannot give you: reject. If truth, love and faithfulness keep anything off your way, take no short cut to get it.

Integrity Week 24, 2013

It has been a while you should have accounted for the money you have been holding. Your report or lack of it has been holding up our final report.

“Haba brother why are you so insistent? Don’t you know And they did not ask an accounting from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to pay out to the workmen, for they dealt honestly. 2Ki 12:15(ESV)?”

Look my friend you must produce that report. How else shall we know if you have dealt honestly or not? Give your report to qualify; I’m sure those men had been proven before then. Besides we are dealing with a mixed multitude. Let all your business be well ordered in the eyes of all men Rom 12:17(BBE).

“I find this accounting matter very difficult. Getting this balance of income and expenditure is just not my scene. Isn’t it enough that we show them the items in the budget were met? Anyone can go to the market to verify the prices are correct.”

What are you suggesting? I am sure you haven’t touched the money.

“My conscience is clear on that matter. God knows I have not eaten anyone’s money. If anything my money may even be trapped there.”

 A clear conscience is not proof of blamelessness. For my conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who examines me 1Cor 4:4(ISV). Wait, how could your money be there? You were just to keep the books.

“Well occasionally I ran out of money and having an urgent need dipped my hand in to save the situation; but I always pay it back.”

So how come you are not exactly keen on rendering the accounts?

“The needs have been getting frequent and I was no longer very sure of the figures so I put some extra money in…”

 Look - money matters are very sensitive. We are trying to avoid any criticism of the way we are administering this great undertaking.  We intend to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of people 2Co 8:20, 21 (ESV).  You acted on your own without the knowledge of those who trusted you, and did not involve relevant authorized people to keep you accountable. Can you see how addiction to inappropriate access has developed in you? You should have known better and been more disciplined.  Is this not how Judas fell? Dead flies will make a bottle of perfume stink, and then it is spoiled. A little foolishness outweighs wisdom and honor Eccl 10:1(GW).

“I protest, how can you compare this with Judas? I said I return the money. It’s just that the fine details are a bit blurred now and I don’t want it to look like what it is not.” Judas also returned his (Matt27:3). It is a trap to escape from. Bring the matter up clearly and cleanly before the next meeting. Not a dime should be missing from the amount expected in your hands. Be sure not to do this type of thing anymore.

The addict Week 23, 2013

So many people have started substance abuse innocently. They want some fun, and the promise of a feeling of ecstasy or peace enveloping them lures them to try it out.  Some want to prove their manhood or womanhood. Imagine the advert for an alcoholic beverage reading “come drink at the table of men”, and showing an empty glass of alcoholic beverage reads “a real man was here”. A friend of mine started drinking because it helped ease her menstrual pains, yet ”Who is always in trouble? Who argues and fights? Who has cuts and bruises? Whose eyes are red? Everyone who stays up late, having just one more drink” Prov 23:29, 30(GNB).  What of those who went into it because a friend persuaded them to try it out, and rather than being the odd-man-out illicit drug use is tasted.

“I could never be an addict,” I can hear you say. “I would never allow myself to be brought under the control of any substance, or any one for that matter.” Well done; nice resolve. Why are you so confident in yourself? “Haven’t you heard the saying ‘Do all things in moderation?’ I know where to draw the line” No. Abstain from every form of evil. 1Thess 5:22(ESV). “Ah, but there are necessary evils you know. The only thing is to avoid making a habit of such. Those who become addicts are genetically disposed to dependence.” I don’t agree. Evil is never necessary, it is a mark of its deceitful nature to appear needful at certain times. It is that appearing necessary which gives it grounds to enter and then control a person. Many started drugs to help them cope with busy schedules, chronic pains (both emotional and physical pain), and physically demanding jobs. So the barrow pusher or manual labourer starts it to help him with tasks to earn a living, and ends up spending all his earnings just for another joint. Theft ensues. Listen; you can never be in control of such substances. Mosquitoes carrying malaria parasite have been shown to be controlled to a measure by the parasite!

Consider Herod the tetrarch. He was in control of his kingdom, not so? The soldiers did his bidding, Rome granted him recognition, and cities depended on him for food (Act 12:20). When he felt it necessary to arrest John the Baptist for daring to speak out against his unlawful marriage to Herodias, he felt he had gone far enough. So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she couldn't do it because Herod was afraid of John. He knew that John was a righteous and holy man, and so he protected him. Whenever he listened to John, he did much of what he said. In fact, he liked listening to him Mk 6:19, 20(ISV).  Yet he didn’t release John until a time came when a rash vow made in the presence of guests forced his hand. At once he ordered a guard to cut off John's head there in prison Mk 6:27 (CEV). The easy way to stop addiction is abstinence. Already hooked? Jesus will cure you.

From darkness to light

It was my friends that first introduced me to it. I was then in JSS3 or SS1. It was grown at their backyard and they offered me some to take mixed in local gin. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent Prov 1:10(ESV).  After taking it the effect was not courage but drowsiness! They then introduced me to the one that is smoked.  That is how I started smoking marijuana. I left it alone when I completed my secondary school; but not for long. I relocated to Port Harcourt to learn a trade. Just like when Samson got to Gaza and hooked up with a harlot when I got there I made friends with some who smoked and I now became hooked on it. Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."1Cor 15:33(ESV).   I could challenge anyone I cared and wouldn’t give a damn. I felt I was liked for being very strong and having stamina but I noticed my master did not trust me as I expected. He preferred those who came in to learn the trade after me. I think he felt I was irresponsible because I smoked marijuana.

Someday after smoking something strange happened: fear suddenly gripped me! It got worse each time I smoked. I lost my peace and zest for life. The motorbike I bought for N135, 000 could not please me again, and I realised I was becoming unkempt- I who used to be very neat. No one could help me. I even went to the psychiatric hospital in Port Harcourt but the drugs they gave me made me feel I was behaving like a madman. I started feeling there was nothing to live for and decided to end it all. Battery acid was easily available and I bought N200 worth. On the day I selected to end it I dressed well and ate well. When I drank the acid it burned my mouth and throat. I shouted with pain and spewed it out. The shouts brought people around who met me on the floor. I did not die but was rushed to hospital and a tube put in my throat for breathing and another into the stomach through the skin to feed me. I could not so much as swallow saliva. For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."Rom 9:15(ESV) 

Following my discharge I went to my village and again met with smokers in the village square. When a preacher approached they fled from him because, as they said, he disturbs them a lot. I run from no man so I waited for him and he preached to me. The word pieced my heart and I received Jesus into my heart. I have been in the Lord a year now but some people think it is 4 years. I no longer smoke, and the fear has reduced so much; it is almost not there.  I avoid everything I know to be wrong; I have a strong desire for purity. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come 2Cor 5:17(ESV). I am praying to be filled with the Holy Spirit. That’s how I got to be in this condition. I had another surgery and 2 days ago I can now swallow saliva, though I use the tube for solid food.  

                                 Ejimofor  is a patient in ward 3 UNTH