Addictions and sins are extremely
expensive
By Bill Ellis
Any day you pick up a newspaper, listen to radio and television
news, you will probably hear stories about human habits and
addictions that are extremely expensive.
Such words as habit, dependency, craving, enslavement, obsession,
habituation and the “monkey on your back” describe addiction. An
addict, especially when related to illegal drugs, may be called a
junkie, dopehead, freak, acidhead, methhead, cokehead, pothead
and other slang or informal words.
Sin is something that exists in its use as a noun. It is as something
that is done in its verb form. We have, as a nation and civilization,
tried to eliminate this concept from our vocabulary, but with minimal
success. Sin, in any form, is rampant and destroying our nation and
the world.
Sin is defined as an offense, transgression, evil, crime, felony,
immoral act, vice, wickedness and an affront to God. D. H. Lawrence
called it “The breaking of one’s own integrity.” Martin Luther, the
German theologian and leader of the Protestant Reformation that
changed the face of the world, said it was “A departure from God.”
When we describe the act of sin, we use such words as doing an evil
deed, an immoral act, to break a commandment, offend God,
commit a crime, do wrong, transgress and to stray from the path of
righteousness.
Those who are addicted to alcohol are called alcoholics. We have
superb programs to assist them in overcoming this expensive and
enslaving habit. Alcoholics Anonymous is an organization that helps
alcoholics and former alcoholics who seek “Through mutual
counseling, to avoid lapses into drinking.” When I was a boy, they
were called “drunks.” A simple name change does not cure the
addiction.
In recent days, I have read about sexual addiction, which is a
relatively new term, to describe infidelity, sexual lust, unfaithfulness,
shameful conduct, sexual immorality, unrighteousness and
wickedness.
We all have been shocked and felt like we were walking through an
emotional minefield as one blow up after another involving nationally
known leaders and celebrities has occurred. Nobody has an
exemption from this kind of rotten behavior. Every attempt has been
made to excuse it, but none seems to work. It has involved senators,
governors, would-be presidents, corporation executives, the greatest
sports stars, ministers, college presidents, professors, nationally
honored coaches, movie stars, musicians, bankers, editors, writers,
doctors, lawyers – they are all included.
Trying to clean up the messes created by ungodly living has cost
trillions of dollars. Addictions and sins of all kinds have just about
bankrupted our nation. We have reached the place where we are
being compared with the two ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The combined scholarly work of G. Frederick Own and associates
has concluded: “The exact location of these famous cities of God’s
judgment and punishment remain unknown.”
Every person who has any interest in knowing the truth about the
tremendous cost of addictions and sins should read the first chapter
of the letter of Paul to all who were in Rome during the first century
when the people were about as sinful as we could ever imagine. He
described the condition with these words: “For this reason God gave
them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the
natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men … men
with men committing what is shameful … ” (Romans 1:26-27). For a
clear understanding of these issues read carefully the first three
chapters of Romans.
We cannot escape the consequences of addiction or sin. God has
clearly stated: “. . . you may be sure that your sin will catch up with
you” (Numbers 32:23 TLB). Before you become enslaved by any kind
of addiction or sin, be sure to “count the cost.”
expensive
By Bill Ellis
Any day you pick up a newspaper, listen to radio and television
news, you will probably hear stories about human habits and
addictions that are extremely expensive.
Such words as habit, dependency, craving, enslavement, obsession,
habituation and the “monkey on your back” describe addiction. An
addict, especially when related to illegal drugs, may be called a
junkie, dopehead, freak, acidhead, methhead, cokehead, pothead
and other slang or informal words.
Sin is something that exists in its use as a noun. It is as something
that is done in its verb form. We have, as a nation and civilization,
tried to eliminate this concept from our vocabulary, but with minimal
success. Sin, in any form, is rampant and destroying our nation and
the world.
Sin is defined as an offense, transgression, evil, crime, felony,
immoral act, vice, wickedness and an affront to God. D. H. Lawrence
called it “The breaking of one’s own integrity.” Martin Luther, the
German theologian and leader of the Protestant Reformation that
changed the face of the world, said it was “A departure from God.”
When we describe the act of sin, we use such words as doing an evil
deed, an immoral act, to break a commandment, offend God,
commit a crime, do wrong, transgress and to stray from the path of
righteousness.
Those who are addicted to alcohol are called alcoholics. We have
superb programs to assist them in overcoming this expensive and
enslaving habit. Alcoholics Anonymous is an organization that helps
alcoholics and former alcoholics who seek “Through mutual
counseling, to avoid lapses into drinking.” When I was a boy, they
were called “drunks.” A simple name change does not cure the
addiction.
In recent days, I have read about sexual addiction, which is a
relatively new term, to describe infidelity, sexual lust, unfaithfulness,
shameful conduct, sexual immorality, unrighteousness and
wickedness.
We all have been shocked and felt like we were walking through an
emotional minefield as one blow up after another involving nationally
known leaders and celebrities has occurred. Nobody has an
exemption from this kind of rotten behavior. Every attempt has been
made to excuse it, but none seems to work. It has involved senators,
governors, would-be presidents, corporation executives, the greatest
sports stars, ministers, college presidents, professors, nationally
honored coaches, movie stars, musicians, bankers, editors, writers,
doctors, lawyers – they are all included.
Trying to clean up the messes created by ungodly living has cost
trillions of dollars. Addictions and sins of all kinds have just about
bankrupted our nation. We have reached the place where we are
being compared with the two ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The combined scholarly work of G. Frederick Own and associates
has concluded: “The exact location of these famous cities of God’s
judgment and punishment remain unknown.”
Every person who has any interest in knowing the truth about the
tremendous cost of addictions and sins should read the first chapter
of the letter of Paul to all who were in Rome during the first century
when the people were about as sinful as we could ever imagine. He
described the condition with these words: “For this reason God gave
them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the
natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men … men
with men committing what is shameful … ” (Romans 1:26-27). For a
clear understanding of these issues read carefully the first three
chapters of Romans.
We cannot escape the consequences of addiction or sin. God has
clearly stated: “. . . you may be sure that your sin will catch up with
you” (Numbers 32:23 TLB). Before you become enslaved by any kind
of addiction or sin, be sure to “count the cost.”
Bill Ellis is a syndicated columnist
with Assist News Service, and
convention and conference speaker
on every continent. He is the writer of
more than 1,600 columns and
widely known as a motivator utilizing
enjoyment of life and just plain fun
and laughter while speaking to high
school, university and to business
and professional groups of all kinds.
His keen understanding of human
problems make him a favorite
speaker for youth, parent, and
senior adult meetings. He is
accompanied by Kitty, his wife,
favorite singer, editor and publisher.
with Assist News Service, and
convention and conference speaker
on every continent. He is the writer of
more than 1,600 columns and
widely known as a motivator utilizing
enjoyment of life and just plain fun
and laughter while speaking to high
school, university and to business
and professional groups of all kinds.
His keen understanding of human
problems make him a favorite
speaker for youth, parent, and
senior adult meetings. He is
accompanied by Kitty, his wife,
favorite singer, editor and publisher.
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