Breaking Free: Chapter 1

Sexual addiction is an obsessive compulsive relationship with a person, object, or experience for the purpose of sexual gratification. Whatever the type or amount of the behavior, it is damaging spiritually, physically or both. The addict has has repeatedly tried to stop the behavior but at the same time is terrified of stopping. What drives the addiction is inadequate spirituality and deep unmet childhood needs that are valid but are mistakenly thought to be sexual needs. the behavior usually starts in the pre-adolescence and tends to shape the orientation and personality of the individual. Genuine recovery is possible only with outside intervention and divine help. (page 27)

Proverbs 5:15-20 talks about being satisfied with my own wife, may her breasts satisfy me. The Bible also contains a whole book to sexual satisfaction, the Songs of Solomon, so God knows about sex and wants me to be turn to my wife for sex, not somewhere else.

Jeremiah 2:13 talks about forsaking God... really, abandoning him. I am his people and I have abandoned God by doing my sin. This is a bit depressing for me, but I will push through it. I have dug my own cistern, a cup that cannot hold water because it is broken. And by doing that, I cannot have living water, the water God wants me to have. I have no part with the Holy Spirit.

The Light Study #9

Proverbs 15:30
Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

• I read this as you should share your faith. But it could also be read as visiting someone with good news (IE: good news sharing) lifts up the spirit. So, it is probably both.

Proverbs 20:27
The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

• OK, this one is definitely about sharing your faith. Your heart is being convicted by the Spirit that is in you.

Ecclesiastes 2:13-14
I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.

• Being in the light is better than being in the darkness.

John 11:9-10
Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

• If you are in the darkness, you will stumble. If you walk in the light, you will not stumble.

1 John 2:3-11
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

• If you are in the light, you have to love everyone, including your enemy (but not the devil, it's OK to hate the devil).

Humility Study: Part III - Prehonor Rituals

Proverbs 15
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble. The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness. Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A man finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave. The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact. The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him. A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

A person who is disciplined has characteristics of humility. So, what does this chapter say about discipline?

• A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.
• Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
• He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

Not only that, but Proverbs also says this:

• The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7)
• My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Proverbs 3:11-12)
• The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. (Proverbs 5:22-23)
• My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. (Proverbs 6:20, 23-24)
• He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. (Proverbs 10:17)
• Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. (Proverbs 12:1)
• He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. (Proverbs 13:18)
• Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. (Proverbs 19:18)
• Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15)
• Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. (Proverbs 23:12-14)
• Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. (Proverbs 23:22-24)

If I discipline my son, then... well, there is a good outcome for him. If I don't, then I am an active participant in his death. Wow, talk about severe. And the same goes for God and me. The relationship is that God is to discipline me so that God is not an active participant in my death. I have to listen to the discipline he is feeding me. I have to be humble to the discipline. Otherwise, I am just some stupid idiot.