How do you feel when you learn that a fellow believer is addicted to porn?What if she is addicted to painkillers? How about someone who is a chronic gossip?Do you feel compassion? Contempt? Confused? Maybe a combination of all of
these?
How should we treat him or her? When is church discipline necessary? When do we forego discipline in favor of compassion? Jesus was hard on the Pharisees and compassionate toward the woman caught in adultery.
I've met believers who make excuses for naughty behavior. "My wife rejects my sexual overtures, so I turn to porn,"or, "My boss doesn'tcompensate me fairly so I feel justified in leaving work early."Comments such as these have the distinct odor of rebelliousness. Rebels say, "I'm doing things my way."Rebels best chance of receiving help is by way of discipline.
I've met believers who are caught in the web of addiction and feel intense shame. They make no excuses. They want out, but don't know how to find freedom. They have the look and aroma of a captive. Discipline will crush a captive. The captive needs compassion and care.
What are you struggling with? Are you a rebel? Do you make excuses? I've found that I'm destined to indefinitely repeat any unwholesome behavior I excuse. Freedom becomes real as we own the truth, stop making excuses and receive help.
Are you a captive? Does your sin cause you pain? Do you feel shame? Do you ache for freedom? Are you feeling hopeless? You can have freedom! Don't believe the lie that says you are stuck and will never be free. True freedom from habitual negative conduct is always a journey, even for those who experience dramatic breakthroughs; it's one thing to experience freedom, it's another thing to walk in it for the rest of your earthly journey.
Are you aware of resources that are available to help you find freedom from captivity? Email for a document with information about healing resources.