#2. Does it dominate? The Greek word is ἐξουσιάζω [ex·oo·see·ad·zo] literally to mean: “brought under its power – to have power over one’s body.[1] What we are talking about is the world of addictions. “This is the principle of control. Certain forms of indulgence become wrong when they bring the person into bondage. One of the character qualities of the believer is self-control (cf. Gal 5:22–23). [2]
Of course there are hundreds and thousands of things we can become addicted to. We think of drugs and alcohol, smoking and gambling. There are multitudes more from television to video games; to reading and working; to eating; to sports. I have no way of supporting this proposition, but I think every human being on this earth has a propensity to addiction. I also believe that the only way to overcome and have victory over an unwanted addiction it to replace it with a God-glorifying, Christ-exalting addiction.
Christians need to move past the sickness/disease motif of addiction and call it what the Bible calls it: “Sin.” All sin promises some sort of pleasure, albeit temporary. When my pleasure and delight in Christ supersedes my delight for food, sports, etc. the lessor delights will subside. The Puritan, John Flavel writes:
But why should the pretended pleasure of sin allure you, when you know that unspeakably more real pleasure will arise from the mortification than can arise from the commission of sin? Will you prefer the gratification of some unhallowed passion, with the deadly poison which it will leave behind, to that sacred pleasure which arises from fearing and obeying God, complying with the dictates of conscience, and maintaining inward peace?
So how do I use the world in a way that it not worldly? First question: How will this affect my relationship with Christ; and Secondly, Will it control me, or will I be controlled by God’s Spirit?
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