BREAKOUT | Crosstraining 8.30.12

Ephesians 4:25-28 When I was in High School, I would always try to find ways of getting out of being in class or doing work. I would come up with convincing excuses and elaborate plans to avoid class time. Looking back, I realize that I would have been much better off (and would have gotten a lot better grades) if I had spent that time and effort actually doing work instead of trying to weasel out of it. In Ephesians 4, the Bible says that the person who has been stealing should stop stealing and do work. They should do something useful with the talents they have been using for something that is negative. Anytime you try to remove something negative in your life, you have to replace it with something positive. You have to fill the void. If you trying to break free from an addiction or unhealthy habit, you need something positive to occupy the time and effort that you put into those negative things you’ve been doing. Pick out something positive you can start doing today (like volunteer at church or a nonprofit, helping someone you know, or even learning something new) to fill the void left by the addiction or habits you’re trying to get rid of. Not only do you need to fill the void with something positive, you need to fill the void with your relationship with Christ. It doesn’t matter how strong of a person you are, your addiction is stronger than you are (or you would have already quit). You need the power that only comes from a close relationship with God to truly break out.]]>