Edward T. Welch On Spirituality And Addictions

From the desk of Edward T. Welch:

If we allow the Bible to reveal the unseen spiritual realities behind addictions, we suddenly realize that addictions are more than self-destructive behaviors. They are violations of God’s laws: His laws that call us to avoid drunkenness and immoderate self-indulgence (Rom. 13:13), His law that calls us to love others (1 John 4:7), and His law that calls us to live for Him rather than ourselves (1 Cor. 10:31). This means that addiction is more about someone’s relationship with God than it is about biology. It reveals our allegiances: what we want, what we love, whom and what we serve. It brings us to that all-important question, “Will you live for the fulfillment of your desires or for God? (Blame it on the Brain? P&R Publishing, 1998, p. 193)

What Do We Do With The Time That Is Given Us (Even Dark Times)?

Quoting J.R.R. Tolkien:

[Gandalf said], “‘Always after a defeat and a respite, the Shadow takes another shape and grows again.’ ‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo. ‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. And already, Frodo, our time is beginning to look black. The enemy is fast becoming very strong.’” (“The Fellowship of the Ring”)

Praying For Others Glorifies God

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)

All thinking Christians should agree that they would rather cling to the righteousness of Christ than their own. Therefore, all who are intimate with God in prayer soon learn the wisdom of dependence upon God’s power, wisdom, and love. Such men and women of prayer love to read and hear the Gospel. It is well established that what a man loves, he is. If you put a Bible in any man’s hand, and he lets his Bible lie unopened and unread: if it has no attraction to him then, mourn at what he has neglected and lost forever.

Yet, there are other men and women who know the joy and importance of praying and reading the Scriptures. You could not please them more than to ask them to pray for you. If they knew your need beforehand they will already be praying for you before you have the opportunity to ask. Even if you were their enemy, they will have prayed for you. To pray is a wonderful thing. It recognizes God’s goodness, His pure love, and submits to His good will. The true prayer closet and secret place of God and His saints is wherever the Holy Spirit has a man all to himself in the sanctuary of his heart. If you could see the man of secret prayer, you would not believe your eyes and ears. You would see him on his knees moving heaven and earth.

Since the beginning, it has been the people of low esteem in the eyes of others; the poor and the meek, and the down-trodden who have had secret power and privilege with God to prevail in prayer. What a wondrous privilege to be an intercessor before the throne of God bringing petitions on behalf of others. Such men and women bring glory and honor to God.