" Aha!", I've made a great discovery! The lack of discipline is a form of slavery!
When we cannot or will not say "no" to something, we become shackled by it.
We become like a tree without a root system that the wind can bend in any
direction, that includes toppling over. Temptations come, don't get me wrong,
I am well aware of that, but the strength to stand firm and fight back is a discipline
many people fail to learn.
I Corinthians 9:27 speaks of how Paul says he has to make himself do what is
right. I Corinthians 10:13 speaks even more firmly: "There hath no temptation
taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer
you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make
a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
Noticed two things about that verse. One, it doesn't say "temptation given you"
but it does say "temptation taken you". We take it upon ourselves and God gives
the escape route from it. That is number two. God doesn't give us an escape
route that is worse than the temptation itself. He doesn't give you the idea of
escaping into alcohol or drugs. That is not what is meant there. People
respond to pain physically or mentally with "escapes". A weak person will
seek a quick "cure" like abusing substances. A strong person will accept
God's escape plan - an escape where we are the conquerors.
John 8:32 says, "You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free."
