I am about to finish up reading a book that was written by on old acquaintance. He and I went to the same small West Texas high school, but he is several years younger than me. And, we have a kinda sorta family tie; his oldest brother is married to my cousin. Mom had told me about his book, and after he and I found each other on FaceBook, I decided to order his book, and give it a read. His name is David Erik Jones, and his book is, My Struggle, Your Struggle: Breaking Free from Habitual Sin.
I believe David has done a wonderful job of describing the habitual sin that he has struggled with for most of his life. He lets us know that even though he has admitted his sin, and confronted his sin, he still has to be aware of its effect on his life and how easy it would be to allow it to consume him again. He has come to realize that he has to allow God to strengthen him daily through prayer and scripture. He has come to realize that he needs to lean on others for strength through accountability.
David’s habitual sin is pornography. He handles the topic with grace while openly and honestly laying the facts of its damage to him, and others on the table. But, David also does a great job of taking the Habitual Sin problem to everyone. You do not have to be addicted to porn in order to learn from his message, anything that is controlling your life, anything that you are a slave too, can be, and most likely is, your Habitual Sin. One of the things David writes about is how he was always able to somehow justify his desire to look at one more picture. How he was always able to rationalize that he was not doing anything wrong. It may be easy for you to rationalize that you don’t need to read his book, because you are not interested in the least with porn. It may be easy for you to justify the ball and chain you carry around because it is one of those “little sins.”
Friends, do you tell lies throughout the day without even thinking about it? Do you take things, even small office supplies home with you from work because you feel entitled? Do you talk about others and their problems constantly with the attitude that they are somehow inferior? Have you worked a job for years that pays you in cash so you feel that Uncle Sam doesn’t have to know about it? My point is this. I believe that anything, anything, I do that controls me, anything I do that is against what God would be pleased with, is a sin, and that’s what qualifies me as a prime candidate for considering what David has written in his book.
David has strengthened me by his message. He has helped me to reconsider my habits. He has encouraged me to allow a greater presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. Because of his simple approach, yet powerful message, he has caused me to re-assess my priorities. I believe his experience with Breaking Free from Habitual Sin will help you too.
Till next time,
Grump