We Need Each Other!

How serious are you about breaking free from the temptations and/or addictions in your life?

God has wired us to need each other to grow and this is why God saw fit to give us each other in his body because he knew that we would need each other to break free of habits and hang-ups and hurts.  For years we have heard sermons on Heb.10:25 to not abandon assembling ourselves together, but have you ever wondered why this passage is in the bible?  It's not there to "force" us to go to church or have us feel hell-bound if we miss a service. It is there because we need accountability in our life. The very thing that you want least (having to be around all them church people when I really want to be doing _____) s the very thing you need most. We need caring people who are willing to check up on you, and you need a group that supports you and encourages you to change.

Even the Wisdom scripture teaches us that  Eccl.4:9,10 "Two people are better than one because together they have a good reward for their hard work. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" You need somebody in your life to help you with the biggest habits in your life that you want to change, because you simply are not going to change them on your own. It is a myth and a lie that says you’re going to get to a point in your spiritual life where you’re not tempted. In fact, the more mature you become, the more Satan is going to put you on his “most wanted” list. We all know 1 Jn.1:9, "God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from what we've done wrong." The truth is, if we were more consistent in confessing our temptations then we wouldn't have to confess our sins. To do this there has to be an atmosphere of trust and a willingness to share. There is responsibility of the one who has admitted being tempted or having committed the wrong as well as on those who are made aware of those things.  Paul states, "Brothers and sisters, if a person gets trapped by wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should help that person turn away from doing wrong. Do it in a gentle way. At the same time watch yourself so that you also are not tempted. Help carry each other's burdens. In this way you will follow Christ's teachings. (Gal.6:1,2)." 

What’s the fulfillment of Jesus' teachings? Love your neighbor as yourself (Mt.22:37-40). How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? By helping each other through temptation. By helping one another be consistent in the changes they are wanting to make. By helping each other break bad habits and start good habits. James 5:13-15, "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the leaders of the church, and let them pray over him,  and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much."

Jim