Religion - Everything in Moderation

Last night we continued in Matthew, but first we took a brief break and discussed 1 Corinthians Chapter 6 verse 12 where Paul says that all things are permissible, but not profitable and he will not be mastered by anything. To be mastered by something means you cannot say no to it. You have lost control. We should have only one master, God. Most things that people are mastered by are addictive behaviors such as drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, cutting, and eating disorders. Small steps one day lead to total surrender. We should be on the look out for addictive behaviors. Driving home after the lesson, I began to think about fasting. We are to fast so that we can leave things of this world behind and focus on God. Every time you have a hunger pang you are forced to think of the reason for your hunger, your commitment to God. Fasting does not need to be only for food though. During Lent many people "give up" something. It could be food, drink, hobby, or a behavior. If there is something in our lives to which we feel we may be addicted it would be a good idea to test it. Fast from that food, drink, hobby, or behavior for a week. Go without and see how you feel. Do you become very anxious and tense? Do you become angry at things that would normally not bother you? Do you feel that thing which you are fasting from calling you, luring you back in? If so, you may need to address the situation before it turns into your master. Addictions can hold a power of our lives. They can hold us in bondage. It could be television, sports, internet, gossip, fashion, or any number of normal things that are not bad for us in moderation. If we bow to them, however, we are not helping ourselves in this life or the next.