Hot Potato Two: Alcoholism, Etc.

Hot Potato Two: Alcoholism, Etc.

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. A man reaps
what he sows."1

It is a fact of life that our lifestyle affects our
life and that of our families.

Alcoholism, for example, affects millions of families
and individuals. It tears families apart and is
terribly damaging to children in their developmental
years when they have a parent or parents who are
alcoholics. It causes innumerable crimes including
rape, physical and sexual abuse, murder, robbery and
maimed lives and slaughter on our highways.

According to an article in Moody Monthly, homosexuals
account for half the nation's cases of syphilis, even
though they represent only a small percent of the
population. The reason? Promiscuity. Homosexuals are
also the principal victims of AIDS and other
infectious diseases, and are fifteen times more likely
to commit a murder. And according to the EP News
Service, the U.S. government spends more on AIDS
research than it does on heart diseases. This is in
spite of the fact that cardiac disorders claim forty
times more deaths than AIDS.

And Pulpit Helps reports that 30 percent of all cancer
deaths are related to smoking. There is also a 70
percent greater risk of heart disease among smokers
than among nonsmokers.

God has a sound reason for all of his laws--including
the ones that apply to the sins of the spirit such as
emotional dishonesty, jealousy, envy, malice, hatred,
resentment, greed, lust, an unforgiving spirit, and so
on. All of these are damaging to the body as well as to
the spirit just as much as cigarette smoking, and
perhaps even more damaging. It's good to keep this in
mind when we judge other sinners. Whatever it is that
we sow, that's what we reap. That's the law of the
harvest. And God never goes against his own laws.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to realize that
all of your laws are for my protection and that of my
loved ones. And please help me to abide by them so
that I can lead a healthier, happier life and be a
good example for my children and my children's
children. Thank you for hearing and answering my
prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Galatians 6:7 (NIV).

<)))><

* * * * * * *

Daily Encounter is published at no charge by
ACTS International, a non-profit organization,


Copyright (c) 2009 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.