King James Version
The Book of Galatians
Chapter 05
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Commentary
by G. Neil Armstrong
This morning, as I began to pray in Face Time, I thought about the sins of yesterday. Not only is the sin attacking my physical body, I struggle spiritually also. Even more than that, Pam and I are financially challenged now. The sin we have indulged in is very expensive. Its cost is greater than what might be seen at first glance. In fact, the cost might even be greater than I know right now.
A few weeks ago I began to study Galatians 5. I don’t know how far I have gotten into this chapter in the past, but this time I felt very “aligned” even in the very first verse:
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Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. |
The first thing I notice is the word “Stand”. Last night I wasn’t standing. Not literally, nor was I standing spiritually, either. “Stand fast” means to stand solid, or so “fasten” myself in my stand against the sin, with the liberty Christ provided for us. This verse tells us to NOT become entangled again with the yoke of bondage. In my specific situation, the entanglement of bondage is financial.
There are physical and mental costs associated directly with drug and alcohol use/abuse. It’s obvious enough that the financial cost is too great for us. Lately I have been digging deep sores into my skin. The sores are enough now, so people will surely notice if I don’t stop what I am doing. That’s only the small part of the whole problem.
I find it a challenge if I want to wake up early (or on time) to meet my daily obligations. I find it a challenge if I want to make it through the full day, completing the work I set out to complete. I am often more hungry than I can satisfy with sufficient rations. Often times I must eat far more than I normally need, and far more than we can afford to buy. This is likely because my body has an accelerated healing process and that healing requires the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrition so that it can sustain the cell structure involved in this accelerated healing.
I don’t know a lot about the mental challenges I will face and am facing as a consequence with drugs and alcohol. I know some things that are obvious. I get tired even when I know I have eaten and had enough rest. That is likely a mental challenge caused by the drugs. I know that it is difficult to have a good attitude, and to maintain a good mood. It is especially difficult to keep the verbal attacks away from my mouth. This verbal attacking is evidence that my heart is full of damaging thoughts. I know that I need more Word so that there is less negative things dwelling in my heart. When my mouth opens, only life giving words should EVER come out. This means, ONLY life giving thoughts should ever be in my heart. G. Neil Armstrong (September 12, 2013 – 5:05 AM)
