Mike Farrell - Dismissed: Lessons Learned from Sin Addiction

Paralyzed by Sin

Paralysis , noun [Gr. to loosen, dissolve or weaken.] Palsy; the loss of the power of muscular motion, or of the command of the muscles.

Websters 1828 Dictionary

P aralysis inhibits every aspect of healthy muscle movement, restricting ones abilities to move freely. Paralysis even inhibits healthy spiritual cognitive thought as nerves, tendons, and skeletal structures are compromised. This inability prevents an extremity from receiving the necessary instructions as severed nerves cannot properly ignite the electrical spark in the synaptic process. No matter how determined or how much thought or effort one puts into this process, it will never happen, especially if those nerves are permanently and irreparably severed. However, there are also those times where paralysis is temporary and movement can occur through intensive surgery, physical therapy, allowance of time for the swelling to subside, sheer determination, or even supernatural miracles which are performed by the hand of God.

Our lives are in many aspects like this paralysis. When we yield to the wicked circumstances of sin, we may have become so hardened by personal or interpersonal experiences which sometimes permanently sever our conscience and how we choose to react to and confront the sin of addiction. Sometimes these moments of paralysis are only temporary, like during a job loss, financial crisis, or death of a loved one which makes us question what God is doing. We are like the nation of Israel that roamed the desert because of their questioning what God was doing. We have our moments of paralysis, pity parties, where we ask God disrespectfully, Why? I thought he took care of his children. Its okay to ask why. But its not okay to focus on it.

We all too often forget we are a creation of God and are among those who have the opportunity to be adopted and included into the family of Godthrough salvation! We all too often forget he wants only the best for usas he provided Adam and Eve at the dawn of creation. They lived in the most perfect environment man has ever known, a sinless, perfect environment, yet they too became paralyzed by the actions of the great accuser of man and their decision to not do the right thing. Their paralysis sank all mankind into an eternal sin paralysis that required a supernatural miracle of salvation for a cure! Ever since that time, man has roamed aimlessly searching for this perfect and elusive environment through reliance upon their own efforts (education, welfare, environmentalism, humanism, etc.) to preempt the penalty of our sin of disobedience. Man, until he realizes he is impotent, blind, halt, and erringly dependent upon his own abilities to overcome his sin addiction, will remain with the multitudes waiting for the moving of the water (Jn 5:3)but unable to receive the miracle in his own abilities, eventually fading off into eternity, sentenced into an eternal hell.

When we view the genesis of sin, we find that both man and woman were thrust together, feeling the same consequences of their sin, which was prompted by their united failure to comply with what God commanded them to performIf you love me keep my commandments (Jn 14:15, 15:10). Sometimes our sin is a single effort of debauchery, while in other situations we have a companion in our sinful acts that keep us firmly grounded in sin. But, nonetheless, sin and its consequences are dealt with individually; and there is no one to blame but ourselves when we eventually get discovered.

We come to find that since creation in the garden of perfection, even the great accuser of man found the only two humans in existence to prey upon. With these two, he was able to devour as a roaring lion (1 Pt 5:8) the flesh of man, at first individually and then collectively. We can only imagine the conversation that isnt recorded in the Bible between God and the accuser, but I imagine it would have been similar to the conversation recorded in Job 1:8 and 2:3 where God said twice, Hast thou considered my servant? But, unlike Job, both Adam and Eve succumbed to the wiles of Satan (the great accuser of man) and chose to trust in their own knowledge, abilities, and efforts instead of heeding Gods Word thou shalt surely die (Gn 2:17). Think back to your own actions when you first started your personal route to sin addiction. It started off small, while you were in a position of vulnerability, anxious to tempt the hand of God unknowingly because you were able to silence the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The voice in your head said, Yeah, hath God said Ye shall not surely die? Well, maybe not those words exactly, but it was something like that. Maybe it was Its only once or No one will ever know; or maybe you just succumbed to peer pressure like Adam and lacked the courage to say No, its not right, thus saith the Lord!

This conversation set in motion the initial steps toward the glorious path of redemptionthrough Jesus Christwhen Adam and Eve were exposed to the consequences of their sin. When the eyes of them both were opened they knew they were naked, just like an adulterous couple after they have completed their sinful act. They, in their complete nakedness, were thrust into action to cover their sin, working in their own effort rather than immediately calling upon their Creator and asking for forgiveness. You see, sin paralyzes our thoughts and thus impedes our abilities to take the necessary corrective actions toward a merciful God who is willing to forgive. Sewing fig leaves is a works-based salvation that will fail. We sew a string of lies and deceit to cover our sins, and this gives us a false hope that all is good. Its in that false doctrine of deceit that a new life of lies is birthed, and when fully grown, it will still bear the consequences which must be dealt with from a God of justice.

Their worthless actions are so indicative of our own sin nature as they went on to hide from their sin too. Think about it. Did you not go run and hide when you were exposed? Didnt you want to just disappear when confronted, by a stranger, about your sinful actions? We are just like children who hide from their parents, afraid of the consequences of their disobedience. No one wants to be exposed in their wrongdoing, and we are all afraid of the penalties that will be imposed; justice must occur! However, we must remember our God who is omnipotent is always with us and is eager to hear our voice asking for forgiveness! God walks to and fro throughout all the universe and is especially attentive where his children are. He sees all and calls out to the his creation, Where art thou? (Gn 3:9). You see, God is concerned with his most valuable creationman! Although he knew all along where they were, he desires man to come to him for repentance when wrongdoing occurshe desires this because he wants our love , faith , and fellowship . The God who is always with us is the same God who is always listening for the voice of his children!

Similar to our own sinful actions, we are fearful of the consequences as we also attempt to make every effort to hide not only from God but also from those we trust, love, and respect and most importantly the ones most willing to help us overcome any problem! The sad thing is, until a dreadful event, caused by our sinful actions, occurs, we do not truly realize just how important that fellowship of genuine love is. When we wholeheartedly realize the pain, sorrow, heartache, and suffering our actions caused our loved ones, the healing process can truly begin. Think of the Lord and the heartache he felt when soon after his best and most favored creation cheated with his enemyand twisted his words of caution!

In our sin, we close our ears to the calls from our loved ones and ignore their calls as we roam our homes and the streets, bars, or other places men choose to hide from them. I heard thy voice but I chose to ignore is the banner slogan of someone addicted to sin. As we hear the voice nearing our secret hidden position of sin, we grow afraid and become paralyzed with fear, guilt, and panic; and then, anxiety isolates us in our secluded position where we think we are hidden in our security, thinking No one will find me (Gn 3:10). We may be able to hide our actions from men, but God is looking from his throne above. He is high and lifted up with a great view on thingsGod is always with us!