ADDICTIONS  AND  SINS  ARE  VERY  EXPENSIVE
Commentary 
Courtesy of Bill Ellis
Syndicated columnist

Any day you pick up a newspaper, listen to radio and television news,
you will probably hear
stories about human
habits and addictions
that are extremely
expensive.

Such words as habit,
dependency, craving,
enslavement,
obsession, habituation
and the “monkey on
your back” describe
addiction. An addict,
especially when related
to illegal drugs, may
be called a junkie,
dopehead, freak,
acidhead, meth head,
cokehead, pothead and
other slang or informal
words.

Sin is something that
exists in its use as a
noun. It is as
something that is done
in its verb form. We have, as a nation and civilization, tried to eliminate this concept from our vocabulary, but with minimal success. Sin, in any form, is rampant and destroying our nation and the world.

Sin is defined as an offense, transgression, evil, crime, felony, immoral act, vice, wickedness and an affront to God. D. H. Lawrence called it “The breaking of one’s own integrity.” Martin Luther, the German theologian and leader of the Protestant Reformation that changed the face of the world, said it was “A departure from God.”

When we describe the act of sin, we use such words as doing an evil deed, an immoral act, to break a commandment, offend God, commit a crime, do wrong, transgress and to stray from the path of righteousness.

Those who are addicted to alcohol are called alcoholics. We have superb programs to assist them in overcoming this expensive and enslaving habit. Alcoholics Anonymous is an organization that helps alcoholics and former alcoholics who seek “Through mutual counseling, to avoid lapses into drinking.” When I was a boy, they were called “drunks.” A simple name change does not cure the addiction.

In recent days, I have read about sexual addiction, which is a relatively new term, to describe infidelity, sexual lust, unfaithfulness, shameful conduct, sexual immorality, unrighteousness and wickedness.

We all have been shocked and felt like we were walking through an emotional minefield as one blow up after another involving nationally known leaders and celebrities has occurred. Nobody has an exemption from this kind of rotten behavior.  Every attempt has been made to excuse it, but none seems to work. It has involved senators, governors, would-be presidents, corporation executives, the greatest sports stars, ministers, college presidents, professors, nationally honored coaches, movie stars, musicians, bankers, editors, writers, doctors, lawyers – they are all included.

Trying to clean up the messes created by ungodly living has cost trillions of dollars.  Addictions and sins of all kinds have just about bankrupted our nation. We have reached the place where we are being compared with the two ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The combined scholarly work of G. Frederick Own and associates has concluded: “The exact location of these famous cities of God’s judgment and punishment remain unknown.”

Every person who has any interest in knowing the truth about the tremendous cost of addictions and sins should read the first chapter of the letter of Paul to all who were in Rome during the first century when the people were about as sinful as we could ever imagine.  He described the condition with these words: “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions.  For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  Likewise also the men . . . men with men committing what is shameful . . .” (Romans 1:26-27). For a clear understanding of these issues read carefully the first three chapters of Romans.

We cannot escape the consequences of addiction or sin. God has clearly stated: “. . . you may be sure that your sin will catch up with you” (Numbers 32:23 TLB). Before you become enslaved by any kind of addiction or sin, be sure to “count the cost.” 

© 2010 Wm. C. Ellis
All Rights Reserved



Bill Ellis
Award Winning Syndicated Columnist
P. O. Box 345
Scott Depot, WV 25560
Phone: 304-757-6089
www.BillEllis.net

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