Like Crack for Christians

It’s like crack for Christians.

When I produced my series of anti-meth documentaries called Crystal Darkness years ago I interviewed literally hundreds of recovering and current addicts. These were people who had allowed the drug to take them to the lowest of lows.

I spoke to men who had murdered others, boys who traded their bodies on the street and women who had sold their children to molesters to pay for their next fix. Yes…that depth of evil. In many instances these were people who were raised in good homes, were 4.0 students and productive members of society. The fall came quick.

In every case, it started with just a crack in the door. A little taste. Just a party. No big deal. Then one thing led to another and in a flash it had consumed their lives.

When it came to the subject of their drug dealer they all pretty much said the same thing: “I was so stupid, I really thought the dealer was my friend.”

I interviewed dozens of drug dealers who would laugh when they shared their marketing strategy. “I knew if I gave these kids a free sample they would be customers for life. Once I got these girls hooked they would do ANYTHING to get more.”

The truth is we are all fighting addictions to something. We all have our own inner battles. Our own weaknesses. Our Achilles heel.

And at times, we’ve all been stupid enough to believe the enemy–Satan–is our friend.

What’s the harm in small doses?

For men it may be the television in those lonely business travel hotels. For women it may be the books they choose to read. With ebooks today, no one can tell what you’re reading, which is part of the reason women are the fastest growing consumers of pornography.

It may be that little lie on the tax return. The dust gathering on our Bible. The flirting with that understanding person from work. The second martini (or maybe the first). The extra debt we put on our credit card. The skimping of our tithes. The vacation we take from church. The low priority we put on our small group attendance. The kids’ sports that keep inching everything else out.

It’s like crack for Christians. Just a little bit leads to destruction.

How do we deal with our enemy the drug dealer?

We take the example of Joseph in Genesis when Potiphar’s wife…who was rich and attractive…tried to seduce him.

Did Joseph just say “No”? He did better. He ran away.

Paul affirms this teaching in one of his letters:

18 “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18

Flee. Run away.

Jesus coached us on the subject as well.

30 “And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” Matt 5:30

The point is clear. If you can’t keep from watching the wrong programs on television, cancel the cable subscription or if necessary sell the idiot box in the next garage sale.

Delete those books you downloaded on Kindle. Get rid of the boat if it’s taking your family away from church.

In other words…run away.

I can’t tell you how many men I’ve counseled against developing uncomfortably strong relationships with other women who have responded by saying, “I don’t need to worry about any of that stuff, my marriage is strong.”

Arrogance is one of the worst drugs of all. Think you’re the exception to the rule?

Think again. It’s like crack for Christians.

As fathers and mothers and grandmothers and grandfathers we must be aware there are generations at stake in the way we lead our lives and how we model for those we love.

When we bring these weaknesses into our home, through our televisions, our habits, our language, our mentality and our beliefs, we leave the door cracked open for the enemy. We allow for a stronghold of darkness. We endanger our family.

We must be diligent. Relentless. Not in my house! Not for my family.

Yes…we’re in a time when churches are encouraging us to apply grace in liberal doses in all directions, dousing ourselves with it as if it’s fine french perfume.

But if we’re not careful we can mistake grace for ignorance. We must remember that in almost every case in which Jesus gave forgiveness in the Bible he followed it up with this:

“And sin no more.”

No we can’t be perfect in this lifetime. But we must allow ourselves to be perfected by our love and faithfulness to God.

It may mean cleaning house. Or running away from the drug dealer. It may not be easy.

But freedom for ourselves and those we love is always worth the fight.

Looking for more Michael? You might also enjoy The Terrible Truth About Christians

Michael K. Reynolds is a writer with more than two decades of experience in crafting fiction, non-fiction, journalism, copywriting and documentary production. He is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant of Books & Such Literary Agency.

He is the author of a series of Irish historical novels published by B&H Publishing Group. These highly acclaimed books are available in bookstores and libraries across the nation and beyond.