God Sets Us Free from Inner Hedonism

"From whence cometh wars and fighting among you?  Come they not hence, even, of your lusts that war in your members."  James 4:1

This verse must be studied in great detail if one is to profit from its riches.  The effort to study it will prove exceedingly worthwhile to the spiritual one.  James has located for the believer the primary source of conflict and unhappiness in life.  Amazingly, the source is not environmental-the nemesis is menacingly internal. Additionally, James wants us to know that the source is dynamic, and is never benign or inactive.

The servitude to the war within may be disguised, but the veil is very thin, and over time the person who has allowed his servitude to lust patterns within to fester and grow will find that the mask or veil will harden into a concrete mask of wanton self-betrayal.

It is not difficult to spot such persons, and the other symptomatic behaviors that emerge from the original condition.  Lust patterns grow.  They are gnawing monsters with appetites that are insistent and insatiable. This is a picture of active idolatry and its relentless lord-ship over the soul.

Once again, James identifies that such idolatry can be found in the hearts of believers.  Or those who profess to be believers.  'By their fruit you shall know them' are highly important words to remember.  In other words, watch what people do and you will know the person.

James' use of the term 'lust' is actually the Greek word 'hedonist.'  He reveals that he is conversant with behavior that is radically self-serving, and therefore undermining to the individual.  Hedonist is defined as readiness for all pleasure.  There are no boundaries for the hedonist individual.  Or so he believes because he  has had to arrest his conscience in order to freely explore the world of sensual pleasure.  In order to know what people needed by way of salvation God had to speak to people where they lived.

Sensual pleasure is a devilish bondage.  The individual so engaged will not be set free without extraordinary assistance.  Some are in denial of their bondage insisting that it is not so bad.  Others have destroyed both themselves and loved ones because of illicit desires.  James insists on having believers know that the war within is really war.  The person who is taken over and subsequently controlled by his inner lust patterns will not find either peace or relief until he returns to God.

Christian 'Hedonism' is a doctrinal and spiritual contradiction.  However, there are many walking contradictions among us who are trying to walk the walk and talk the talk of the faith, and yet who live under the merciless and hostile reign of the god hedonism.

There is only one way to secure freedom and walk in peace in this life, and that is to come to the one and only true God and allow him to set you free from depraved sensuality.

Are you filled with shame because you have lived in slavery to hedonism?  You are not alone in your struggles.  There are many people who have found themselves seduced and betrayed by hedonism.  However, they found freedom in the Iesou.

He gave his life a ransom for many and that includes you.  Come to him today and be set free.  Blessings to you.

For more information about Dr. Rich and his teaching ministry, please follow his blog and visit his website.