“They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” 2 Peter 2:19

I am a reformed chocoholic. There was a time when I would eat pounds of chocolate each day simply to comfort myself through the stress of everyday life. This went on for many years until one day at a grocery checkout counter I was shocked how I couldn’t say no in the purchase of a chocolate bar. The reality sunk in that I was addicted to chocolate. I was a slave to my yearnings and desire for chocolate. I couldn’t say no. I had lost my freedom of choice. Instead of choosing whether or not I wanted chocolate, the choice was already made. I was a slave to my desire for comfort and the satisfaction that chocolate gave me. The price I paid was my freedom.

Many of you may laugh, but for a highly disciplined person (I thought) this was serious. I realized like the scripture above stated, I was enslaved to something else rather than to Christ. The problem wasn’t the chocolate. Like most things in this physical world, we use physical means to satisfy some inner spiritual hole. For me, that hole was the inability to cope with the everyday stress of work and life. Chocolate, with its built-in nutritional values seem to satisfy that inner me. Yet was there something deeper?

In analyzing the process, I realized that chocolate was the byproduct of stress caused by the challenges of work. What had to change for me to forgo my chocolate addiction? Jesus spoke about worry and stress as recorded in Scripture (Matt. 6:24-34). The bottom-line is having a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ at work. When I repented of my lack of faithfulness on the job, things began to change. I quit chocolate and discovered Spirit fruit. I learn to worry less and lean more on Him.

The more God’s Spirit empowers us, the less physical things are needed to be satisfied in this life. Today, I don’t miss the chocolate. I stay away from it because I would rather depend on Jesus. The more we lean on Christ and His finished work, the less enslaved we become to sin and outside cravings. The more He lives in us, the more freedom we have to live a fully, expressive life with the gifts and opportunities he bestows upon us. Now whenever anything comes between Him and me, it is quickly thrown away. For we now know that real freedom is experienced when we surrender our lives to the King.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Chair, Consultant, Encourager
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married

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