Managing Unruly Passions

Samson was chosen to be special from the moment of conception. His mother was apparently sterile, but an angel came to communicate the wonderful news of Samson’s coming birth. The instructions the angel gave his mother parallel what an expectant mother should receive from her doctor today.

Here are the angel’s wise words: “Do not drink wine or other fermented drinks and do not partake of anything unclean because you will conceive and give birth to a son.” At this point the angel’s additional instructions were unique for Sampson. He would be set apart by God primarily for the deliverance of God’s people from their enemies.

Tragically, Samson was afflicted by passions that were contrary to God’s purpose and would eventually result in his tragic death. Unruly passions thrust him into a state of self-absorption that culminated in forfeiting God’s purpose for his life. God’s desire is that none should perish, but all should repent and be saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Would you do that?  

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The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins.

~2 Peter 3:9 Good News Bible

Jesus said: My Father wants everyone who sees the Son to have faith in him and to have eternal life. Then I will raise them to life on the last day.

~John 6:40 Contemporary English Version

Passion's Poison: Accept the Antidote!

Samson, an Old Testament character from the book of Judges, is known for his physical strength. He is notorious for having been a passionate person determined to get his way regardless of consequences. His obsession to satisfy his passions is what C. S. Lewis branded as “sweet, sweet poison.”

Samson's passionate determination to get his way is analogous to Adam and Eve’s experience in the Garden of Eden. The fruit on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil looked enticing, but the moment it was tasted, the consequences became poisonous, just as C. S. Lewis predicted about such an obsession. As their passionate obsession took control, their innocence evaporated.

Adam and Eve discovered that an obsession may promise more than can be delivered. Even with godly passions we can be pulled into an obsession that's based exclusively on the need for self-satisfaction. So who shall deliver us from this self-inflicted poison? “Thank God for Jesus Christ who redeems and saves us.” Christ Jesus is the antidote for passion’s poison.

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With my whole heart I agree with the Law of God. But in every part of me I discover something fighting against my mind, and it makes me a prisoner of sin that controls everything I do. What a miserable person I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die? Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me.

~Romans 7:22-25 Contemporary English Version

Called to Share God's Gifts

Oliver Wendell Holmes, U. S. Supreme Court Justice in the early twentieth century, declared his passion for making the best of life. He emphatically declared,  "All life consists of passion and action" and requires that you "share this passion and action" for the good of mankind to prevent being judged as having lived for nothing. He lived to honor both God and man. 

Holmes stated that as a youth he was moved to make his mark on the world. He became a physician to help others live healthier lives. Paralleling this passion was a sense of duty he expressed in these words, "The rule of joy and the law of duty are one and the same." How would you explain your passionate joy for life?

           

God called Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of bondage in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. He maintained this passion through discouragements and personal failures. Today Moses is honored as being a priest and prophet as well as for writing the first five books of our Bible. God will give you passion for fulfilling his purpose for you.  

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He saved us and called us to be holy, not because we did anything, but because he planned a gift of his love and gave it to us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

~2 Timothy 1:9 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

Each one, as a good manager of God’s different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gift he [or she] has received from God.

~1 Peter 3:10 Good News Bible

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, take a hard look at Jesus. He's the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do.  

~Hebrews 3:1 New International Version; The Message

Possessed by Passions or Passionate for God?

Jesus was not confused about God’s purpose for him. He refused to yield to anything that would prevent him from saving mankind. On one occasion he told his mother; “I must be about my father’s business.” Do you  become confused about being passionate for doing God’s work and being possessed with this world’s passions?

The Apostle Peter suggests you are a captive to whatever holds you. What has taken you captive? Passion has the capacity to reach the depths of your soul and connect with what makes you a captive to sin. The Apostle Paul encouraged that you can be delivered from sin by submitting completely to the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Paul encouraged that we become captives to righteousness, indeed completely yoked to God. That’s what gave him passion for preaching the gospel throughout the known world. In this position we possess peace and joy. Have you considered becoming yoked to God? Ask him to reveal to you just what that would include.  

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Now you have been set free from sin, and you are God’s slaves. This will make you holy and will lead you to eternal life. Sin pays off with death. But God’s gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.

~Romans 6:22-23 Contemporary English Version

Positives and Negatives of Passion

In today’s culture, the word passion is loaded with sexual implications. Yet Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross are specifically designated as “the passion of Christ.” His determination to complete all God entrusted to him was his all-consuming passion. Passion motivates people to excel.

Without question, passion has the power to persuade a person to strive either for righteousness and productivity or for evil. It's possible to have more than one passion, each simultaneously striving for dominance. Alexander Pope, the English poet, describes a dominant "ruling passion that has the potential to conquer reason and logic." 

          Alexander Pope knew if passion overrules self-control, godly values can be overruled. The Apostle Paul offers encouragement: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful nature with its passions and desires by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.” God gives hope and power to those who maintain this objective.  

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I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to.  

~Galatians 5:16 The Living Bible

Consider yourself dead to worldly contacts: have nothing to do with sexual immorality, dirty-mindedness, uncontrolled passion, evil desire, and the lust for other people’s goods, which amounts to idolatry.

~Colossians 3:5 Phillips – The New Testament in Modern English

Avoid "Joy Stealers"

An outstanding attribute of a person’s identity is choosing to be a giver of joy. Do you consider yourself a “joy giver”? If not, giving joy could be an objective you begin to practice for the benefit of others and for yourself as well. To achieve this goal, confront any attitude that holds others at an emotional distance making joy-giving impossible.

 

Joy and a critical attitude are incompatible. To give joy, banish any semblance of criticism and negativity from your thoughts and feelings. These are “joy stealers”. Keep joy consistently in your thoughts by sharing it with others as opportunities arise. A rose isn’t an expression of love until it’s given with love.

Refuse to be preoccupied with resentment. Instead, present these thoughts and feelings to Christ Jesus, and he will empower you with enough grace to love others regardless of their offense. To increase your feelings of joy, continually express thanksgiving for what God has provided. Rejoice always in the love and mercy of Christ Jesus.  

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Don’t criticize and speak evil about each other, dear brothers [and sisters]. If you do, you will be fighting against God’s law of loving one another, declaring it is wrong. But your job is not to decide whether this law is right or wrong, but to obey it.

~James 4:11 The Living Bible

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

~Hebrews 12:14-15 New Living Translation

It is wise to be patient and show what you are like by forgiving others.

~Proverbs 19:11 Contemporary English Version

Free to Change – but Hold God's Hand

We’re occasionally given the privilege of making a new beginning. My grandfather would periodically sell his possessions and move to another farm, hoping for better crops and a brighter future for his family. While we are at liberty to make needed changes, it takes a serious sacrifice to make needed change become a reality.

As commitment empowers change, hard work and consistency ensure its success. Listen to this challenge: "Always act as if the future depends on what you do now." You can move forward to overcome most obstacles when God is the source of insight and wisdom for your decisions, even when being successful appears problematic.

With God, all things are possible. God gave Joshua what seemed to be an impossible task of conquering the Promised Land for the Israelites. However, God promised, “I will be with you and you will prosper and be successful, so make sure you do not neglect to obey the commandments I gave to Moses.” Included here are God’s promise and your commitment.  

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But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way, who can’t see where they’re going.

I’ll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country.

I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don’t fall into the ditch.

These are the things I’ll be doing for them – sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute!

~Isaiah 42:16 The Message

If you do what the Lord wants, he will make certain each step you take is sure. 

The Lord will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won’t fall.

~Psalm 37:23-24 Contemporary English Version

Your Life: Abuse It or Preserve It?

There is a duplicity about human nature that’s difficult to understand. We do everything possible to preserve our life, for without life nothing else is possible. Yet we devise ways to abuse the life God has given us to celebrate and enjoy. We abuse our bodies by overindulging them beneath the guise of experiencing joy and celebrating.

The Apostle Paul asked this grappling question, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit whom you receive from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” Thinking of your body as God’s dwelling place is reason to be committed to keeping it healthy. 

Robert Browning proposed, “How good is man’s life, the mere living! How fit to employ the heart and the soul and the senses forever in joy!” As we remain faithful to Christ in honoring and respecting our bodies as his dwelling place, we’re then invited to enter into his joy. Celebrate God’s gift of life with joy and thanksgiving.  

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You realize, don’t you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God’s temple, you can be sure of that. God’s temple is sacred – and you, remember, are the temple.

~1 Corinthians 3:16-17 The Message

So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.

~Romans 12:1 Good News Bible

Freedom of Choice

Our Constitution guarantees a broad spectrum of freedoms. Every Fourth of July we celebrate the ultimate sacrifices men and women made to gain and sustain these freedoms. At this moment many serve in harm’s way to protect those privileges. Realizing how God has blessed us, we should celebrate with thanksgiving.

One of our most valued freedoms is the freedom to make choices, but some things can’t be chosen. Our biological parents and genetic make-up were not within our power to choose. The environment where we grew up and the ways in which we were parented were also beyond our choice, but every day we do make critically important choices.

Freedom of choice is an inherent source of joy and a treasured reason to celebrate. Psalm 66 poses this invitation and choice. “Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works are on man’s behalf. Come and rejoice in him.” When you choose Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have reason to rejoice.  

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Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

~John 8:34-36 New Living Translation

Has Your Joy Been Eclipsed?

Everyone longs for joy when it has been eclipsed by distractions. We mistake joy for pleasure and happiness, but joy’s deeper roots keep it alive when drought cycles through our lives. Joy can be overshadowed by distractions that are in conflict with Christian values.

C. S. Lewis explains how personal choice affects lasting joy. “In the final analysis there are two kinds of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done’ and those to whom God will say, ‘Your will has been done’. Lewis then adds, “The souls who seriously seek joy will find it. To those who knock on the door of joy, it will be opened.”

David asked God to create in him a pure heart, to fill his mind with clean thoughts and right desires, to restore in him the joy of his salvation and the will to obey God. Confessing your sins permits God to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Now you may come into his presence to celebrate with joy and thanksgiving.  

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Sincerity and truth are what you require, O God; fill my  mind with your wisdom.

Remove my sin, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; and though you have crushed me and broken me, I will be happy once again.

~Psalm 51:6-8 Good News Bible

Changing Times – in His Hands

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon contrasts opposite times we will go through in our lifetimes. “There is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to harvest, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” God has a plan and timing for each event that intercepts our lives.

A few years ago on a mission trip to Mexico, we had some free time to go sight-seeing and shopping. As we prepared to pay for our selections, one of our friends discovered someone had stolen her wallet. Her joy had also been stolen and replaced by anger and disbelief.

To my friend’s credit, she reclaimed the joy of serving those to whom we came to minister. Be on guard to inadvertently stealing someone’s joy by permitting a negative attitude and disposition to infiltrate who you are and your ministry for Christ Jesus. Accepting God’s perfect timing for everything is the secret to activating the joy Jesus gives. 

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I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.

~Psalm 31:14-15 New International Version

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

~Psalm 28:7 New Living Translation

Scattered Sorrows and Blended Joy

Celebrations are designed for the explicit purpose of expressing joy. God created human beings with an aptitude for happiness and joy. An old proverb proclaims, “One joy scatters a hundred sorrows.” Everyone has observed couples who share a special blend of chemistry that sparks joy when they’re together.

 

Experiencing this blend of chemistry creates a longing to meet again to feel the happiness of being together. As the relationship matures, it’s only natural for them to plan a wedding to celebrate their love and affection. Each following year a special celebration acknowledges their enduring love for each other.

As Jesus prepared his disciples for his crucifixion and death, he promised their grief would turn to joy, equal to a woman’s pain in childbirth being replaced with joy and delight when she sees and holds her new baby. Jesus said, “May my joy be in you so that your joy will be made full.” Praise God that joy cannot be eclipsed by grief.  

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Then the young women will dance and be happy,

and men, young and old, will rejoice.

I will comfort them and turn their mourning into joy,

their sorrow into gladness.

~Jeremiah 31:13 Good News Bible

Grief and Sadness Immersed in Joy and Gladness

Preparing to celebrate an important event takes time and energy as well as love and devotion. When Jesus was nearing the end of his earthly ministry, a woman who perhaps intuitively knew he would soon give his life for mankind’s sins, demonstrated her love and devotion by washing his feet with an expensive perfume.

I recently attended the funeral of a friend to celebrate his life. Loved ones and friends expressed sincere grief along with their joy and gladness, for he had been an abundant source of joy and comfort for them. The fundamental essence of grief is being allowed to express thanksgiving along with great sorrow.

True joy permeates the depths of the human spirit and survives in spite of our deepest sorrows and troubles. Psalm 16:11 tells us, “My heart is glad, and I celebrate because you my Lord have made known to me the path of life. You have filled me with joy and faith.” This can be your objective as well as your assurance.  

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My friends, we want you to know how it will be for those followers who have already died. Then you won’t grieve over them and be like people who don’t have any hope. We believe that Jesus died and was raised to life. We also believe that when God brings Jesus back again, he will bring with him all who had faith in Jesus before they died.

~1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 Contemporary English Version

You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance; you have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with joy.

~Psalm 30:11 Good News Bible