How Are Greed and Possessiveness Interrelated?

Greed reaches far beyond grasping for wealth. What gives greed power is the desire and will to possess. When a man or woman is too possessive, it equates to being excessively controlling, which creates suffering for all involved

The issue is lack of trust that evolves into a vicious circle, sometimes called a vicious cycle. Lack of trust creates the need to control, which limits freedom of choice. Eventually, conflict and crisis become the framework for a temporary solution until the vicious circle is regenerated.

Who can tolerate extreme possessiveness? Healthy relationships benefit each person’s need to be trusted and respected. In Mark 7:20-22 Jesus said what comes out of a person makes them unclean, like evil thoughts, deceit, envy, and greed. All of these are forgivable when they are surrendered to the cleansing power of God and are replaced with trust and respect as well as the choice to freely love one another.  

          

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Christ [Jesus] has set you free. This means you are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don’t ever become slaves…again.

~Galatians 5:1 Contemporary English Version

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What Gives Addictions Power?

When I was an adolescent, my mother warned me about the dangers of addictions and how difficult it is to overcome them. My father began smoking as a preteen and developed a cough which was a prelude to emphysema that eventually killed him. He felt powerless to break the habit until it was too late.

Unfortunately, so many of today’s youth think current addictions are cool. While you may not be addicted to alcohol, tobacco, or other habits that can be detrimental to your physical and emotional health, there are behavior patterns that are embarrassing or even frustrating to you. For some people lying, being untruthful, and fabricating falsehoods can become habitual. 

The power to break habits comes by permitting Jesus Christ to create in you a new way of thinking that has control over the old thought patterns. This is done by being honest about your habits and then permitting God to give you the tools to make significant life changes.  

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You were doing so well until someone made you turn from the truth. And that person certainly was not sent by the one who chose you…My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don’t use your freedom to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.

~Galatians 5:7-8,13 Contemporary English Version 

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How Does Temptation View Happiness?

If today you could choose between financial security and happiness,  how would you choose? That choice might seem easy. However, the first option has a possible underlying component of worry and stress attached to it, whereas happiness doesn’t necessarily mean the fulfillment of all your dreams.

The first option could open the door to temptation by permitting the desire for wealth to gain control so that you become obsessed with what wealth provides. Jesus warned against holding on to lustful thoughts and feelings, for grave consequences may have to be endured.

Temptation presents a false view of happiness. The desire for wealth may distort how the future and freedom are perceived. Galatians 5:1 offers encouragement. “It is for your freedom that Christ has set you free. So stand firm and never permit yourself to be burdened by slavery’s  shackles.” You can trust Jesus to provide your need for lasting joy and security.                 

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Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him.

~James 1:12 Good News Bible

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Breaking Chains

Forgiveness breaks the chains of our impulse to retaliate against an aggressor. We’re automatically elevated onto a higher level of functioning the moment forgiveness is activated. Giving up bitterness along with the need to punish is a clear demonstration of forgiveness in action. An attitude of forgiveness produces hope for future happiness.



The desire to forgive is empowering. It gives up the demand for retaliation. Once a commitment has been made to forgive, memories of the hurtful behavior may surface to obstruct the commitment to forgive. A key step in giving or receiving forgiveness is absorbing the pain that must be endured until it is cleansed from your heart and soul.

To break the chains of anger and resentment, the forgiving person may need to reaffirm their commitment to forgive. The resurgence of resentment will try to negate the progress forgiveness is capable of achieving. Remember, God will empower you by way of the Holy Spirit to help you restore your resolve to forgive. 

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“The Lord’s Spirit has come to me, because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers.”

~Luke 4:18 Contemporary English Version

Plant your feet firmly therefore within the freedom that Christ has won for us, and do not let yourselves be caught again in the shackles of slavery.
~Galatians 5:1 Phillips - New Testament in Modern English

Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get long with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”

~Romans 12:17-19 The Message