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Commentary on "Freedom From Addictions"
Day 6: Thursday, March 10, 2011 - Gambling
Overview
This day is on the subject of addiction to personal image or "looking good". The commentator states that one should evaluate if they are spending more time on "studying hairstyles and creating them" reading "muscle magazines", and so on" or on spending time reading God's Word and praying. If we are not spending more time in God's word and praying, they say, we should immediately, by God's grace, re-prioritize our lives. They say where we spend our time, and how we spend it, is the measure of spiritual substance.
They say that Christ came to redeem who we are (substance), not what we look like. Again they say, what matters to our Maker is not what we look like, but who we are.
Observations
Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes. Instead, it should consist of what is inside the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes. 1 Peter 3:3-4 (HCSB)
The above text is the Scripture reading for today. There are several things to consider before we discuss what these texts actually say. First, this passage is taken out of the context of wives submitting to husbands. The purpose is clearly stated in the preceding verses:
In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 1 Peter 3:1-2 (NASB)
Then later in verse 6, the point is made that we are "children of Sarah" if we submit without fear. When it says we are "children of Sarah", it means we are free instead of slaves to the Law. This is a reference to the freedom we have in Christ under the New Covenant. The freedom we are given as a free gift.
What this text is saying is that when we live out the role that God designed for us, in Christ, submitting ultimately to Christ, then we can have impact on a husband who is being disobedient to the Word.
So, in verses 1-4, the point is that a gentle, humble attitude can "win" our husbands to obedience to the Word because they can notice something is different about their wives through Christ living in them.
That's very different than what the commentary is saying about spiritual substance being measured by how much time we spend in the Word and prayer. My question would be, "what if a person is a hair designer or graphic artist?" God has given each of us unique abilities and talents, and each of us can use our abilities for His glory, for His purpose and through His power. But, those people will likely spend the bulk of their days spending less time in the Word than say, a preacher. Quantity doesn't measure quality.
If the Son has set you free, then you are free indeed! Be set free!
An addiction to "personal image" would simply be worshiping ourselves. An addiction is an illegitimate way to fill a illegitimate need. We are all made in the image of God, and as such, have a desire for beauty and design. We are also made with a material part and an immaterial part. We reflect God in all the parts of us in varying degrees and as we become sanctified through His mercies, we reflect Him more and more.
1 Cor. 15:52 says that in the twinkling of an eye, we will receive new bodies at the resurrection. But, even though we do not have our new bodies yet, we cannot help but be affected by His glory which indwells us now. God does not sequester Himself away from us. He is deeply, intimately, relationally involved with His people through the Holy Spirit. He is supremely interested in the whole person, every aspect of our being.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NASB)
In spite of what we were taught, this is very good news. God disciplines those He loves. (Hebrews 12). He adores us.
Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder….and God sees us as masterpieces, works of art. (Eph. 2:10) As His Spirit flows out of us, He radiates more and more of Himself to the world. He shines. He shows. He flows.
Summary
- The passage from 1 Peter is about wives submitting to husbands in order to teach submission to the Word without using words.
- God is supremely interested in our whole selves, including our physical bodies and our immaterial parts.
- We reflect God's image as part of His design.
- God does not sequester Himself away from His people; rather, He is deeply, intimately involved with us through the Holy Spirit.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised March 5, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 11
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 11
