August 7, 2016 (Proverbs 12:1)

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid” (Prov 12:1). For three decades since a deliverance from bondage of substance abuse, it’s been my joy and privilege to have an opportunity to serve others struggling with addiction. In many instances, their response has been identical to mine for a long time, namely unwillingness if not inability to receive correction even if lovingly given. I am reminded of my mother’s admonition that I was abusing alcohol earlier in life while remaining unwilling to listen to her gentle rebukes. Raised up in the church since infancy, my spiritual pride (another term for lack of humility) kept me blinded to a need for knowledge of God’s Word calling for self discipline. It was not until an old Chinese proverb took place that the deception controlling my life was exposed: ‘A man takes a drink, the drink takes a drink and then the drink takes the man.’ The transition took place so gradually there was no awareness of the dependency that led to years of virtually total blackout. Over time, I became aware at to why Jesus said on the cross of those who had crucified Him, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Jesus recognized that their actions were controlled by unrecognized iniquities (often generational) which were driving my behavior: inherited spiritual roots of feeling unloved and rejected which had earlier manifested themselves in the lives of my parents and grandparents. The underlying roots of all addictions, they had predisposed me to look for love in all the wrong places with marital unfaithfulness as well as substance abuse. It was a similar pattern seen in the life of David who spoke of being  conceived in sin (see Psalm 51 after conviction of adultery with Bethsheba) followed by similar immorality in the lives of his first son Amnon and later with Solomon. One who refuses to accept God’s discipline will never seek knowledge mandatory for taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and thereby destroy strongholds which prevent living in the freedom available in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:3-5).