That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God ( l Peter 4:2).
In his letter, the apostle Peter, makes a list of universal human problems and urges the believers to abandon the way of immorality and follow the steps of Jesus. He says that Christ suffered for us in flesh and has ceased from sin (l Pet. 4:1) and immediately urges the followers of Jesus not to live anymore according to their passions but to the will of God (v. 2). Interestingly, the Greek word that Peter uses to refer to human passions is epitomia which covers a series of concepts intimately related to addiction. These concepts are related to desire, yearning, eagerness, compulsion, greed and lust.
A firm quality of any type of addiction is the obsession or the intense and persistent thought that invites repetition of the addictive act. As long as the action is not performed, the person experiences severe discomfort and becomes frequently bad-tempered. Every time these obsessive thoughts invade him, the individual feels the lack of personal freedom.
One of the most wonderful cases of conversion in the early ages of Christianity is the one of Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD). Although he was raised by his mother Monica in a Christian doctrine, he left the church and lived a dissipated life and had an affair with a woman who gave him a son. His beliefs switched from one philosophy to another but was always pagan. One day, when he was alone in the garden, he heard a child-like voice telling him: «Take up and read.» Augustine looked around him and saw in parchment paper a copy of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, «Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts» Rom. 13:13, 14). Shortly thereafter, he was baptized by the bishop Ambrose when he was 33 years old. Saint Augustine’s writings have a great influence on Christianity. His story shows exemplary moral transformation.
Even when you are tied to any addiction or sin, all is not lost. Both the message Augustine read and I Peter 4:2 point out the same solution: Jesus Christ. Entrust Him your thoughts and behavior as He will help you to best channel them.
Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores: Yudith C & Alejandra Zavala