I forgot where I first heard the explanations in the difference between Sin, and Iniquity. But once I heard it, it stuck inside my head and made itself clear. Sadly, sometimes only clear when I have to backtrack and know what it is I would be asking forgiveness for.
Sin; (noun) - an offense against religious or moral law, a transgression of the law of God.
(verb,) - to commit and offense or fault.
Iniquity; (noun) - gross injustice, a wicked act or thing.
If you notice the latter. Iniquity seems to hold an even heavier explanation of meaning than sin. As it was explained to me; Sin is something we do either the first time, or something we do that we are unaware is against God and our relationship with Him. Iniquity, is something that we are consciously doing, knowing full well that God does not approve. Hence the wording 'gross & wicked.'
When we get caught up in addiction, depending on the type, and the frame of mind, I believe most things we end up doing start out as mere Sin. Most of the time we are unaware that what we are doing goes against a bigger plan, or someone personally. We are so distracted at the newness or high that we get, we do not notice that we have wronged someone. But then it switches. Someone points out what it is we are doing wrong and gives our action a name. They tell us that we have sinned. Our actions have wronged someone or something, and they should be discontinued as so.
So we are left with the choice; discontinue our actions and try to walk straight, or ignore the facts and continue to do what it was that we were doings. If we choose to do as we please, and we repeat the actions again, or over and over, our sin has now become an iniquity. We are now consciously choosing to do what makes us happy with no regard to others. We continue to disrespect and offend the moral code that is ingrained in all of us. And I believe that is where the definition of 'wicked' comes from. It is a wicked deed, to do as we please with no regard to others, even after we have been told it is not the right way, or the proper way, or the productive way, etc.
In addiction, there eventually comes a point when you realize that what you are doing is not healthy, whatever the case of addiction may be. It is at this point when I believe we realize our Sin. The thing we have been choosing to put our time, and efforts into first and foremost, has become the ruler and king over our life, and all else is forced to follow. So we must make adjustments, and come to the understanding of what it is that got us here, and how do we fix it.
Now during the process of restoration and rehabilitation we will be faced with many temptations. Especially if what you choose as your new king, or purpose, or higher power is something of the Faith. The devil knows how to push your buttons, and knows what he can say to make you think about it.
- Will one more go REALLY hurt you that bad?
- Do you think anyone will REALLY know whats going on?
- Will you REALLY get caught again?Sometimes too, it is not even the devil we have to worry about. It is our own flesh. Our Body. We are connected to them until we die. And through all the creating time we put into fabricating our addiction, our bodies have grown accustomed to getting what it wants. So when we decide to stop, it gets pissed, and begins to argue with us like a sleepy toddler who wants more candy.
So this is the crossroad. This is where sin becomes iniquity. At the point when we KNOW that what we are about to do will not be an action that our Higher Power will agree with. Nor is it something that they have asked us to do. In fact it will go against what they are asking us to do. So therefore, we are directly saying "My way is better and it is what I want, I know you do not approve, But I am going to do it anyway." Thus we are now participating in a wicked deed.
-Our Families ask us to stop doing drugs, or drinking because it hurts them to see us killing ourselves. Yet we take notice, and drink or drug away anyway. We realize our addiction to drugs and drinking is our sin, but our continue to do so is our iniquity.
-Our Spouse asks us to come home when work is scheduled to be done, yet we work hours on hours of overtime to make that paycheck even larger, ignoring their request. We realize our addiction to making money is our sin, yet we chase it anyway, and our iniquity is born.
-Our Pastor tells us pornography and adult themed books and movies will destroy our relationships. We realize this is our sin against our partner, and our iniquity follows as we ignore the advice.
-God himself tells us to have no other god or idol before him. Our pursuit of money, fame, sex, wealth, honor, relationship, status, popularity, or that next high, has become all we live for. Our sin is realizing we put these things in front of God. Keeping them continually in front of our relationship with Him, is our iniquities.
So how do we Stop?
Seek Help! Get council. Get an accountability partner or group. Talk to someone about our issues that can help deal with them and overcome them.
Next, Repent! Ask for Forgiveness, then turn away from what it is that causes us to continue in sin in such manner. Again, seeking council will help to achieve this.
Finally, understand and accept Love and Grace. Two major characteristics of God, Jesus and the Spirit. Everything that is given to us, is done so in Love. And by the death on the cross, Jesus extended Grace to us. Favor to our lives, that we may live for Him and He be glorified, because He died the way we should have.
*addiction is not something given to us. it is something we create in ourselves. we choose to continue to chase something, make it habitually regular, and give it power over our lives. if something has primary rule over your life outside of God, it is unhealthy, and if continued will destroy everything you have. we should love ourselves enough to quit, and thank God for everything.
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