Contributor: Ryan Moffat, BS in Bible and Theology from Multnomah University. Pastor of Vast Church.
It seems to me that God loves a little bit of rhetoric. If you don’t believe me just look at the first question that shows up in the Bible:
“Where are you?”
Now listen….if you’re missing one of your kids at a crowded mall that is a GREAT question! If you’re at Disneyland watching fireworks and you’re three-year old wanders down Main Street following his nose to the amazing odors being produced at a nearby pretzel cart, that is a good question. At the point ask it!! Don’t just ask it, SCREAM IT!!!!! But God? Really? Why ask, does He not know?? Scripture is abundantly clear about how much God knows in Psalm 139:
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
The Psalmist gets it…. There is nowhere that he can go where he can hide from God. So why does God not know where Adam and Eve are?
God Is Setting a Pattern
God knows EXACTLY where they are when He asks the question but He is setting a pattern for how He will deal with sin and He establishes this gracious, kind, loving pattern “in the beginning”. He will ask obvious questions to give sinful, addicted, broken people an opportunity to repent!
The irony of this whole story (and the irony of our stories) is that GOD IS NEVER FOOLED; the only one Adam fools is himself. Self-Deception…. probably the most vicious kind!
Be Honest with God
So in the moments when we fail (again), when we return to deadly devices that give momentary control, momentary pleasure, momentary relief but lead to a lifetime of heartache, pain, and regret you can actually do something different to engage those cravings.
You can be honest with God because He already knows! Addictions promise so much but deliver so little so you will have to think differently if you will win the battles. You can, in fact you must, share with Him the difficulties you face. 1 Peter 5:7 puts it this way; “Cast all your cares upon Him [God] because He cares for you.”
May you throw off the cloak of false strength and put on the garments of humility as you depend on God to help you, strengthen you, and walk with you in the midst of the pain of your real life.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
Have you struggled with being honest with God? How has being honest with Him impacted your recovery?
About the Author:
Ryan received his BS in Bible and Theology and a minor in counseling from Multnomah University. He has pastored students, families and is passionate about Christ-centered recovery and healing. He’s been married to his beautiful wife Michelle for 13 years and they enjoy raising four crazy, unique and special kids together.
Ryan is the teaching pastor at Vast Church in Sisters, OR and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, OR
Addiction Hope is proud to announce the initiation of a special Christian Track of blogs and articles to commemorate the blessing of our sister site, Eating Disorder Hope’s 10th year anniversary. Watch for further content noted as “Christian Track”.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on July 22nd, 2015
Published on AddictionHope.com