Dissipation is a word that describes an excess or waste, but biblically is used to describe dissolute lifestyles, there is a life of disorderly conduct such as “wild parties,” and there is a wasteful (life of luxury) which as Christians we are taught to avoid living like either. 1 Peter 4:1-3 teaches–” Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 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. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.” Whenever we choose this way of living, we might as well be living as mindless zombies. Lecrae wrote a song about this topic called “Zombie,” to quote a few bars–” I was after flesh, I guess I was some type of zombie.” He also mentions that he was “in the dark” and haunted by demons in his mind while he was chasing women, money, alcohol, and “pullin’ pistols.” It was the voice of Truth (God) that awoke him from this foolish slumber.
The Holy Bible teaches that self-control is one of the “Fruits of the Spirit,” and anyone that DOES NOT practice this and chooses to not be sober-minded is likened to a “well without water.” That does not mean they cannot be filled with “living water” however, because even the story of the Prodigal Son ended in redemption. Prodigal Living is in fact an example of what we should not do, this is highlighted in Luke 15:11-13–” Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not so many days after, the younger had gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted all his possessions with prodigal living.” When the younger son ran out of money and all he had, he suffered and was willing to eat what the pigs ate just to satiate his growing hunger. There are many ways we could live wasteful lives such as even giving into addictions and wasting life away drunk and high.
A modern-day example of a “prodigal son” would be someone that wasted time and resources on drugs, sexual immorality, and other “lusts of the flesh.” Many celebrities profess to be “Christians” but live as hedonists. They are prioritizing the fleshly desires over the spirit. Make no mistake there is hope for ANY sinner. Even believers have been guilty of this way of living. The son believed that he was no longer worthy to be called his father’s son, and whenever we backslide, we may feel the same way about Father God, but he is a good, good Father. He is a God of second chances. In Luke 15:22-24 a message of forgiveness is conveyed–” But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” There was no condemnation, only compassion and thanksgiving.
I admonish those of you who have been guilty of this whether you who are reading are a believer or a pagan; there is hope in the name of Jesus. This message is for EVERYONE. Romans 5:5–” Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” If you are not saved and desire this hope, there is never a wrong time to come to Jesus. Proverbs 24:14 promises that–” So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.” Seek and ye shall find. John 3:16–” For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” As the gospel singer, Carman Licciardello once said “Mission 3:16.” It is a mission; it is a calling for those that freely received to freely give. When we are redeemed, we are given a calling on our lives, we have the anointing (Holy Spirit) once we invite Him to indwell in us. Matthew 10:8 reveals the great commission–” Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” This is not a suggestion, and to do as the Lord has instructed; we must live in obedience to Him, we must pray in supplication, we must wear the full Armor of God, we must study His Word, we must believe in Him and the Dunamis power, we must stay in fellowship, we must practice His righteousness (ex: the fruits of the spirit,) and stay sober-minded.
Michelle Warr
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