I am told “Alcoholism” is a medical condition that can be diagnosed and treated, like any other medical condition. And, that “Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)” is a condition that becomes apparent in some children in the preschool and early school years, making it hard for them to control their behavior and/or pay attention. A once-daily medication is recommended to solve this problem. My most recent discovery was that adults can suffer from a ”Discipline Deficiency Disorder” condition which adversely affects their ability to perform their job. I assume we are looking for a pill to solve this problem too. It seems that all of our problems and wrongdoings can be related to diseases and illnesses and then treated with medication.
I’m not qualified to be judgmental about the accuracy of these approaches to our problems and wrongdoings, but these “disease” definitions leave something out. They leave out “guilt”. If it’s a disease I have, then how is it my fault? I’m not a drunk that needs to change his behavior, I just “caught” alcoholism, and need medication. That child doesn’t have a behavior problem that needs the attention called for in Proverbs 22:15, he just happened to catch “ADD”, and needs medication. This man isn’t a lazy bum, he just was exposed to DDD, and needs medication.
This may be the work of the Devil, removing personal responsibility for actions, and giving an “not my fault” excuse. Can you see how this robs a man of the opportunity to repent, which is first step toward forgiveness and salvation (If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9)
Trying to hide our personal responsibility when we’ve done something wrong comes naturally. We feel guilty, but our desire to avoid admitting our responsibility is stronger than our guilt and the “disease” approach to our wrongdoings makes it easy. After all, it’s really not my fault.
I’m not qualified to be judgmental about the accuracy of these approaches to our problems and wrongdoings, but these “disease” definitions leave something out. They leave out “guilt”. If it’s a disease I have, then how is it my fault? I’m not a drunk that needs to change his behavior, I just “caught” alcoholism, and need medication. That child doesn’t have a behavior problem that needs the attention called for in Proverbs 22:15, he just happened to catch “ADD”, and needs medication. This man isn’t a lazy bum, he just was exposed to DDD, and needs medication.
This may be the work of the Devil, removing personal responsibility for actions, and giving an “not my fault” excuse. Can you see how this robs a man of the opportunity to repent, which is first step toward forgiveness and salvation (If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9)
Trying to hide our personal responsibility when we’ve done something wrong comes naturally. We feel guilty, but our desire to avoid admitting our responsibility is stronger than our guilt and the “disease” approach to our wrongdoings makes it easy. After all, it’s really not my fault.
If you’ve sinned, it’s time to say so. God is offering His cleansing and forgiveness, but it must start with repentance.
O Lord, help me to come to You; When I would rather hide my sin; Give me the courage to confess; So I can be made clean within. (Sper)
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