I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. Romans 16:19 When I used to give the sex education talk to the junior high boys at my kids school, I always tried to be sensible about the content. I didn’t want to be naive about their…
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Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. Romans 16:17-18 Though I do get to work…
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For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. Romans 15:27 On my way to my first AA meeting years ago, I was terribly nervous. This is apparently, a pretty common experience for anyone new to AA and those in…
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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 When suffering from depression or anxiety, most of us have prayed, asking God to take it away. Then, when God doesn’t take it away and…
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Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” Romans 15:2-3 In my first year of residency, while on call, I had to go to the ER to see…
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We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1 A few times lately, I’ve found myself being critical of others. It’s not bad enough that I’ve had critical thoughts though. I’ve also shared those thoughts out loud. Twice recently, those whom I’ve…
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But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. Romans 14:23 I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ve always found it terribly hypocritical that a half hour into a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, the group will take a 10-minute…
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Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. Romans 14:20-21 A few years ago, I sat listening to two guys, one of whom confessed the struggle…
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For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 It’s always been my nature to live as if I had this question in mind, How much can I get away with and still be forgiven? I may not…
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So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12 In addiction medicine, I frequently have the opportunity to interview alcoholics and addicts as they attempt to work towards change, sobriety, and recovery. Deep down, they all want their lives to be different, but getting there is the problem. Part…
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