I heard a sister say, "Hi, I'm a recovering alcoholic." I understand that the point of this is to keep one humble by reminding oneself one is still an addict -- so you can never take another drink or you will sin. My questions are: (1) Is this true humility? (2) Doesn't this go against the Bible's teaching on repentance (metanoia as heartily repenting with abhorrence of one's past sins)? (3) Isn't it possible for a disciple/self-proclaimed recovering addict to be healed by Jesus? This is not to say that they should go to the local bar believing they have been healed and test themselves, but I mean that the reason they no longer get drunk is because the fruit of their repentance is the loathing of the sinful self and the sinful acts committed (Ezekiel 36:31). A friend of mine shared about how she is tempted from time to time to have a beer. She expresses it with a hint of longing rather than the loathing of the Bible. I was troubled. (4) Doesn't the Bible say we have the power of self-control through the Spirit? -- Rachel Tingle
While I appreciate your appreciation of the radical nature of repentance, and also of the Spirit's power to change us inside out, I think you may be looking at this in the wrong way. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 says that when we are tempted the Lord provides a way out. It does not say we won't be tempted, or that baptism washes away our old tendencies. Even though we are converted to God, we will have the same personality. Character can be built through perseverance in hardship (Romans 5), but the underlying personality is the same. Increasingly Christ-like, yes, but not fully so until we see him as he is (1 John 3:2). Here are my thoughts, corresponding to your questions:
1. While I suppose the sister could have been boasting or seeking attention, I see no reason why her comment was not made in humility. It takes humility to admit one's weaknesses to others. Of course, the Bible also speaks of false humility, and I would rather not judge this sister long-distance and without knowledge of the facts.
2. Metanoia has no nuance of abhorring one's sin. (For that, please see Psalm 36:2.) It is the Greek word for repentance, or (literally) change of mind, leading to a change in life. You are over-defining repentance, perhaps in an effort not to lose your own zeal. (To keep your zeal is commendable--Romans 12:11--but not to redefine biblical words!)
3. What does "healed" really mean? If it means we will never again be tempted, as I said above, then Jesus does not heal us. That is not the healing the Bible describes. (Usually healing in the Bible is physical healing, as from a medical condition.) Longing and loathing? Don't we all alternate between longing for a life of ease and loathing it? Don't we all shuttle back and forth between Romans 7 and Romans 8? Do you never long for the old life, only to read and pray and come to your senses again? I do. It is part of the human condition, even of the Christian condition on this earth.
4. Yes, the Spirit brings self-control (Galatians 5:23, 2 Timothy 1:7). Part of self-control is shaking off the unrealistic sense of invincibility (the ego that thinks, "It will never happen to me," or "Now that I am a Christian, Satan cannot touch me"). Part of self-control is conforming our thoughts and expectations to God's will and his word (Romans 12:2). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7 et par)! Part of that is fearing ourselves, fearing sin, fearing those old ruts into which we can so easily become stuck again if we are not vigilant.
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