Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. [14] “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
- Character precedes conduct
- Salt before light
In the fallen world that we live in, it is our nature to achieve homeostasis, a balance. What we fail to understand is that this is a balance between pleasure and pain, we can liken to to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but what is most important is the absence of God, without us even realizing that.
We do what we can to tip the scale on the pleasure side of the balance, with alcohol or whatever we need to get a Dopamine fix, without the Lord, using the ways of the world, even acceptance, no sooner does that happens, then our brain adapts and tries to find a balance, a state of equilibrium by adding to the pain side of the balance, to bring it level again, to achieve homeostasis.
The problem is that once these “demons” get on the pain side of the balance, they don’t get off and from then on the balance remains tilted to the side of pain until an equal an opposite amount of Dopamine, a chemical that activates our pleasure senses, is added.
We have learned to intentionally press on the pain side of the balance for example with exercise or an ice cold water bath or intermittent fasting without being guided by the Holy Spirit
Thus getting our dopamine indirectly by paying for it up front and there are studies showing this.
As Christians, we too try to avoid this dopamine deficit state, and this is where faith comes into play.
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV For we walk by faith, not by sight.
- Psalm 16:11 NKJV You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
- Romans 12:1-2 NKJV I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
- Isaiah 9:6 NKJV For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Psalm 1:1-3 NKJV Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; [2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. [3] He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
- Psalm 92:12-15 NKJV The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. [13] Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. [14] They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, [15] To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Think about it!