In the Lord of the Rings, Smigle becomes obsessed with the ring to the point it overtakes him and he becomes Gollum.
I know I have had Gollum areas in my life. Things that have taken over who I am and made me into what I’m not. Sports, gaming, and drinking took over my life. And we wanted it.
The Maccabees and Daniel took a stand not to defile themselves before God. At what point do we make a stand and become who God created us to be?
Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 AMPC
Some things have been easier to stand against than others. But the fight for freedom continues as I fight from His victory, not from my failures. What things need to be let go, to make a stand, not to defile yourself?
Change is difficult, but easy when choices are made to change. Change location, run away from the temptation. Pray for wisdom, strength or a distraction. Find a different release. Running became a place for all of the above for me, and a place of worship. Worship gets our eyes off ourselves and focuses on the One who has bought our freedom.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jer. 6:16.] For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good–not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
Matthew 11:28-30 AMPC
Ignite Truth 