Cease and learn. Wouldn't it be nice if the Christian life were as simple as it seems in this passage from Isaiah. Cease to do evil. Just stop. Quit. But for us of those who were smokers in past lives, while quitting may be a simple concept, it is not easy. There will be times of resolve followed by a reoccurrence. Strengthened resolve, another misstep. The challenage is to not allow these regressions to defeat us.
I can remember during my long journey to quit smoking being fraught with self-recrimination. I would bum a smoke off a friend, get upset with myself, and find myself at Git-n-Go purchasing a whole pack. All the while justifying it with the rationalization that since I had already smoked one or two from a friend, I might as well put off quitting a while longer. Or I would find another reason to purchase a pack. Perhaps it was a weekend at the lake with friends, or perhaps a camping trip with the lazy hours around a campfire. Whatever the reason, I knew deep down I was disobeying God's leading.
However at the end of the day, we must cease from sin. There are no gray areas when it comes to sin and God. If He has spoken a word into our lives and we to fail to obey it is sin. What is God telling you to cease? What actions or thoughts are a point of conviction for you? Ceasing may not be a one and done for you. For most of us it will be a series of victories and failures. Successes and disappointments. It is important to not let those failures to define your struggle. God will supply us the strength, patience, and perseverance if we are a willing, sincere participant in His transformation of our lives.
If only stopping were as easy as Bob Newhart would lead us to believe.
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