A Little Won't Hurt...
It's 3:30 pm. I just got all the kids back home after school.
They rush to the kitchen for a snack, asking me to cut up apples, toast bagels, open the package of Oreos, and so on.
After scarfing down a few morsels, they are on to their next endeavor leaving bits behind, messes to clean up, and packages to be put away.
As I pick up the Oreos, I think to myself…
"One won't hurt. Just have one and put it away. It's no big deal."
Ah, yes. The little lie, one won't hurt.
This deception is tricky because there is some truth to it.
Sometimes we have to take a step back from our situation and look at it from another perspective.
Today, let's look at it from the perspective of an alcoholic.
Why can't an alcoholic have just one?
Well, their brain has been misprogrammed. For a period of time, alcoholics have trained their brain to think that the first drink is just one of many. So, when they want to release the tension of the desire to drink, the automatic part of their brain wants to take over.
If they give in and let the automated part of their brain run the show, that first drink means increasing their desire for more alcohol, making it even harder to say "no" to the next.
While one drink won't make them drunk, one drink makes it harder to focus on their long-term goals and remember the consequences of their current decision.
Sounds familiar?
Those Oreos? No, one or two won't make you fat. But just one can increase your desire to have more, making it harder to say "no" to number three, five, or ten.
So, the question is, does a little bit hurt?
I believe it does. It hurts your self-control, your relationship with yourself, with God, and leaves you feeling defeated.
You're at risk once that sneaky thought pops in your mind…
"Just one won't hurt."
What do we do with this seemingly innocent deception?
Well, I want you to answer a few questions for yourself.
- Describe the life of an alcoholic? What do they REALLY want that they aren't getting? For the sake of argument, let's say a foodaholic is a person who can't stop eating. Describe the life of a foodaholic who hasn't stopped eating. What do they REALLY want?
- Do you think an alcoholic can escape his alcoholism while still having a sip of alcohol here and there? Do you believe a foodaholic could escape her "foodaholism" while still having a bite of her downfall foods here and there? Why or why not?
- Would your life be better or worse if you were to have self-control and say "no" more often? Explain.
- How do you feel when you have to say "no" to something you want? How do you feel when you say yes to something you want and end up overeating? Which feeling would you rather live with?
- What do you have to give up by saying "no" in the moment? What do you gain by saying "no" in the moment?
Take a minute and answer these questions for YOURSELF. Understand what you have to give up and what you can genuinely gain.
Be intentional about the decisions you make.
That's really the root of the problem; being intentional about our decisions. We don't bring to light the enemy's deceptions. We don't take the time to put on our armor of God, so we are left unprotected and vulnerable.
Here are the scriptures I want to leave you with today…
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:14
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 1 Timothy 4:7
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12
Being intentional about our decisions isn't easy. It's actually really hard. If you need insight, support, and accountability to make decisions that care for your temple and lose weight, sign up for a Discovery Call with me.
It's life-changing to trust yourself to say "no" to temptation consistently and joyfully. Sign up by clicking HERE.
