I Just Can’t Help Myself

Written by Christopher Mentzer

One of the things I’ve learned in working retail, especially in the back area, is that there is no concern about customers as none venture in the back. The behavior and attitude of those ‘behind-the-scenes’ is a little more loose and laid back. Primarily I mean the use of foul language, innuendo, or other crude remarks. The fact that everyone is male; there aren’t really any concerns of sexual harassment. But you look at some of these people, decent hardworking individuals and I ask myself, “Why do so many of these guys behave the way they do?” Many of them have used the phrase, “I just can’t help myself”. Others have said, “That’s just the way I am”. What they should be saying is, “I like my life the way it is and I don’t want to change”.

Imagine Simon the Sorcerer telling that to Peter. In a way he did! In Acts 8 after he was baptized Simon continued with the apostles and here’s what happened in verse 18, “Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money”. What’s he saying here? “If I can get this Holy Spirit power, I can perform miracles and be the object of such great praise.” He wanted to continue his life as a Sorcerer! ‘Once a sorcerer, always a sorcerer’. But Peter didn’t want that to happen and this is what he replied, “…Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. 21. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God. 22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. 23. For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” (vs. 20-23) Simon then realized his error and replied in verse 24, “Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.” He had a change of heart and did not return to his former ways.

Another example is that of the Rich Young Ruler. He didn’t want to change. He was rich and wanted to remain as such as we see in Matt. 19: 21-22, “Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 22. But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.” ‘Once a Rich Man, Always a Rich Man’. Here was a great opportunity to change and he refused because he didn’t want to be different. Jesus said in Lk. 13: 5, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Prior to that the apostle John preached, “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance…”(Lk. 3: 8). And finally the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 7: 10, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, `a repentance' which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

If there is a problem in your life, you can help yourself. Peter said in Acts 2: 40, “Save yourself from this perverse generation. The way to change begins with you and the desire to do something about it. You need to take it to God and then repent of it.

“…go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.” (John 8: 11) If you’re not a Christian, there are some steps at the bottom of this article. It is a starting point and we can help you further.

If you already are a Christian, it’s time to take back control of your life and you can begin with asking God for forgiveness. Don’t just read this article and move on, make a change in your life now!

To become a Christian you must:

Hear the Word of God (Rom. 10:17)

Believe Jesus is the Son of God (John 8: 24)

Confess Jesus is the Son of God (Rom. 10: 9-10)

Repent of your sins (Acts 2: 38)

Become baptized to wash away your sins (Acts 22:16)

Live Faithfully even unto Death (Rev. 2: 9)