TheDiscipleMD
Recently a product is being advertised across our TV screens as helping one overcome an addiction. I am always amused by the long list of potential side effects you can experience when you use this product. Almost the entire ad is telling you of the potential problems you could face upon taking this tablet. Their ad states:
“For the Consumer
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking (our product):
Less common •Difficult or labored breathing•hyperventilation•shortness of breath•tightness in the chest•wheezing
Incidence not known •Anger•anxiety•behavior changes•depression•discouragement•feeling sad or empty•feelings of panic•hallucinations•irregular heartbeats•irritability•loss of interest or pleasure•mood swings•nervousness•restlessness•thoughts of killing oneself
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common •Abnormal dreams•bloated or full feeling•change in taste•difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)•dry mouth•excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines•general feeling of discomfort or illness•headache•lack or loss of strength•loss of taste•nausea•passing gas•sleeplessness•stomach pain•trouble sleeping•unable to sleep•unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common •Acid or sour stomach•belching•body aches or pain•chills•cough•decreased appetite•dizziness•ear congestion•fever•heartburn•increased appetite•indigestion•itching skin•loss of appetite•loss of voice•nightmares•rash•runny nose•sleepiness or unusual drowsiness•sneezing or sore throat•stomach discomfort or upset•stuffy nose•trouble concentrating•unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness•vomiting”
I am happy that the above company is honest in giving us the potential side effects in using their product, although I am inclined to believe that it is only out of obedience to the laws of the land. Yet, after reading the potential ramifications of using it, one has to wonder if the positives outweight the negatives of using this product. Often as I watch this commercial, I think the same could be said of participating in sinful practices. Perhaps one enjoys a moment of pleasure or satisfaction, but the unlimited potential side effects of doing so are comparable to taking the above drug.
I am reminded of the words of James when he wrote: “…sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:15) We all make mistakes and live sinful lives to a certain extent, but sinful practices, which might bring some small earthly pleasures, can have huge side effects that can cripple and hinder our spiritual growth and cause havoc in our lives. A side effect of sin is almost always unhappiness.
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…” (Isaiah 1:18)
May we take the counsel as recorded by the prophet Isaiah by abandoning our sins and all its potential ‘side effects’, and gain hope in the Lords words that we can be made clean through His atonement.