God uses this behavior modification to get us to choose right living. But we are such babies and easily discouraged with discipline instead of correctly interpreting His punishment as love.

Hebrews 12:5b-11 says:My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

A harvest of righteousness versus a harvest of head hunger. I hate the “out-of-control” feeling! When you give in to your desires, your greed grows with each passing year, and it will continue to grow as long as you “feed” it—until you are given over. It could be the lust of the eye, the pride of life, or the lust of the flesh. If you have not been in a true Cross-centered church, you probably have not learned self-denial, and you may find yourself in a prison of pleasing self.

Cross-centered self-denial is mere Christianity—the essence of True Religion. After you become convicted in WeighDown, you need to stay on your knees. When you leave one idol or behavior, you must fill it with a new behavior that is focused on God.

Read more in Weigh Down Works!