I. Labels tend to type this condition as a "disease".
, and leads and gives one an excuse for sin; therefore, God needs
to heal them of this disease. We turn away from the truth to a
deception , a problem of wrong thinking and doing as defined by
the Bible.
II. Common characteristics of bulemics:
Habits and greed and the desire for instant gratification:
- compulsion to binge and purge can be defined as greed.
- look for triggers of this action which reveals lusts both of
mind and body. See 1 Cor. 10:13
; Nu. 11:4, 6, 13-24, 31-34; Ps.
78:17.
- issue is clearly trusting in God and not circumstances.
- Matt. 6:25-32
; Col. 3:5
-Defines compulsions as greed, worry,
anxiety, etc., self-promoting satisfaction.
Ungodly desire for a "surface" perfection and pride;
"The Pharisee within".
- Matt. 23
says a lot about living for one's outward image.
- apt to cover up and hide binges and purges, needs to confess
to God and others .
- and maintain a journal depicting eating habits, when, where,
how much, etc.
Desire to save herself for her sins:
- purging can be an act of penance or self-flagellation.
- this penance is sinful as it exposes the heart which trusts
in its own efforts instead of in Christ and His provisions, Phil. 3:7-9
; Gal. 2:16
- one who serves the law rather than grace.
Laziness and a desire for instant solutions:
- Prov. 13:9
; 21:25-26-putting off and putting on takes effort
and time.
- the lazy way(purge) leads only to more cravings(binge) and ultimate
death.
- slothfulness and laziness are shortcuts and may be pervasive
in other areas that need investigation.
III. How to help:
Be sure of their salvation.
Set the agenda. Anything that is less than pleasing God is
unacceptable.
Prov. 26:16
-Plan to deal with resistance to the truth.
Establish accountability-give and check homework, maintain
a journal and review same, and have person accountable to someone
in their family.
Teach them how to handle temptations to bingesee (use Contingency
Plan worksheet).
Cry out to God for help and identify motives that tempt her
Draw near to God for both mercy and grace to help in time
of need, Heb. 4:16
.
Avoid places that trigger binges.
When tempted keep on the move, change locations, leave house
if necessary.
Remember that the escape of purging is no longer opened to
her; at that point she is to call upon her Saviour for the true
way of escape, 1 Cor. 10:13
.
Call a friend for prayer.
If she has already started to binge, cry out for His help.
Read Isa. 53:3-7
.Become aware of particular "triggers":
e. g. , moods time of month, difficult situations, etc. , anticipate
and be ready for them.