ESCAPING YOUR PRISON (8 OF 12)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32
This content is part of a series.
Escaping Your Prison (8 of 12)
Series: Unlocking The Mystery
Jeff Strite
Ephesians 4:17-32
Back in the 14th century, in the region we now call Belgium, there was a duke by the name of Raynald III. Raynald had a nickname - Crassus. Crassus means fat, and he was fat because he really liked to eat. He liked to EAT ... a lot!
In the course of time, he had a violent quarrel with his younger brother Edward which resulted in Edward leading a revolt against him. Edward took Raynald prisoner and took him back to Nieuwkerk Castle where he had a special room built around him. He promised his brother he could regain his title and property as soon as he was able to leave the room.
Now, for NORMAL SIZE people, that wouldn't have been a problem. There were several windows and a door of normal size, and none of them were locked or barred. The problem for Raynald was his size. In order to leave the room he had to lose some weight.
But Edward knew his brother's weakness and he made sure trays of delicious food were delivered to his room each day. Thus, instead of dieting his way out of prison, Raynald grew fatter. When Edward was accused of cruelty, he readily replied: ''My brother is not a prisoner. He may leave ... when he so wills.''
Raynald stayed in that room for 10 years and wasn't released until after Edward died in battle. By then his health was so ruined that he died within a year. He died a prisoner to his own appetite. (from Thomas Costain's history, ''The Three Edwards,'' related in Leadership, Spring 84, p. 44)
This morning we read a warning from Paul to new Christians in Ephesus where he urged them: Don't die a prisoner to your appetites.
''Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have giv ...
Series: Unlocking The Mystery
Jeff Strite
Ephesians 4:17-32
Back in the 14th century, in the region we now call Belgium, there was a duke by the name of Raynald III. Raynald had a nickname - Crassus. Crassus means fat, and he was fat because he really liked to eat. He liked to EAT ... a lot!
In the course of time, he had a violent quarrel with his younger brother Edward which resulted in Edward leading a revolt against him. Edward took Raynald prisoner and took him back to Nieuwkerk Castle where he had a special room built around him. He promised his brother he could regain his title and property as soon as he was able to leave the room.
Now, for NORMAL SIZE people, that wouldn't have been a problem. There were several windows and a door of normal size, and none of them were locked or barred. The problem for Raynald was his size. In order to leave the room he had to lose some weight.
But Edward knew his brother's weakness and he made sure trays of delicious food were delivered to his room each day. Thus, instead of dieting his way out of prison, Raynald grew fatter. When Edward was accused of cruelty, he readily replied: ''My brother is not a prisoner. He may leave ... when he so wills.''
Raynald stayed in that room for 10 years and wasn't released until after Edward died in battle. By then his health was so ruined that he died within a year. He died a prisoner to his own appetite. (from Thomas Costain's history, ''The Three Edwards,'' related in Leadership, Spring 84, p. 44)
This morning we read a warning from Paul to new Christians in Ephesus where he urged them: Don't die a prisoner to your appetites.
''Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have giv ...
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