Winehouse

Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house. Matthew 12:29

The truth of this statement visits me when I look back at a time in my life where addiction robbed me of life. There was this notion that the extent of my using was coined as recreational and fun. I was still a functional human being because I went to work and managed my relationships in a reasonable manner. I harmed no one or violated any laws. Using was the in thing to do amongst most of my friends. My recreational use afforded me an escape from the pressures of life. All of it was a lie.
Today I realize the truth of the manner. It was not necessary for me to use any substances to manage my life. The pitfalls (ups and downs) that occurred in my life are there to present an image that life is to complex and valuable to loose over substances and situations not under my control. The deceit and lies are manifested in a world fallen away from what the creator (God)intended. The strong man (Satan,devil) continues to rob us by virtue of his ability to deceive us and lead us from the truth of who we are. Lets not get it twisted in order to rob him of the power he has over us we have to bind him with the truth of God's word about who we are and the power we have in us to bind the strong man.
Ms Winehouse short lived life is the result of the strong mans lies about who we are. Although her wonderful talent as an artist was there it could have never manifested in a fallen world unless the strong man was bound. He robbed her of the life the creator had intended for her.