Overcoming Addictions - Biblical Solutions
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Overcoming Addictions
By Donny Weimar
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful.
All things are lawful for me, but
I will not be brought under the power of any.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NKJ)
It is sinful to be addicted...
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Overcoming Addictions
By Donny Weimar
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful.
All things are lawful for me, but
I will not be brought under the power of any.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NKJ)
It is sinful to be addicted to any one thing.
In the context of money, Jesus says “No
man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he
will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.
”
Enslaved by greed, covetousness or lust for power is condemning.
The axiom of having
two masters holds principle validity in all contexts.
Commonly understood by Christians, drug abuse, alcoholism, pornography and
habitual fornication are all addictions to be avoided.
Slightly less common agreement
comes with the use, or rather abuse, of tobacco.
And, what is least commonly understood is
being brought under the power of caffeine.
While serving as a minister for a Texas congregation, I once had a visiting preacher
come into my home.
Almost immediately upon entering the front door he demanded my
wife prepare a pot of coffee for him.
He was edgy and obviously suffering from caffeine
withdrawals.
As a young preacher who looked up to this seasoned worker for the Lord, I
was appalled.
“I will not be brought under the power of any.
”
Shifting gears.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count
slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all
should come to repentance” (2 Pe.
3:9 NKJ).
God forbears with us for a while, waiting for
us to turn from our sins.
But, “no man can serve two masters.
” Whom do we love more?
Medical journals, such as those used by psychiatrists, list many addictions
including tobacco and caffeine as diseases.
God is fully aware that beating an addiction to
such substances does not happen “at the drop of a hat.
” Still, with determination there is
hope.
The Koine Greek for repent is “metanoeo.
” A preacher’s explanation of this word is
“a change of mind that produces a change in lifestyle (dw).
” The Greek word is the same
from which the English derives the term “metamorphosis.
” It’s like the process of a
caterpillar going into the cocoon and changing, over time, into a beautiful butterfly.
Combining the principles of God’s forbearance and the process of repentance we
derive the Lord’s will and work in our lives to empower us to give up our addictions, even
if by one slow step at a time.
Remember, “I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me” (Phil.
4:13 NKJ).
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