Addiction
Dr. John K. Mathew
A man given to drink once said to a preacher, "After all, Jesus turned water into wine"!
His reply, "If you use Jesus as your example for drinking, why don't you follow his example in everything else"? Sincere Christians consider verses such as Rom.13:12 and 13 and I Cor. 6:9 and 10, which read, "Let us behave properly, as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in immorality and wickedness, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lust."
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God". Warren Wiersbe narrates the story of a drunken coal miner who was converted and became a vocal witness for Christ. One of his friends tried to trap him by asking, "Do you believe that Jesus turned water into wine". " I certainly do!" the believer replied, "In my home, He has turned wine into furniture, decent clothes, and food for my children!". Today drinking and gambling are not the few habits that addict people.
What is an addiction? " It is a physical or psychological need to do, take or using something, to the point where it could be harmful to you." It can be drugs both illicit and prescription, alcohol, nicotine, work, computers, shopping, sex, money, and food or just anything. If it enslaves you it is an addiction!.
It is at this point we realize that we all are addicted to something as Apostle James says, " brothers,... we all err in many ways" (3:1). There is an awareness of the dangers of smoking today, but drinking is considered a symbol of social status. Most of the advertisements that promote the sale of alcoholic beverages depict fashionable people in gracious settings, giving the subtle impression that 'social drinking' and success are synonymous. But pastors, social workers, physicians, and dedicated members of Alcoholic Anonymous would paint a different picture. They have seen firsthand the wrecked marriages, ruined bodies and minds, abused families, and shattered careers that often accompany what people call 'social drinking'.
What is the remedy? Here are some helpful tips:
Do not deny the facts, acknowledge our indebtedness.
Do not deny any sort of assistance.
Do have a deep desire to get rid of it.
Do our best to be disciplined.
Develop a habit of accountability.
Depart from all sorts of evil influences, and above all.
Depend upon God's Word and His promises.
Please remember, there is nothing impossible with God!
