Break Free From Addiction With Wisdom From Scripture
- General Biblical Studies, Interdenominational Christian Training Center
Addiction is a chronic or habitual dependency on a substance , a compulsion , or an activity . These are just a few of the many addictions people use to cope with overwhelming life events or to escape emotional pain and anxiety.
While the Bible does not explicitly mention the word addiction, it does contain numerous passages that address the issue and offer wisdom to help believers break free from sin and the consequences of addiction. These Bible verses about addiction provide hope, healing, guidance, and insight on your road to recovery.
Why Your Kids Misbehave And What To Do About It
Tantrums. Talking back. Throwing toys or food. Meltdowns. Slamming doors. Kids know just how to push your buttons. Youve tried all sorts of methods, but nothing seems to work. In this book, Dr. Kevin Leman reveals exactly why kids misbehave and how you can turn that behavior around with practical, no-nonsense strategies that really work . . . and are a long-term win for both of you.
What Is Substance Abuse And What Does The Bible Say About It
Substance abuse is a broad term for addiction or inappropriate use of a chemical substance to alter one’s mental, emotional or physical state, whether the substance is ingested orally, injected intravenously or inhaled. Abuse doesn’t always involve or lead to addiction, while dependence is the therapeutic term that defines addiction. Substance abuse generally damages one’s health, because the substances are often extremely toxic and dangerous.
In general, the Bible does not disapprove of moderate drinking of alcoholic beverages, but the Bible strongly condemns drunkenness . We also know by biblical principles that if a person has developed a dependence on alcohol, that person should commit to abstinence.
Because the Bible talks about wrong use of alcohol, it is logical to expand this to other mood-altering substances. The Bible does not specifically address the evils of drug use, but refers to “the lust of the flesh” as a description of out-of-control desire .
How do I know if I have an addiction?
2 Peter 2:19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.
Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.
Now that I have admitted I have an addiction, how can I face others?
I am so ashamed, even though I have apologized. How do I begin to feel better about myself?
What is God’s solution for shame?
How can I stop relapsing?
There Is Hope!
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Sharing Your Faith With Grace And Purpose
You can confidently and lovingly share your faithyou just need to learn some new tactics to do so! In this Focus on the Family Daily Broadcast, apologist Greg Koukl outlines the Columbo tactic of asking questions, the self-defeating argument tactic to find holes in your opponents arguments, and other specific methods for engaging in faith-building conversations with others. Greg pulls from his over 30 years of experience debating atheists and agnostics to help you share your faith with grace and truth.
Theres Always A Way Out
The Bible is also very clear that while God puts temptations in front of people, there will always be a way out if they are willing to pursue it. Life may lead you into addiction and pain, but there will always be ways to pull yourself out, through your community, through rehabilitation and substance abuse treatment, and through God.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
What this will look like for you will likely heavily depend on your home and social life, your community, and your relationships. But, no matter what, God will provide a way.
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Five Things Christians Should Know About Relapse And Recovery
Addiction is a condition that plagues millennials. And its not simply drug addictionwhether youre addicted to pornography, social media or entertainment, youre struggling with a dangerous idol that threatens your relationships, not least among them your relationship with God, who wants desperately to offer you freedom.
But relapse happens. As a recovering alcoholic, I personally know the pain of returning to the bottle, and the difficulty of finding release once youve sunk back in. Im also intimately familiar with the guilt, shame and self-judgement that come along with relapse. Here are a few things that Christians should know about relapse.
What Does The Bible Say About Drugs
The Bible has a lot to say about intoxication, sobriety and intentionally harming the body. But it doesnt directly address the disease of addiction because the word addiction wasnt used when the Bible was written.
Some newer translations of the Bible use the word addicted, but the accuracy of different translations is unknown. This article uses the New International Version of the Bible.
The concepts of addiction and dependence only developed in the 20th century, according to a 2007 article published in the journal Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience.
Numerous Scriptures can be interpreted to imply that addiction is a sin, but meanings of Scriptures are debatable. In the first book of Corinthians, were warned that temptations can overpower us, but we are given the resources to overcome those temptations.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
- No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it
Substance abuse may be one of the temptations that the verse refers to. Alcohol and drug use are relatively common today. Addiction may be considered a temptation. Its difficult for many to bear. But God provides a way out. Rehab and addiction treatment can help individuals overcome the disease, and many people believe spirituality is a key component of recovery.
Other Scriptures are more direct.
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Jesus Looked At Them And Said With Men It Is Impossible But Not With God For With God All Things Are Possible Mark : 27
Many times in recovery, the goal of long-term sobriety may seem out of reach or even impossible to achieve. This verse is a reminder that with Gods help, recovery is indeed possible. If what you want seems unattainable, ask God for a little help in navigating the way ahead. Little successes should be celebrated and praise given to the Lord for each of them.
Remember that nothing is beyond possibility when people put their trust and faith in God. Focusing on spirituality has helped many people in recovery from substance use disorders and those with mental health conditions gain a more positive perspective that assists with their overall healing process.
The Spiritual Battle For Your Marriage
God designed marriage to reflect His love to the world and because of this, the enemy wants to destroy Gods beautiful design. Based on his book, Defending Your Marriage, Dr. Tim and Noreen Muehlhoff share about the reality of spiritual warfare against marriages, and how to combat the enemys lies with the truth of God. Couples will be encouraged that theyre not alone in the fight for a godly marriage and better equipped to be a shining example for the world around them.
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Can You Really Recover From Drug Addiction
Go somewhere else to forget about drug: This is the first step you can take to get rid of drug addiction quickly.
What Are Some Bible Verses About Addiction
Bible Verses About Addiction. Proverbs 20:1 Wine a mocker, strong drink raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to the lusts . Psalms 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee,
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Embracing Your Role As A Spouse
As a spouse, you have three roles to playa friend, a partner, and a lover. On this one-day Focus on the Family broadcast, Pastor Kevin A. Thompson explores those different roles and challenges you to live them out by investing emotionally, physically, and mentally in your relationship. As friends, he suggests we learn to play and laugh together. As partners, he equips us with solid ways to handle conflict and communication. As lovers, he offers some thoughts on how to bring back the sizzle. He shares five keys to saving your marriage: humility, respect, mercy, communication, and resilience. Youll be encouraged to intentionally invest in your marriage.
Sex Addiction In Christian Men
In every aspect of life, from friendships to our language, Christian men often fall short. The same is true in our sexuality. From our review of Biblical passages about sex, it should be evident that sex inside marriage is a pleasnat, profound and mysterious gift.
Not a mystery that clouds our understanding but rather a mystery that encourages exploration.
However, sex and sexual behavior outside of marriage can be destructive, painful for self and others and outside Gods design and therefor sinful. For some men, their sex lives go beyond being unfaithful to God and their wives and reveal an addiction.
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Loving Your Spouse Through The Seasons Of Marriage
Debra Fileta has identified the four seasons of marriage that correspond with our natural seasons spring , summer , fall , and winter . In this interview, she will help couples better understand the four seasons of healthy relationships, what to expect during each one, and how to carefully navigate them for a stronger marriage.
Christ Came To Set Us Free From Sins Control
Galatians 5:1 says that Jesus Christ set us free, and therefore, we should not get tied up again in slavery to sin. John 8:36 also says that the Son of God sets us free, and so we are free indeed.
Romans 6:67We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.
Romans 6:11So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:12-13Do not let sin control the way you live do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.
Romans 6:14Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of Gods grace.
Romans 6:1819Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.
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Overcoming Challenges Specific To Alcohol Addiction
If you ask the average person what drug people are most commonly addicted to, you might get a wide variety of responses. The answer is alcohol. It has been mentioned here that the legal drugs are some of the most addicting: caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Of these and all of the illegal drugs, including the sometimes legal, sometimes illegal drug marijuana, the most commonly abused drug is alcohol.
Abuse of alcohol can start early for many 12 or 13 years old is not uncommon. In fact, research has shown that those who start drinking before 19 have a much more difficult time achieving lasting sobriety in adulthood. Why? Well, that is a good question. But one view is that the use of alcohol during the formative years of development short circuits healthy emotional development and well as the growth of healthy intimacy skills. Alcohol becomes the tool used to manage emotion and difficult feelings like social anxiety, anger, hurt, sadness, fear, hopeless, and insecurity. In order to have fun with friends or to feel confident sexually, alcohol becomes the relaxer and the courage producer. When that adolescent then becomes an adult, genuine engagement without alcohol, or some other drug, is very difficult or may even feel impossible.
My wife says Im an addict. She is super over-reactive and judgmental.
Im concerned about how I depend on having that glass or two of wine each night.
My husband says Im an alcoholic. He gets upset when I have even one drink.
Be Kind To One Another Tender
Forgiveness is such an integral part of recovery but its also one of the most challenging steps in recovery, not to mention for anyone. But in the pursuit of forgiveness, remember that self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others are equally important. This is one of the most profound Bible verses about addiction since forgiveness is something each person so desperately needs to let go of past hurts and wrongs and live a fulfilling life.
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Impactful Verses For Addicts And Concerned Loved Ones
August 14, 2020|Posted in Recovery Resources
Most people struggling with addiction are really looking for comfort aside from addiction treatment in Atlanta. They seek something to help them deal with stress and with situations that are outside of their control. Their loved ones are also seeking comfort. However, theyre looking for comfort regarding the addict and their loss of control. If youve spoken to a drug and alcohol counselor, they may have suggested you seek solace in your faith. Both those with addictions and their loved ones can find peace and comfort in certain Biblical verses.
A Consequence Of Brokeness And Sin
Most addicts are emotionally wounded people who have experienced severe trauma, often in childhood. Their addiction becomes a way of coping with everyday life, helping them forget or mask past hurts. Instead, the person ends up in a destructive cycle of bondage to sin, rendering them incapable of experiencing the freedom and wholeness they truly want and need.
2 Peter 2:19For you are a slave to whatever controls you.
John 8:34
Romans 6:16Dont you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.
Romans 6:2021For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
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What Does The Bible Say About Depression
Depression is a mental illness that negatively affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts. Common symptoms of depression include severe sadness, feelings of emptiness and worthlessness, and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Although depression is a mental disorder, it can also impact a persons physical health. People with depression who do not receive mental health treatment often experience physical changes like extreme weight loss or weight gain and unexplainable pains. Its also common for people with mental illnesses like depression to turn to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. Our Christian inpatient drug treatment program has helped many patients who engaged in substance abuse to self-medicate and deal with other problems.
Though the word depression is only mentioned a few times in the Bible, its often referenced by other common words in Scripture, like downcast, brokenhearted, troubled, miserable, despairing, mourning, and more. The Bible talks about depression often, and there are numerous stories about faithful and influential people who suffered dark times and afflictions like depression. Below are some examples of what the Bible says about depression and verses for depression that can help you or a loved one stay strong amid hardship.
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Remaining Addicted Is A Sin
Substance abuse is a temptation that leads you away from the light of God. You cannot be a Christian and continue to indulge, but you can accept God back into your life and have your sins washed away. There is always hope for forgiveness, no matter how far you have fallen into addiction.
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:10-11
This message is repeated throughout the Bible, in the Old and New Testatament.
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God Galations 5:21
In Romans, the Bible explicitly talks about throwing off bounds of substance abuse and poor habits and rising up to be worthy of salvation and of God.
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Romans 13:10-13
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