16-Biblical Anger Management-C Factors-3-Alcohol and Drugs

 

                                                3 -ALCOHOL AND DRUGS-

  It is not difficult for the Lord to set us free from addictions, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36 However on our part the battle might be grueling.

All that the Lord requires of us is, “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21, and He will help us with the rest. Do not fear, there is help even like AA or whatever type of support you may need. Your responsibility is to be relentlessly wholehearted in faith and obedience.

The difference between Alcohol and drugs: The Bible does not at all discourage the drinking of alcohol, only drunkenness. A person can drink alcohol and not get drunk, but when drugs are used for so-called recreation, it is to get stoned. As for the use of drugs, the Bible indicates that when used as medicine it is for health and healing.

 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery… drunkenness… I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:16-20-21 “Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries (pharmakeia/drugs), nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.” Revelation  9:21

In the Scriptures, drunkenness/getting stoned is called, unwise, a work of darkness, a work of the flesh, unrighteous, related to works of wickedness (especially if a believer is involved), and idolatry. Proverbs 20:1, 1 Thess. 5:7, 1 Corinthians 5:11-13, 6:9-10, 10:7. This is extremely serious, and not only is it sin before God, but can open us up to demonic influences and control, fill our lives with innumerable hurts, insecurities, and fears…apart from the harm that they bring in the lives of others.

Anger can thrive in this environment! They take away the ability to control ourselves, our ability to understand, perceive clearly, and to make rational and just judgments. Drugs in the Bible are equated with sorcery. In sorcery, drugs are used to open up the user to the spiritual/demonic realm. This is another activity the Scriptures condemn. THESE CAN BE EXTREMELY SERIOUS AND VERY EVIL IN GOD’S SIGHT!!!

 

THE NEXT STEPS ARE PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL IN THE REALM OF TOYING WITH THESE ACTIVITIES, BUT FOR THOSE WHO ARE FULLY ADDICTED, YOU NEED TO GET HELP AND THE LORD'S MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE. GET HELP NOW!!!

 

ACTION STEP#1 Get right with God immediately!- repent and confess

                              your sin to Him and ask Him to forgive you, deliver

                               you, and help you!!! in the name of the

                                 LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!

STOP  - CONSIDER – DECIDE – DO SO NOW!!!

Note: This will only work when we surrender our affection and dependence for these things with all our hearts to the Lord and turn to Him to fill us. The key words here are: to the Lord, surrender, and turn with all our hearts.

 

NOTE- Again - Jesus said, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36   “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. When we come to God the Father through Jesus Christ His Son, He works miracles and forgives, sets free, heals, and delivers. Whatever we need from Him He graciously and lovingly grants in Jesus.

However, repentance and faith are absolute prerequisites for God to step in. Praying and using Jesus’ name are not magic formulas. That is how we connect with God; however, He requires faith and truth in the inner parts. Often we come to Him and we want help with our problems and the consequences of our actions, choices, and affections, but we don’t really want Him or have Him rule our lives. Nor do we really want to give up our sins because we love them and enjoy the pleasure we get out of them. Furthermore, we do not really believe that what we are doing is all that serious or evil, we only don’t like some of the consequences or repercussions. Then often we blame God when He doesn’t seem to help us when we ask for help. Psalm 51:6,17

 

NOTE #2 – Other reasons why deliverance from alcohol and drugs doesn’t come easily is because they are merely the fruit of other problems, hurts, lifestyles, thinking, and values… These are what need to be changed and dealt with. Expect another struggle with the physically addictive aspects of alcohol and drugs. There are times when God just heals, and for others it is the long road.

ACTION STEP #2- GO AFTER THE ROOT(S) AND REPENT. WE NEED 

                                THE GUIDANCE AND HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

                                AND GOD’S WORD FOR THIS.

a.       Do you do this/these because you like them? Repent,

break your agreement with them. They are sins! Col.3:2,1Peter 2:11

   STOP-CONSIDER-DECIDE BEFORE GOD WHO AND WHAT YOU WILL FOLLOW- WEIGH THE REWARDS AND CONSEQUENCES.

b.      Is it because of the company we associate with? “Bad

Company corrupts good character.” “Have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness,” 1 Corinthians 15:33, Ephesians 5:11

STOP-CONSIDER-DECIDE- You have some very serious decisions to make and action to take. How serious do you consider your situation and state? Are you being any benefit to your friends?

NOTE!!! – If you are in a situation that you cannot change or get out of, God will give you the grace to walk free of these sins if your heart and your faith in Him are sincere.            

                                       Are you entangled in another sin that you may think is un-

related or you do not recognize? “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Common related factors are immoral relationships, theft, dishonesty, abuse, idolatry.

                                 STOP- CONSIDER- IDENTIFY- REPENT!!!

NOTE- These solutions may seem too simple, cold, unreasonable, but remember that the Bible teaches to “flee from the wrath to come”. The Lord Jesus Christ will help you walk these out if you trust Him and follow Him wholeheartedly.

c.       Are you suffering from some hurts? “He heals the broken

Hearted and binds up their wounds.” Run to Jesus for your healing and comfort, He loves you so much.

STOP- CONSIDER –DECIDE- RUN!!!- AND STAY IN HIM FOREVER!

d.      Do you feel that these are the only ways you can get

Pleasures? “In the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  “Whoever comes to Me(Jesus) will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.” You are going to the wrong source!

e.       It gives you peace and comfort. Jesus Christ gives us a

 Peace that the world cannot give, and that passes understanding. John 14:27, Phil.4:7

The Holy Spirit, He is our Comforter. John 14

NOTE –Organic isn’t the issue with God; the sin is doing drugs. Galatians 5:21

STOP- CONSIDER- DECIDE- CHANGE YOUR GOD-DO SO NOW!!!

JESUS CHRIST IS OFFERING YOU A WHOLE NEW LIFE, YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN, THEN TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM.

THIS LIFE WILL NEVER END. JESUS ISN’T AN ALTERNATIVE, HE IS GOD’S CHOICE. THE OTHER IS AN EVIL COUNTERFEIT.

 

When combating addictions, pat answers and courses can often seem almost useless. God is a God of miracles and power, He can deliver you. For some people He does this instantly, for others He takes us through the long hard route. Either way should be acceptable. Do yourself a favor and do not try to model yourself after anyone else but look only to the Lord Jesus Christ for your inspiration and help.

Things to be aware of: - The relentless pressure from the flesh. Romans 8:13, Galatians 516-17

                              -   The constant merciless temptations 2 Timothy 2:22

                                    that seem so irresistible and appealing. James 1:14-15

                              -    The temptation to be half-hearted, doubled-minded and

                                    unconcerned “Whoredom and wine and new wine take

                                     away the heart.” Hosea 4:11, James 1:5-8

                                -      the unwillingness to make changes that are necessary in our

                                     interests, values, desires, friends, thinking, habits… Isaiah 1:19

                                - these in any combination will lead to frustration, discouragement, failure.

WHAT SHALL WE DO?! EMBRACE THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD

                         “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

                        “I can do all things through Christ Which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

                        “For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the (Holy) Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.” Romans 8:13

                        “There has 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 you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

               

                        “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave on the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-7

                         “My son, give Me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”

Proverbs 23:26

                         

 There is help of every kind. You can change and be free if you want.

The real issue with these is that Jesus Christ and God the Father must become the God and Lord of your life, then watch Him do Wonders!