Being in bondage to addictions

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We can all agree that through Christ we have a new freedom, right?

John 8:31-32 (NKJV): Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Some would even say that the freedom we gain through Christ gives us freedom to do things.

1 Corinthians 8:8 (NKJV): But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

Those who would say this would go as far as saying that it is ok to drink. Some try to justify it by saying that Jesus and the Disciples drank. One example would be the Last Supper.

However, what they are not aware of is that the wine they drank, did not contain the amount of alcohol that we see in our wines today. The percentage of alcohol in the wine in their day was so minute, that you could hardly tell, kind of like O’Douls.

God’s Word tells us that we should not be “…drunk with wine…” (Ephesians 5:18) but in fact, we are to be “…sober minded…” (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; 2:6; 1 Peter 5:8). The reason? So, that we can be filled with The Spirit, Hospitable, able to lead and teach correctly. I get the feeling that He tells us these things because to be drunk with wine, does not allow us to hear Him.

Have you ever encountered someone who was drunk/stoned? Did they seem to be coherent? Many times in working with people who have these addictions, I have found that not only did they ramble, not stay on topic, but, they didn’t remember what it was they did or said. A majority of the time, they do want to stop but, they slip right back into the same thing over and over again. Some would say that this is insanity, doing the same thing over again, expecting different results.

I beleive it is because they are bondage to this addiciton. Oh, by the way, addicitons go further than drugs or alcohol. Miriam-Webster defines addiction this way:

1.  a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such as gamble)

2. an unusually great interest in something or a need to do or have something

This means anything you do that takes you away from your responsibilities, inhibits you being able to perform your job, etc., in a sense keeps you bondage to it, is an addiction. Beleive it or not things like anger, anxiety, etc, can be considered addicitons.

God wants us to put these things aside and focus on Him. Why? Not because He is controlling. If He was, He would not have given us “choice”. But because He knows what’s best for us. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

So, I encourage you, if you have a bondage to something or if you know someone who has a bondage to something, seek Him, and encourage others to as well.

Until Next Time:

Ezekiel 37:1-6 (NKJV): The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’”

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