Biblical Approach To Addiction

Discover the Best Biblical Approach To Addiction. There is much that the Bible says about addiction. Our Heavenly Father in Christ is interested in our physical, emotional, and social well-being. It is without a doubt that God wants the best for His children. In His mercy and favor, He stands as our strength to overcome every addiction through His Son, Jesus Christ, and by the mighty working power of the Holy Spirit. Addiction is a disease with a long-range of harmful behaviors and conditions. Note that earlier recognition of your addiction can greatly help you to free yourself than when it reaches later stages. This, however, does not mean there is no hope for long-term addicts. It is important to understand here that even in your state of addiction, God loves you and wants you to turn back to Him.

The Bible clearly tells us that All Things Are Possible With God. Hence, we can say without a doubt that even if you’ve been suffering from addiction all through your life, God is willing and able to set you free. The Scriptures say of Jesus Christ, “He came to set the captives free.” That’s why you can confidently come to Him knowing well-fully that He is willing and able to set you free from the captivity of addiction. However, He won’t act without your permission. Remember that God gave us the choice to choose what we want. Hence, if you’ve made up your mind to overcome addiction by His Grace, you can be certain that He’ll help you out. The Bible tells us that whenever God’s children call unto Him for help, they will not go without the testimony of His goodness.

Biblical Approach To Addiction

Overview

As of the time of writing, Medical Doctors diagnose addictions under a category referred to as “substance-related and addictive disorders.” A problematic pattern of use is the main symptom of addiction which leads to clinically significant impairments or distress. Also, note that specific symptoms vary according to the nature of the addictive disorder. It is also worth pointing to the fact that powerful cravings characterize addictions. In this case, the individual in question might not be able to stop partaking in the addictive substance or behavior despite their expressed desire to quit. It is exactly at this point that Divine Intervention is more than ever needed. Immediately Christ steps into the situation, there is a complete turnaround. Repent from your sins and start obeying His Teachings and you’ll live to testify.

Generally, a person with substance use or behavior disorder finds it really difficult to control their use of the substance or control of behavior. Even if they are aware of the harm caused by the abused substance or behavior, they still find it quite difficult to exercise control over the situation. Note that the signs and symptoms surrounding substance use disorder can vary with the individual, the behavior or substance that they can’t exercise control over its use, their family history, and even personal circumstance. Also, substance use disorders have a range of physical, psychological, and social effects that have the ability to drastically reduce or ruin people’s quality of living. Before properly getting into what the Bible says about addiction, we’ll first present the range of effects.

1. Physical symptoms of addiction

Repetitive use of substances or prolonged negative behavior can significantly impact a range of bodily functions and systems. They include the following:

Appetite changes.
Sleeplessness.
Withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, diarrhea, constipation, trembling, sweats, seizures, uncharacteristic and violet behavior.
Withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, diarrhea, constipation, trembling, sweats, seizures, uncharacteristic and violet behavior.
Increasing body tolerance of the substance.
A change in appearance characterized by tiredness and lack of hygiene.
Damage or disease resulting from substance use.

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2. Psychological symptoms of addiction

These are symptoms of addictions that cause mental disorders. They include the following:

Use and abuse of substances continue despite health problems.
An inability to stop using.
Maintaining a behavior of dealing with problems.
Taking unreasonable risks.
Severe Obsession.
Consumption of an initial large dose.

3. Social Symptoms of addiction

Here, substance use abuse or behavioral disorder can affect the way the individual concerned interacts, relates or socializes with other people. They include the following:

Actively dropping hobbies.
Sacrificing activities that previously brought them joy.
Maintaining at all costs a good supply of the substance they are addicted to.
Denial of the fact that they have a problem.
Overemphasizing secrecy and solitude.
Excess consumption or abuse of the substance.
Legal issues popping up.
Having stashes or stocks of substance hidden in parts of the house.
Financial difficulties resulting from overspending in securing a regular supply.

Ways on how to break chains of addiction off your life

It will be a mistake if we fail to present the best ways on how to break chains of addiction off your life in this piece of writing. Although not everyone wants to be free from their addiction, all those who lift up their voices to God for help will certainly find freedom. It is important to understand that God is able to completely break off the chains of addiction that are holding you in darkness. No matter the nature or type of addiction that we are into, God is offering a way out through Christ. Behold, it could be anything moving from smartphone dependency, alcohol, drug, lust, and other sexually related issues in this digital age. Note that things are quite straightforward with God. That is, you won’t necessarily go through a complex strategized rehab process. Never forget that God is the solution to all our problems.

Today, our fight against addiction is simply a reflection of the old-age battle against “SIN”. That is why we can say that the solution to addiction is Sincere Repentance. Just as Jesus Christ said to the woman caught in the very act of adultery, “Go and sin no more”, he is also telling us to go and sin no more. By sincere repentance here, we mean turning away from the ungodly path you are traveling to take that which is enlightened by the will and righteousness of God. Come-on and name that issue you’ve been struggling with, which could be anything from over watching TV and not properly managing your time and handling your physical well-being, family, relationships, and destiny. Whatever be the addiction that you are struggling with, mention it and call on Jesus Christ for help.

5 Steps to Break Chains of Addiction

Repent and renew your mind by daily reading God’s word.
Pray at all times and pray without ceasing so that the devil will flee from you and God’s angels will help you.
Fast and request for strength to overcome the addiction.
Fellowship with other believers.
Have a vision to achieve that will keep you busy and focus.

Biblical Approach To Addiction

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

1 Peter 2:11 – “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”

Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

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John 8:36 – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.“

1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

1 Corinthians 6:12 – “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.

1 John 2:16 – “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.“

Group 1 – Biblical Approach To Addiction

Jeremiah 29:12-13 – “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Psalms 107:19-20 – “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.”

Jeremiah 17:14 – “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”

Psalms 30:1-3 – “I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.”

James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Mark 5:34 – “He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’”

Zechariah 9:12 – “Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.”

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Group 2 – Biblical Approach To Addiction

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.”

Romans 6:5-6 – “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”

1 Corinthians 6:12 – ““I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.”

Revelation 21:3-4 – “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death” or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”

James 5:15-16 – “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Group 3 – Biblical Approach To Addiction

Matthew 5:13 – “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

John 8:36 – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

John 8:31-32 – “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””

John 8:34 – “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.””

Matthew 6:13 – “And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one.”

1 John 2:16 – “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”

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James 1:3 – “Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Titus 2:11-12 – “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”

James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Matthew 26:41 – “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”