What is the Christian response to the devastation of substance abuse? Is addiction simply another word for sin, in which case we are all addicts? Are 12 step programs an acceptable solution for Christians?
Addiction
- Thread starter aspen
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What is the Christian response to the devastation of substance abuse?
The proclamation of the GospeI!
Is addiction simply another word for sin, in which case we are all addicts?
We sin yes but as Christians we are not in bondage to sin as the addict is.
Are 12 step programs an acceptable solution for Christians?
If the Son shall set you free you shall be free indeed. Twelve steps? One step maybe.
The proclamation of the GospeI!
Is addiction simply another word for sin, in which case we are all addicts?
We sin yes but as Christians we are not in bondage to sin as the addict is.
Are 12 step programs an acceptable solution for Christians?
If the Son shall set you free you shall be free indeed. Twelve steps? One step maybe.
So hearing the gospel cures substance abuse? What happens if the addict hears the gospel and still struggles with addiction?
Prentis
New Member
All men in their own power are slaves to sin. The devil can have us in an instant, just turn the right switches.
Only when we walk in the power of God are we truly overcoming, to the fullness of it. We are not at this point today, atleast for the majority. God is preparing his people that he might once again pour out his Spirit like rain. Now is a time of training for those who will carry the pearl of great price. Now is the time where God is preparing us to walk as he walked.
We need two things; to discern our situation, which is such, and to repent and seek God that we might be trained and ready when the time comes.
Only when we walk in the power of God are we truly overcoming, to the fullness of it. We are not at this point today, atleast for the majority. God is preparing his people that he might once again pour out his Spirit like rain. Now is a time of training for those who will carry the pearl of great price. Now is the time where God is preparing us to walk as he walked.
We need two things; to discern our situation, which is such, and to repent and seek God that we might be trained and ready when the time comes.
Miss Hepburn
Well-Known Member
Hi aspen dear, longtime no see, sorry.
Addiction - by Miss Hepburn.
Addiction is another symptom of a soul so desparate to get rid of his pain.
As in anything else - he searches externally grasping over and over thinking
the sex, drugs, food somehow, hoping against hope,will end his torment connecting him to
what he knows not what - but we know can only be God, the fulfiller of every need and desire.
The Lover of our soul.
Sin? Well, I am not going to say it is a sin - it is a lost soul grabbing for the wrong thing to
bandage his wounded heart.
Is a lost person that is ignorant sinning in God's Eyes - I don't know - I would say
he is looked upon with immense compassion - as the adulteress was; for he is looking for God at the bottom of a bottle, but just doesn't know it. But God knows what he's looking for - just in the wrong place.
Poor thing.
If I can feel immense compassion - imagine what God feels who is Compassion.
Addiction - by Miss Hepburn.
Addiction is another symptom of a soul so desparate to get rid of his pain.
As in anything else - he searches externally grasping over and over thinking
the sex, drugs, food somehow, hoping against hope,will end his torment connecting him to
what he knows not what - but we know can only be God, the fulfiller of every need and desire.
The Lover of our soul.
Sin? Well, I am not going to say it is a sin - it is a lost soul grabbing for the wrong thing to
bandage his wounded heart.
Is a lost person that is ignorant sinning in God's Eyes - I don't know - I would say
he is looked upon with immense compassion - as the adulteress was; for he is looking for God at the bottom of a bottle, but just doesn't know it. But God knows what he's looking for - just in the wrong place.
Poor thing.
If I can feel immense compassion - imagine what God feels who is Compassion.
"So hearing the gospel cures substance abuse? What happens if the addict hears the gospel and still struggles with addiction?"
Well then they need to believe it.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek;
(Rom 1:16)
For, indeed, we have had the gospel preached to us, even as they also; but the Word did not profit those hearing it, not having been mixed with faith in the ones who heard.
(Heb 4:2)
Well then they need to believe it.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek;
(Rom 1:16)
For, indeed, we have had the gospel preached to us, even as they also; but the Word did not profit those hearing it, not having been mixed with faith in the ones who heard.
(Heb 4:2)
My response is to walk away and have nothing to do at all with drug addicts that have no intentions to repent. they are just 'Trouble'!
I have tried in the passed to help people like that and went out of my way to help but now i am happy just to walk away.
I think most people who get involved in drugs are just weak spoilt rotten self absorbed brats. and if i could implement the law i would just have them banished.
Boot camp would come first and if they did not scrub up you would be on your way with good riddance, they are parasites.
Just last Friday i went to an old friend who lives with his mother as he needs a carer due to a car accident years ago and his sister is living their to now due to a divorce, she was all over me and talking so much nonsense, even her brother had to try to keep her off me and she is good looking. i am sure she is on speed etc.
I was asked to do a job at their place. and there is no way i am going back their, boy that's trouble i don't need.
I have tried in the passed to help people like that and went out of my way to help but now i am happy just to walk away.
I think most people who get involved in drugs are just weak spoilt rotten self absorbed brats. and if i could implement the law i would just have them banished.
Boot camp would come first and if they did not scrub up you would be on your way with good riddance, they are parasites.
Just last Friday i went to an old friend who lives with his mother as he needs a carer due to a car accident years ago and his sister is living their to now due to a divorce, she was all over me and talking so much nonsense, even her brother had to try to keep her off me and she is good looking. i am sure she is on speed etc.
I was asked to do a job at their place. and there is no way i am going back their, boy that's trouble i don't need.
The twelve steps were started by Christians who loved people. Addiction is bondage just like every other sin. Pride could hold a person in bondage. I am so proud that I was never addicted , never ate too much, never was lazy, never smoked or took a pill or drug, never hoarded money, never addicted to working, never addicted to sex,or porn, or TV, never was out of self control at all. In fact I'm so perfect that you all should be banished from the country just for not being perfect and humble like me! JOKE!
Sorry for being sarcastic, but if people don't love then people don't hear the good news that God forgives us and will help us to overcome everything. Sometimes he does it like magic and sometimes he does not. I know people who have street ministries and 12 step ministries and many people are saved. They come to know that God loves them! Some go on to help others be all they can be in the power of our awesome God! It may not be for everyone but it saves lives! It saves souls that are precious in Gods sight! Addicts have almost always suffered horrific pain in their lives. It is so easy to judge and not love.
Sorry for being sarcastic, but if people don't love then people don't hear the good news that God forgives us and will help us to overcome everything. Sometimes he does it like magic and sometimes he does not. I know people who have street ministries and 12 step ministries and many people are saved. They come to know that God loves them! Some go on to help others be all they can be in the power of our awesome God! It may not be for everyone but it saves lives! It saves souls that are precious in Gods sight! Addicts have almost always suffered horrific pain in their lives. It is so easy to judge and not love.
You can not help people who do not want to be helped.
Some have no moral character and will not do for themselves or others as they are always looking for the easy way out at others expense.
Love should not be stupid. stupid is, stupid does.
I up people directly who i see as they have an addiction be it drug or selfishly greed driven or 3rd rate spineless lowlife attitudes.
Some have no moral character and will not do for themselves or others as they are always looking for the easy way out at others expense.
Love should not be stupid. stupid is, stupid does.
I up people directly who i see as they have an addiction be it drug or selfishly greed driven or 3rd rate spineless lowlife attitudes.
We can't help people who do not want to be helped but God can and does! The situation you refered to in an earlier post sounded like a situation in which you needed to run! Thank God he guides us. Clearly God has not called you to work with addicts or he would have given you love for them. It is sad though if you try to judge and lump people into a group. I know alcoholics who are nicer than some Christians and I also seen them real mean. If God does not give you love then get away, but don't judge everyone by a bad experience.
That's what got them there in the first place aspen. maybe not all. but most likely it is.
And i am pointing it out as it is true.
As Christians we should stand up against all the Devils works.
We are hear to strengthen others not just to pity.
And i am pointing it out as it is true.
As Christians we should stand up against all the Devils works.
We are hear to strengthen others not just to pity.
Prentis
New Member
I think those are wise words!
Blessings in the Lord!
Compassion for the broken remains important. I think you are right that some don't want to change...
I think you're wrong to say all... We should love them. I think what Shirley said was wise; you were in a situation where you SHOULDN'T help... It's not that we should try to fix them, that's God's work, but we should love them. Sometimes that means walking away, other times it means helping them, thus we need to discern... And always love!
The reason I say this is because the impression I get from your posts is that you do not have love for them, and I think it's what others are seeing too... We must speak the truth in love... Have mercy and compassion, that God might have mercy and compassion on us.
They might be low according to your standard, but what if you were low according to God's which is so much higher than man's? You would need his mercy just like they need yours.
Blessings in our Lord!
I have been around them Shirley and i agree with what you say.
I still love them but i am just staying away from all of them as they are just Trouble and i am fed up!
I got pulled up by the police helping one, long story. but i will not let them in my car or around it or in my house from now on as you just can't trust them i had my car searched and put down as associated with drug criminals.
i was foolish to have tried to helped them ! and i see that now. lucky they did not leave drugs in my car.
you are right but i don't think i am wanting to be going to prison.I think those are wise words!
Blessings in the Lord!
Compassion for the broken remains important. I think you are right that some don't want to change...
I think you're wrong to say all... We should love them. I think what Shirley said was wise; you were in a situation where you SHOULDN'T help... It's not that we should try to fix them, that's God's work, but we should love them. Sometimes that means walking away, other times it means helping them, thus we need to discern... And always love!
The reason I say this is because the impression I get from your posts is that you do not have love for them, and I think it's what others are seeing too... We must speak the truth in love... Have mercy and compassion, that God might have mercy and compassion on us.
They might be low according to your standard, but what if you were low according to God's which is so much higher than man's? You would need his mercy just like they need yours.
Blessings in our Lord!
Wisdom is important! Never let the drug addict from the street into your car or house unless God leads you to. Do not hang out with them! In your case stay far away!
Prentis
New Member
I was trying to make the point that some addicts are awesome people and they have only this one hang-up but otherwise are good samaritans. Others never even stood a chance!
I remember one time I was walking up the street with another woman. There was a drunk man sitting on the curb with his feet in the street. He had been thrown out of the bar for being too drunk. He was saying "no one loves me" My heart went out to the poor old drunkard. I was moved with compassion and to this day I can not get out of my head how much love I instantly felt towards this old man. I wish I could have sat down on the curb with him and told him how much God loved him. How Jesus died for him! The woman I was with heard me say awe, as I moved towards this poor tortured soul. She grabbed my arm and shouted no at me and turned on him and shouted that's because you are nasty! I allowed her to drag me away and did not comfort the poor old man and I feel bad about it to this day!
I remember one time I was walking up the street with another woman. There was a drunk man sitting on the curb with his feet in the street. He had been thrown out of the bar for being too drunk. He was saying "no one loves me" My heart went out to the poor old drunkard. I was moved with compassion and to this day I can not get out of my head how much love I instantly felt towards this old man. I wish I could have sat down on the curb with him and told him how much God loved him. How Jesus died for him! The woman I was with heard me say awe, as I moved towards this poor tortured soul. She grabbed my arm and shouted no at me and turned on him and shouted that's because you are nasty! I allowed her to drag me away and did not comfort the poor old man and I feel bad about it to this day!
Alcohol and drug addiction does not discriminate. There are character flaws in every population, including addicts. Being codependent towards anyone who is active in their addiction is never wise....you will be taken advantage and the addict will just get closer to the grave. The best people to work with addicts are addicts, even better, Christian addicts.
tomwebster
New Member
- Dec 11, 2006
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You don't know much about addiction, do you? And you know even less about addicts. You should thank God you are not one of them.
Addiction isn't restricted to drugs and alcohol.
Sexual addiction (especially with the accessability of materials via the Internet) has ballooned in the last two decades.
In many cases it has been at least as destructive on the person and their family as drugs and alcohol.
But since admission and treatment are not as "mainstream acceptable" as other addictions, many people do not seek help for it.
There is also addition to (obsession with) money.
Self-love is also a form of addiction. The things you are compelled to do to satisfy that love are in and of themselves an addiction.
Some would say that those suffering from those addictions are simply victims, cannot help themselves and thus can't be counted as sinners.
True, they cannot address the issues themselves.
But if they realize those addictions aren't just destroying their lives but putting a barrier between them and Christ, the very least they should be doing is actively seeking counseling and support.
They should also realize that God does indeed heal. Sometimes instantaniously and completely, and sometimes it is simply by giving the person the strength of will to successfully complete treatment and the discipline afterwards (through continued interaction - prayer - with Him) to remain on the straight and narrow.
Sexual addiction (especially with the accessability of materials via the Internet) has ballooned in the last two decades.
In many cases it has been at least as destructive on the person and their family as drugs and alcohol.
But since admission and treatment are not as "mainstream acceptable" as other addictions, many people do not seek help for it.
There is also addition to (obsession with) money.
Self-love is also a form of addiction. The things you are compelled to do to satisfy that love are in and of themselves an addiction.
Some would say that those suffering from those addictions are simply victims, cannot help themselves and thus can't be counted as sinners.
True, they cannot address the issues themselves.
But if they realize those addictions aren't just destroying their lives but putting a barrier between them and Christ, the very least they should be doing is actively seeking counseling and support.
They should also realize that God does indeed heal. Sometimes instantaniously and completely, and sometimes it is simply by giving the person the strength of will to successfully complete treatment and the discipline afterwards (through continued interaction - prayer - with Him) to remain on the straight and narrow.
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