ABUSE (Alcohol & Substance)

Alcohol and substance abuse have caused terrible effects on people’s lives not just to the addicted but also to those close to them and it has sometimes led to the death of users. It is usually a big struggle between the users and the object (alcohol/drug of abuse), especially when they realise it has taken their freedom away. They become slaves to it. They lead a life of darkness, denial, and despair. Presently, millions struggle with alcohol and substance abuse.

The journey into it mostly starts with pleasure (note that there are other reasons as well), with the user not knowing how the pleasure can take their will and sensibility away. Some people abuse the use of alcohol to take their minds off personal problems, unfortunately for them, the problems persist because it is not the solution to the problem. Until you deal with a problem, it keeps staring you in the face.

Although we all have free will, do not give it away to temptation. You have the right to say NO to certain pleasures that do not give promotional benefits. Some experts believe that people who are struggling with addictions do not have the power to choose to stop but require treatment to recover. The more reason not to give that power away in the first place. Some people do say “but the bible did not say we should not drink and therefore it is not a sin”, but I put it to you that the bible did spell out the consequence of drinking alcohol.

Let me share a story of an air hostess and a passenger with you. The air hostess was repeatedly going to a passenger to ask if she could offer him alcohol on a flight, but he kept telling her NO until she went the third time and he asked her a question, can you offer the pilot some alcohol? She answered, no Sir, he is on duty then he replied to her, am also on duty so I cannot take alcohol. If I take alcohol, I compromise my sense of responsibility as a Son in the kingdom of God, my alertness is always needed which also applies to the Pilot flying the plane because lives are hanging on him. The scripture admonishes us to be awake and sober always because we are light that must light others, lives are resting on our shoulders.

Even the world system recognises the danger of drinking and penalises anyone who drives after taking alcohol no matter what amount you take. Under the influence, some people are given to violence and rape, etc, they do what they cannot do in their right minds. When you are sober and alert, you’re more likely to make the right choices.

Ephesians 5:18

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Thessalonians 5:6–8

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Proverbs 31:4–5

It is not for kings, Lemuel — it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer. For they will drink and forget what has been decreed and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

Proverbs 23:31–32

Do not gaze at wine when it is red when it sparkles in the cup when it goes down smoothly! In the end, it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.

Isaiah 5:11

Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!

The subject of substance abuse was not directly addressed in the bible, but normal judgment would make it clear that God does not support it. Just like alcohol, substance abuse compromises the mind and body, it lowers the self-control of the user. Our body is the temple of God, so do you think He would approve a compromised mind? Rather He wants us to be consumed by the Holy Spirit, His Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honour God with your body.

1 Corinthians 3:17

If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Hebrews 11:25

He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Romans 5:3–5

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Ultimately, you should not allow yourself to become a slave to your liberties.

1 Corinthians 6:12

I have the right to do anything,” you say–but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to anything”–but I will not be mastered by anything.

1 Peter 5:8

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

The spell of addiction tempts users to sin which is what God does not want. His word admonishes us to stay away from things that cause us to sin.

Proverbs 22:3

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Matthew 18:8–9

If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

Some of the consequences of alcohol and substance abuse include confusion, trouble concentrating, breathing issues, lack of inhibitions, memory problems, motor impairment, slurred speech, family distress, depression, withdrawal, financial drain, and in extreme cases, coma or death.

On the road to recovery, usually in treatment centers, the focus is usually on the physical and mental healing interestingly more than half of those who go for treatment return to the addiction. This shows that the addiction has gripped their spirit and soul therefore a better perspective to treatment would be to include spiritual healing which gives a ripple effect, also influencing the healing of affected families, although not many agree to this kind of treatment option, its wonders cannot be denied. When the Holy Spirit steps in to help, and you grow in your relationship with Him, the recovery is 100% (there are so many testimonies to this).

The Healing Process:

•You need the Holy Spirit to help you through the journey of recovery, but you cannot have the Holy Spirit except you accept Jesus into your life.

Take this prayer to accept the Lordship of Jesus over your life:

Lord Jesus, I come to you today asking you to accept me and forgive all my sins. Wash me with your precious blood that was shed for me. I am sorry for the way I have led my life all along. Be my Saviour, come, take the Lordship of my life from today. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit henceforth to be my friend, comfort, and guide. Amen.

Welcome to the Kingdom of Life!

John 14:16

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor — Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever.

John 14:26

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.

•Do away with friends that will lure you back into the addictive habit.

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.

• Speak with someone older in the faith to constantly pray with you and see the person as your accountability partner. Whenever you feel the urge to fall back, call the person immediately.

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.

1 Corinthians 10:13

But when you are tempted, He [God] will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

•Take your necessary treatment drugs, especially for people who were into substance abuse.

•Pray and study the word of God more.

•Always engage your mind in productive things or work.

You can have your life back, make that choice!

THE END

You can also check my previous story here.

Dan Moore Kris Gage Wake Up Call P.S. I Love You @writingsolo