AVOID HARMFUL ADDICTIONS

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A. What is Wrong With A Little Wine (Proverbs 23:31-35)?

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Few things put more stress on a family than a family member who is addicted to something. In today's society, even Christian families face this problem.

One of Satan's most deceptive lies is the belief that as long as you do something in moderation, it will not hurt you.
An alcoholic may have at one time been a moderate drinker until he became addicted and lost control of his life.
The compulsive gambler only wagered a few coins at first.
Soon he found himself believing he was only one wager away from the "big win".

There are many forms of addiction. They include gambling, drinking, drugs, drugs, pornography, and violence. Each can create a high level of stress in the home and potentially destroy the family.
The addicted person can make life miserable for everyone.

God's Word provides warnings to help avoid being caught in the trap of addictive habits. The book of Proverbs addresses the issue of alcohol. We can learn from this passage a lot about how alcoholic addiction occurs. The writer provided a vivid description of a drunkard's sorrows (verse 29-30).

Verse 31 warns "Look not upon the wine ... when it moveth itself aright". The writer pointed out how subtly addiction works. Note the words he used in verse 31 to describe its enticement. Wine "moveth itself aright" (KJV) , or "goes down smoothly" (NIV).
While one is drinking. It is difficult to comprehend its results. Those who began to drink probably did not intend to become alcoholics.

The deception took place with the first drink.

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Many alcoholics state that their actions are harmless and innocent; drinking brings them pleasure. But an addicted person is a lot like the plough animals in the early days of farming. The farmer would tie a carrot to a stick and dangle it in front of the plough animals just out of reach. The animal would trudge around the field all day trying to get a bit of that carrot. Addicts believe that one day they will find the satisfaction they desire. It is just one more experience away.

Note in verse 31, the description of the results of drinking - "it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an added". Alcohol causes a person to lose control of his thinking (verse 34). Under the influence of alcohol, people would do and say what they would never in their normal conditions. People who drink lose control of their equilibrium (verse 34). They become like sailors staggering around ship in storm. They end up in a stupor, like sailors sleeping in a ship's rigging.

Alcohol can become the master of people's lives. Even when physical pain, their only need is for one more drink (verse 35).
It is impossible to measure the negative effects this and other addictions can have on a family. But be sure, these addictions take their toll.
Does this mean that there is no help for the addicts? Of cause not.
But the addicts whether drug, alcohol, behavior, etc do not admit that they have a problem to themselves or to others. Help is available if they desire it. But they must first be ready to admit their need.

God's Answer (Ephesians 5:15-18).

For the believer, part of resisting those things that cause addiction comes from an understanding of what it means to live a Christian Life.
In Ephesians 5:15, Paul instructed the Christians there "to walk circumspectly". The word can also be translated "carefully" or "accurately". The believers are to understand the importance of living a life above reproach. Such understanding will cause to shun anything that has the potential of controlling our lives.

We are further admonished not to be foolish but to have an understanding of what the will of the Lord is (verse 17). By knowing the will of the Lord, and knowing what pleases God, then and only then can we carry it out in our lives.

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Part of God's will is not to be "drunk with wine" but "be filled with the Spirit" (verse 18). As Spirit-filled believers we are not to be controlled by anything other than the Spirit of God. Taking one drink of alcohol, popping one pill buying one lottery ticket, or looking at pornographic films can begin the process of being brought under that habit's control.

Instead of the ridiculous display of an addicted person, we can experience the presence of God with peace, joy, happiness, and love.

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CONCLUSION

Thanks once again for your time in reading the post. I am inspired to have you going through this post.

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