Addiction Is A Matter Of Choice

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Addiction Is A Matter Of Choice Addiction with drugs and alcohol is a matter of choice to a Christian. I struggled with addiction myself. It was a subtle trap. It has to be addressed eventually regardless and the sooner, the better. I believe lack of moral environment is a cause of youth destruction and negative addiction. A child raised in a community with moral integrity and Bible-love promoting parents would have no need to want to look for anything that is not approved of God, such as drunkenness or dope dependence. It is when good child training is missing that problems occur. Lack of Christian encouragement and wisdom is passively dangerous. When I was about fourteen I began experimenting with excessive amounts of the harmful chemicals that bring so much shame and grief. If I remember correctly, I started with cigarettes. It did not seem like a big problem at the time; actually it was acceptable among the deceived of society. Children could even buy them at the store. Proverbs 25.26: “A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.” Eventually, I tampered with alcohol. The first time I drank I became drunk on wine and found myself waking up in a car, sick with vomit on the floor. I realized that I had made a mistake. I knew I had lost control of myself. I felt terrible physically and my memory was blurred. The regretted experience was shocking in its own way. Nevertheless, I continued to drink, vomit and bear the hangover during my school years. I was so deceived that I thought I could drink and have pleasure even if it made me sick and I did embarrassing things. It was disastrous. I even hid whiskey and beer when I was in my teens so I wouldn't be out of stock. One time after getting drunk I had a bottle of Fighting Cock and left it outside in the cold of winter to drink later. When I went out to get it I found a broken bottle. It had frozen and cracked. I was so disappointed. Drinking was relatively expensive for a school student and I knew I would have to spend more money to get more. There were times when I thought about quitting but I kept procrastinating. When a Christian wants to please God, he cannot let a sin continue in his life. God makes life beautiful with the recognition of his love. However, he chastises his children when they don't obey, very severely at times! When misery takes the place of happiness, it is because of disobedience. I knew the things I were doing were sinful, but the addiction seemed overpowering. However, I did not have an encouraging environment... and that's what it takes! A strong, church fellowship is all a Christian needs to help him get back on track. Unfortunately, we live in the apostasy. Churches have been deteriorating for the last century. Many church members are caught up in their own sins other than drug addiction. The members don't have knowledge of the Scriptures and integrity; therefore, they lack the influential ability to aid someone looking for an example how to overcome a sin such as a substance abuse problem. Encouragement is hard to find sometimes. That is why so many erring Christians end up continuing in their deception and even fall into very harmful things to their own soul and others. Who can be more miserable than a self-condemned Christian! 1 John 1.9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If you are a Christian and you want to quit sinning, I have praise for you. God wants you to come to Him. He doesn't want you to live in self-condemnation. Make confession unto God. Don't let a wicked society discourage you from putting away the sin. I would suggest (even though many times I did not do it myself) if you have to, let the wicked encourage you but don't pick up any other sins from them... find an AA or NA meeting. I only attended few meetings and never really considered myself a member. However, it is better to associate with someone who doesn't follow God totally but supports your quitting and welfare than someone who makes it easy for you to abuse a substance. They even have members who are abstinent from alcohol and drug abuse for years. So, if they can do it without strict, Christian fellowship, you can more happily because God is with you already. I rather much more you find a church but if you are not satisfied with that, then find whatever fellowship you can get to not let the chemical abuse drag you further in deterioration and away from God's peace. Stop at even less fulfilling costs of putting away deceitful pleasure that only brings more destruction, shame and grief. As I mentioned in another paper about leaving AA because it not the best choice for seeking spiritual encouragement, if necessary, give yourself at least a couple of years to recover at a Christian community from your last relapse. Teen Challenge is only one of many. You can find many rehabilitation centers on the Internet. You should not have to pay a lot of money for it either. I was in several communities and the one I paid the most was merely a part of my weekly earnings for room and board. It wasn't much more expensive than renting my own room and paying for my own meals. I have lived at some community establishments that were free! We live in a wicked world and it is hard for anyone to not get messed up. A Christian's purpose is to be well, and make a goal to go on to perfection (Hebrews 6:1-3). This takes the judgment and will to separate from the antagonistic. A Christian with a substance abuse problem is not a powerless person in need of a higher power; Christians that want to correct their life already have the Lord most high as their supporter. Make a decision (choice) to serve God and be free from sin, abuse and self-affliction. Links: My personal experience with negative addiction My life in communities and skid row Other drug rehabilitation resources AA vs Christian Community AA Idolatry Beware of False Meditation The Epidemic Of Substance Abuse And Apostasy Thoughts on personal and community responsibility The Problem With So-called “Christian” Anti-addiction Programs Negative Addictions: Theological, Philosophical, Intellectual And Physical Replacing Sin And Addiction The Great Sin Of Gambling The Legalization Of Marijuana Distribution And Hedonism Problem My Personal Confession Page Alcohol And Substance Abstinence Is More Safe Than Moderation You Do Not Have To Be Dope Sick More... Visit the Christian Recovery Center

Free CD Or Copy To A Folder On Your Hard Drive
Give To A Friend, Pastor Or Church

Addiction Is A Matter Of Choice

Addiction with drugs and alcohol is a matter of choice to a Christian. I struggled with addiction myself. It was a subtle trap. It has to be addressed eventually regardless and the sooner, the better. I believe lack of moral environment is a cause of youth destruction and negative addiction. A child raised in a community with moral integrity and Bible-love promoting parents would have no need to want to look for anything that is not approved of God, such as drunkenness or dope dependence. It is when good child training is missing that problems occur.

Lack of Christian encouragement and wisdom is passively dangerous. When I was about fourteen I began experimenting with excessive amounts of the harmful chemicals that bring so much shame and grief. If I remember correctly, I started with cigarettes. It did not seem like a big problem at the time; actually it was acceptable among the deceived of society. Children could even buy them at the store.

Proverbs 25.26: “A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.” Eventually, I tampered with alcohol. The first time I drank I became drunk on wine and found myself waking up in a car, sick with vomit on the floor. I realized that I had made a mistake. I knew I had lost control of myself. I felt terrible physically and my memory was blurred. The regretted experience was shocking in its own way. Nevertheless, I continued to drink, vomit and bear the hangover during my school years. I was so deceived that I thought I could drink and have pleasure even if it made me sick and I did embarrassing things. It was disastrous.

I even hid whiskey and beer when I was in my teens so I wouldn't be out of stock. One time after getting drunk I had a bottle of Fighting Cock and left it outside in the cold of winter to drink later. When I went out to get it I found a broken bottle. It had frozen and cracked. I was so disappointed. Drinking was relatively expensive for a school student and I knew I would have to spend more money to get more.

There were times when I thought about quitting but I kept procrastinating. When a Christian wants to please God, he cannot let a sin continue in his life. God makes life beautiful with the recognition of his love. However, he chastises his children when they don't obey, very severely at times! When misery takes the place of happiness, it is because of disobedience. I knew the things I were doing were sinful, but the addiction seemed overpowering. However, I did not have an encouraging environment... and that's what it takes! A strong, church fellowship is all a Christian needs to help him get back on track.

Unfortunately, we live in the apostasy. Churches have been deteriorating for the last century. Many church members are caught up in their own sins other than drug addiction. The members don't have knowledge of the Scriptures and integrity; therefore, they lack the influential ability to aid someone looking for an example how to overcome a sin such as a substance abuse problem. Encouragement is hard to find sometimes. That is why so many erring Christians end up continuing in their deception and even fall into very harmful things to their own soul and others. Who can be more miserable than a self-condemned Christian!

1 John 1.9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If you are a Christian and you want to quit sinning, I have praise for you. God wants you to come to Him. He doesn't want you to live in self-condemnation. Make confession unto God.

Don't let a wicked society discourage you from putting away the sin. I would suggest (even though many times I did not do it myself) if you have to, let the wicked encourage you but don't pick up any other sins from them... find an AA or NA meeting. I only attended few meetings and never really considered myself a member. However, it is better to associate with someone who doesn't follow God totally but supports your quitting and welfare than someone who makes it easy for you to abuse a substance.

They even have members who are abstinent from alcohol and drug abuse for years. So, if they can do it without strict, Christian fellowship, you can more happily because God is with you already. I rather much more you find a church but if you are not satisfied with that, then find whatever fellowship you can get to not let the chemical abuse drag you further in deterioration and away from God's peace. Stop at even less fulfilling costs of putting away deceitful pleasure that only brings more destruction, shame and grief.

As I mentioned in another paper about leaving AA because it not the best choice for seeking spiritual encouragement, if necessary, give yourself at least a couple of years to recover at a Christian community from your last relapse. Teen Challenge is only one of many. You can find many rehabilitation centers on the Internet. You should not have to pay a lot of money for it either. I was in several communities and the one I paid the most was merely a part of my weekly earnings for room and board. It wasn't much more expensive than renting my own room and paying for my own meals. I have lived at some community establishments that were free!

We live in a wicked world and it is hard for anyone to not get messed up. A Christian's purpose is to be well, and make a goal to go on to perfection (Hebrews 6:1-3). This takes the judgment and will to separate from the antagonistic. A Christian with a substance abuse problem is not a powerless person in need of a higher power; Christians that want to correct their life already have the Lord most high as their supporter. Make a decision (choice) to serve God and be free from sin, abuse and self-affliction.

Links:

My personal experience with negative addiction

My life in communities and skid row

Other drug rehabilitation resources

AA vs Christian Community

AA Idolatry

Beware of False Meditation

The Epidemic Of Substance Abuse And Apostasy

Thoughts on personal and community responsibility

The Problem With So-called “Christian” Anti-addiction Programs

Negative Addictions: Theological, Philosophical, Intellectual And Physical

Replacing Sin And Addiction

The Great Sin Of Gambling

The Legalization Of Marijuana Distribution And Hedonism Problem

My Personal Confession Page

Alcohol And Substance Abstinence Is More Safe Than Moderation

You Do Not Have To Be Dope Sick

More...

Visit the Christian Recovery Center