Conquering Substance Abuse
A guest article by Chad Ramsey.
Hello everyone - Jameson here. Having just returned from Mini-Camp with my kids, and soon to spend a week at Maywood, I’m a bit busy over the next few weeks.
This means most of the articles this week and next week will be by guest writers. Hopefully, that’s alright with you!
Alright - now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
One of the great problems plaguing both our society in general and families in particular is the problem of addiction to alcohol and drugs. Mind-altering substances—both legal and illegal—produce powerful feelings within the human body users come to crave.
Consequently, individuals can get to the point in which they feel dependent upon the substance to live. Once such dependence is established, it is difficult to sever. To the one ensnared in this condition, obtaining the high (or perhaps the numbness) associated with the use of the substance takes precedent over all else.
But even if the behavior is kept private, the user suffers both physically and spiritually. Those caught in this type of behavior can well relate with the words of the apostle Paul: “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:15).
Although these individuals may realize—at least when thinking soberly—they need help, it is entirely possible they do not know where to turn. Consequently, members of Christian families must be ready to intervene.
Obviously, such must be done in an appropriate manner. This requires both awareness and humility.
Noting this, Paul wrote: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
Problems will not always be immediately obvious. If, however, a problem exists, changes in behavior will occur, relationships will suffer and lives will need to be repaired.
It must be remembered that the road to substance abuse may begin innocently enough (e.g. by using prescription pain-killers). For this reason, we must be extremely careful about what we put into our bodies (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
This does not mean we should avoid taking medicine altogether (cf. 1 Timothy 5:23). Medicine, when used properly, can be very beneficial. Nevertheless, we must not use things which have a legitimate purpose in an illegitimate way.
Christian families must fight addiction and in so doing should echo the attitude of the apostle Paul. He wrote: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
An Ancient Warning (Proverbs 31:4-7)
It should not surprise us that Scripture has much to say about the use of alcohol.
General warnings include:
A description of the harm resulting from the use of alcohol for pleasure (cf. Proverbs 20:1).
A description of how alcohol should be completely avoided (cf. Proverbs 23:29-35).
Prohibitions of both drunkenness and participation in drinking parties (cf. Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3).
These statements do not even begin to consider the damage the use of alcohol can do to one’s relationships, financial standing or spiritual status!
In Proverbs 31:4-7, the subject of alcohol use is broached from a unique perspective. According to the text, the passage recites the advice King Lemuel received from his mother (verse 1).
He was told specifically: “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to drink intoxicating drink” (verse 4). The reason cited for this strong prohibition is significant.
Those who drink may well forget about the law and refrain from seeing justice served (verse 5). This was the duty of the king, and to fail to perform the actions associated with his position would in fact be detrimental. Such, however, is the result of imbibing a mind-altering substance. Thus, alcohol must be avoided.
The text does describe how alcohol could be used appropriately (verses 6-7). This legitimate use is as a type of medication to ease the pain of suffering.
Lest individuals argue the passage has no bearing upon us today since we are not serving as king, it should be noted that the text does not merely prohibit alcohol from the courts of kings but also—at least in principle—shows that alcohol use can hinder individuals from fulfilling their duties.
It should also be remembered that Christians are to “live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:12). Anything that hinders us from this effort, including mind-altering substances, must be avoided. To argue otherwise is to attempt to circumvent the plain teaching of Scripture.
An Urgent Appeal (Galatians 5:16-21, 24)
Rather than living in a way that satisfies the desires of the flesh, Christians must follow the admonition of Jesus and learn to deny selfish lusts (cf. Matthew 16:24).
The apostle Paul contrasted these two approaches in his letter to the Galatians. He wrote: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (verse 16).
The two approaches obviously stand in contrast to one another (verse 17). Those living for the flesh engage in the sins listed in Galatians 5:19-21. These sins, which are known collectively as “the works of the flesh,” should obviously be avoided by individuals seeking to honor God.
It should not escape our attention that drunkenness is cited as something those who walk in the Spirit should avoid (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
To motivate individuals to avoid fleshly behavior, Paul described how Christians are expected to act. He continued: “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (verse 24).
Perhaps one reason some become enslaved to mind-altering substances is because they have failed to heed Paul’s advice. Rather than crucifying the flesh, they continue to gratify it. This, of course, should not be the case.
When one obeys the gospel, he or she is supposed to die to the world. Describing this process in his own life, Paul wrote: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Importantly, Paul did not just stop living for the world. He replaced his former behavior with dedication to Christ.
As we seek to break destructive habits either in our own life or the lives of others, we must follow this pattern. We must be willing to give up the world to gain Christ. This includes the pleasures of sin.
Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.
Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.
