By: Dr. James Bachman
Dear Parson,
I struggle with tobacco and alcohol. Any suggestions?
All substance abuse is tougher to quit than most humans can do on their own. God is your best helper (Psalm 46:1).
1. Pray for repentance and forgiveness. Then seek a godly, gentle friend who will teach you and help hold you accountable. “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (II Timothy 2:24-26) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)
2. Destroy all your present addictive substances, and stay away from people and places that cause temptation. “Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.” (Acts 19:19) “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:14) “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Ephesians 5:11) “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20) “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.” (Proverbs 4:14)
3. In times of temptation:
a. Fully trust promises from God like these: “There hath no temptation taken you
but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:13) “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (II Corinthians 12:9) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (I Thessalonians 5:24) “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” (II Thessalonians 3:3)
b. Read Proverbs 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Read also Proverbs 23:29-35.
c. Resist the devil: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
4. Replace bad addictive substances. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) Try drinking grape juice and ginger ale, or pass out gospel tracts.
5. Remember that the believer’s body belongs to God and is the temple of the Holy Ghost. “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (I Corinthians 6:19-10)
Send questions and comments to: jamesbachman@juno.com
