Addiction
Habakkuk 2:15 says, “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!”
Habakkuk was dealing with issues regarding drunkenness due to the strong influence of other nations. God’s word warns us that “wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging” (Prov 20:1). Most people today believe that it is alright to consume alcoholic beverages as long as it is done in moderation. However, it is a known fact that drunkards have always started out with a small amount of alcohol until they became addicted to it (1 Cor 5:6).
The problem with addiction is more than just physical, but more on the mind; “for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Prov 23:7). The root cause is internal, which manifests into an external problem; “for from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts” (Mk 7:21). A drunkard can be changed if he is willing to change how he thinks and feels. The most important step is to put his faith and trust in Jesus alone as his Savior and Lord (Rom 10:9). There will be genuine repentance (Acts 20:21), and a transformation by renewing of the mind (Rom 12:2). The process of change begins (2 Cor 5:17); how we think and feel what God does to us when we grow in grace (2 Pet 3:18)! If we feed our flesh (1 Jn 2:16), then it becomes stronger.
That’s why we ought to “walk in the Spirit” (Gal 5:16), so that we don’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. We need to spend more time studying God’s word (2 Tim 2:15), praying (1 Thes 5:17), and fellowshipping with other believers (Heb 10:25). A person who does not drink alcohol at all will obviously never get drunk. Alcohol has the ability to deceive and corrupt the mind (Isa 5:22). Drunkards know that the spirit of alcohol will eventually control them (Eph 5:18). If we are going to get victory over any addictions that control us, we must first get control over our thinking! God bless you!
-Pastor Melito Barrera
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