TOPIC: DEALING WITH ADDICTIONS
OPENING PRAYERS:
Father, deliver those who are under one form of addiction or the other.
Save me from addiction.
BIBLE PASSAGE
PROV.31:2-7
2: What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3: Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4: It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6: Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7: Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
MEMORY VERSE
"Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD" Isaiah 52:11
LESSON INTRODUCTION Addiction is a compulsive tendency developed over a period of continuous and repeated actions or exposures to a certain substance. It can result in loss of willpower and self-esteem, loss of or shift in focus, social and emotional disconnect, poverty, death, etc.
TEXT REVIEW: PRO. 31:2-7
WARNING FOR THE KINGS AND PRINCES
The Bible passage literarily was directed at a king Lemuel by her mother. Pro 31:1. However the advice should go beyond the few people who are found in palaces of earthly structures; it should be embraced by all other persons who were referred to as Kings and Priest in Rev. 5:10 "and hast made us unto our God Kings and priest".
What are the advice and why?
i. Do not dissipate your virility on women ( promiscuous women) because they will shipwreck such ruler/kings. Pro.31:3
ii. Do not drink strong drinks (mixed wine and alcohol which is capable of making a person lose sense or sleep away) because such king will pervert justice and judge wrongly under influence. Pro. 31:4-5
iii. Strong drink will lead a person to peril(ready to perish). Pro. 31:6
iv. Strong drinks makes person feel high. Feeling of being on top of situations when in actual fact the situations are pressing heavily upon the fellow. When he/she is out of the influence, he/her sorrow will return. It is therefore a temporary relief/sedative and not a curative. Pro.31:7
The scripture warns believers to run from mixed wine (mixed substance) that is deceptive in appearance but hurts like poison of serpent. Pro. 23:30-32. All kings/princess in the kingdom should heed the warning. All Levities and teachers of the word of God should NOT drink wine or strong drink and minister under such influence. The consequences of such recklessness is DEATH. Teachers/Priests/Pastors/Ministers/ must be holy and avoid unholy things. Lev.10:8-11
TYPES OF ADDICTIONS
QUESTION
What are the effects of the following substances/addictions on the consumers? Cocaine, opioids-heroine, amplictamines, benzoic, diazepam’s, alchohol, cigarette, tobacco, marijuana, nicotine, caffeine-coffee, coke and cola.
ANSWER
They could harm and defile or destroy the body and soul of the consumer. Icor3:17.
Students should give other effects of substance addictions.
QUESTION
What is behavioral or process addictions?
ANSWERS
It is addiction to mood-altering behaviour such as gambling, sexual activity[masturbation, sex, pornography, eating disorders, spending ,shopping, watching television. Etc
QUESTION
What do the following scriptures say on behavioral addiction?
1Kings:11:4-5 Pro.31:3; 1Pet4:3.
Teacher should give the scriptures to students and allow them to respond.
QUESTION
what do you understand by position addiction?
ANSWERS
It is addiction that is associated with power, influence or affluence. The addiction enjoys his power, influence or affluence at the expense of others.
QUESTION
Do we have some examples of power addicts in the Bible?
ANSWER
Yes. We have King Saul, 1Samuel19:1;8-10; and King Hezekiah- Isaiah39:1-8
CLASS ACTIVITY 1
Give any two example each of substance addicts, behavioural addict and position or power addict from the Bible.
OVERCOMING ADDICTIONS
i. Teachers should allow students to mention ways of overcoming addiction. This could be based on their knowledge or experience.
ii. Teacher should explain the following guidelines to overcome addiction:
a. Take a stand. You must first of all acknowledge that addiction is an affliction and you are already caught up in its web. Then, you must be willing to break free from it bondage while acknowledging that you cannot help yourself. Ps51:1-4
b. Seek help. Jas.5:13-16. You must open up to God. Prov.3:4-5; 1Pet5:7 and to people who can be of help in breaking the evil habit. Surrender yourself for proper screening and therapies pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and spiritual therapy.
c. Avoid relapse. Relapse is to addiction what backsliding is to sin and its episode is usually worse than before the treatment/deliverance. Matthew 12:43-45; 2Pet2:20-22
d. Keep your heart with all diligence. prov 4:23 and renew it daily. Rom12:1-2; Eph 4:22-23. Addiction is really a battle of the mind
e. You must avoid exposures to all forms of triggers 1Cor.15:33; 2Cor.6:15-20; Eph 5:11-12
f. Keep the company of those who can encourage you in your journey to total victory. Heb10:24-25
CLASS ACTIVITY 2
What warning did Jesus give concerning rebound or relapse in Matt 12:43-45?
SUMMARY
Flee all manners of addiction
CONCLUSION
Withdrawal from addiction often comes with a myriad of challenges usually referred to as withdrawal syndrome. It is incumbent on the brethren not to cast away, [Ps38:11] the victim at this critical time but to show him/her love and encouragement until the victory is won. 2Tim.1:15-16; Ps133:1-3
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, let your love spring into the hearts of those who are caught in the web of addictions and set them free.