Today, you know how the abuse of drink so often goes hand in hand with drug abuse (prescription and nonprescription). And so many have sadly died during this last decade from such addiction.
Wasn’t always like that with both. Back in the day it seems like alcohol abusers were alcohol abusers and drug abusers were drug abusers but now so many have coalesced together into chemical-addicts (Nothing derogatory or offensive meant by any term used, but you know lots of other terms we're used. I'm not sure why it was that way).
Many users are using any or everything to gain comfort and escape the troubles, pains, and heartaches of life.
Remember watching Cops? I still watch and learn even though the show is no longer vogue. Most of the people that were stopped by Cops had no respect for delegated authority (namely, they hated and totally distrusted Cops). Most of those stopped by the Police had a problem with drinking or drugs (..or with say the stealing, buzzed violence, or illicit sex just to support their destructive habit).
Very sad to see. I've been pulled over too. Actually I was guilty and parked on the cliff overlooking the Dana Point harbor in the '70s. Had to go to some classes too.
Drinking or drug problems and trying to hide it all -- you always saw this on Cops. How very costly it can get! It was like that at the start of the show in '89 and all through the 30 year run until they discontinued Cops (Today, there's no police shows aired -- you know how liberal mayors, lame politicians, and city leaders want to defund police. That's another topic, don't get me started on that).
“First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.” ~ Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald
I personally don't look down on those who choose to drink. It's not for me to judge or try to give them my own personal convictions -- some really don't have a problem. God gave me personal convictions for me alone. I never liked the taste (some say they acquired a taste they need to un-acquire).
I've personally found that there is nothing good that these habits, pastime activities will give to people, but being filled with the Comforter (the Holy Spirit) that's a different story. This solace will give what's good and restorative.. along with the truth of the word.
Always felt like, I can always find (non-alcoholic) drinks that taste far better, and are healthy too. What's the need for other?
Something to consider, that I have mused on: Even though all those super-expensive booze commercials look cool and happy, you can never ever sin with drink.. or become a drunk or a drug addict.. if you never pick it up, buy it, drink it, or use. It's that first drag on that joint or other smoke. It's that first can or glass. I say, be a tea-toddler or with coffee perhaps. Far better for you.
You know habitual use of alcohol often results in addiction. Duh, it can get ahold of anyone! The drinker's inadequacies, faults, and problems become intensified, and often personality changes result.
Though feeling more confident, brave, acceptable and feeling less fearful of rejection and less awkward socially.. when under the influence of alcohol, he or she is often immature, insecure, and feeling guilty with depression.
People want comfort from the pains of life on this sin-cursed planet. They switch from one idol to another, seeking to fill up that empty void inside their hearts that only Jesus can fill and satisfy spiritually.
The alcoholic does not feel good about himself or herself. They somehow can't face the addiction and the subsequent problems it creates for them.. so he or she in an ongoing way often denies their problem. They are often dishonest in covering it up over and over again. Yes, they so often become very deceitful in blaming it all on family members, on buddies or so called friends (fair-weather-friends), on their parents, on coworkers, on work supervisors (managers, bosses etc), or even on the bad breaks of life. And who hasn’t experienced some bad breaks in this life?
Sadly, some people experience more or far more “bad breaks of life.” Even bad breaks they didn’t bring on themselves via personal bad decisions. Mean people act mean -- sinners sin cuz they are sinners. They’re not sinners per se because they sin (sure, they are a criminal once they’ve committed a crime according to police), but they were born in sin. We all were says God in the Bible.. which is completely true.
We all need forgiveness, regeneration, and a new nature from God inside (John 3:3) and sanctification.
Companies are not loyal to the workers today. Many politicians, social workers, physiologists and so called pastors aren’t either, but Christ is loyal. He’ll never ditch, bail out, leave you.. nor forsake you, believer.
This deviousness and denial of abuse leads to a masquerade in life that at times can assume almost a comic-level. I never look down on, or talk down to those struggling -- it’s actually very tragic, the overtones and all. Never want to, cuz Jesus never did. You have great value, your life matters.
Alcoholics desperately need help at the root of the problem. Alcoholics Anonymous maintains that until alcoholic hits rock bottom, admitting that their life is out of control, there is little hope of any change at all.
Admitting that there is a problem is the first step on the road to recovery. Isn’t it like that for all types of sin and addiction? Many people, even religious leaders say “I’m not a sinner or bad person.” I do good works, am a good person and can make it on my own. Some foolishly blame their bad behavior on their circumstances or environment.
Listen, there is hope for the alcoholic in the word of God. Christ loves you. God loves us all so much, he has a good plan and is able to completely deliver people from this as well as any other addiction. (Personally, I love to hangout with, talk with, and hear my friends at AA (they call me a "Normie" though I too used to drink like a goldfish). My parents and grandparents have been apart and serving at AA since the founders started it in California. I FEEL A TON OF RESPECT FOR ALL OF THEM. They knew many of those key people at the start and I got to hear and benefit. Yes, over the decades, I've been blessed to hear so many wise principles and prayers from the heart.
Hey, come to.. or come back to Christ today. Nothing is more imperative than that (no life decision is)! Some have said a prayer in a church etc.. and after a time relapsed or backslide away. God understands -- he still loves you and has a good plan. Ain't done with ya!
Hey, need a new beginning? Important: Please humbly choose Jesus Christ as your “Higher Power” to walk with, and stay free cuz he is the Son of God -- the Highest Power of all. The God of the Bible is the only one -- the only real God. If the Son sets you free, you're free indeed.)
I say and know I'm right on this.. You were created to know God in a personal way—to have a meaningful relationship with the one God of the Bible, through His Son, Jesus Christ.
"The Bible teaches that there is deliverance from the things that come upon the world.. not by chemicals, but by Christ, bringing the mind and heart into harmony with God through submission to His will (that totally agrees with His written word) and accepting His forgiveness. ..In Christ alone there is deliverance from man's tortured thoughts and freedom from the sordid habits which are destroying so many people. Why does the Bible so clearly denounce drunkenness? Because it is an enemy of human life. Anything that is against a person’s welfare, God is against.” ~ Billy Graham
Here are some powerful Scriptures for ya:
"He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13), You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3).
"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (john 8-36) "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:8-9).
Also see:
Matthew 11:28
John 3:16
Romans 12:1-2
Romans 14:11-12
2 Corinthians 2:14
Galatians 5:22-23
Terms from back in the day that were used for drug abusers:
Addict, a burnout, dopehead, doper, druggie, a fiend, hophead, a junkie, stoner, user, zombie.
A person who sold drugs illegally:
Cooker, dealer, dope peddler, dummy man, hookup, mad hatter, middleman, mule, pill lady, potrepreneur, pump, a pusher, a meth, H, or crack source (they keep finding you to sell more and keep you hooked. It's almost like the devil or demons guide em to their clients).
Old terms for addiction:
Bag, bent, dependence, hang-up, hook(ed), jones(ing), kick, monkey on your back, strung out, substance use disorder.
Old terms for withdrawal:
Around the turn (after a period of withdrawal), cold turkey (completely at once stopping the drug use), clucking, detox, DT’s, jonesing, shakes, super-flu.
A drink-abuser:
Alcoholic, boozer, dipsomaniac, drinker, drunk, drunkard, drunken, heavy drinker, inebriate, problem drinker, tippler, spirituous.
Under the influence:
Addled, badgered, bashed, besotted, bibulous, blasted, blind, blitzed, blotto, bombed, boozy, canned, cockeyed, crocked, drunken, fried, gassed, hammered, high, impaired, inebriate, intoxicated, juiced, lit, lit up, loaded, looped, oiled, pickled, pie-eyed, pished, pissed, plastered, potted, ripped, sloshed, smashed, sottish, soused, sozzled, squiffy, stewed, stiff, stinking, stoned, tanked, tiddly, tight, tipsy, wasted, wet, wiped out, zonked.
"He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).
"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3).
"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13 niv).
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, niv).
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:8-9).
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1 nkjv).
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, for they will drink and forget what is decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted” (Proverbs 31:4-5 nkjv).
“Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink, who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them! Their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute, and by wine; but they do not pay attention to the deeds of the LORD, nor do they consider the work of His hands” (Isaiah 5:11 nkjv).
“Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and valiant men in mixing strong drink, who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!” (Isaiah 55:2 nkjv).
Of John the Baptizer, a great man, the Holy Spirit says...
“He will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb” (Luke 1:15 nkjv).
“Guide your heart in the way. Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty” (Prov. 23:20-21 nkjv).
“For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3 nkjv).
“Those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:7-9 nkjv).
Want to firsthand know God's positive alternative for the world's version, the world's short lived chemical and other types of comfort:
“Understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:17-18 nkjv).
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are..idolatry..drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21 nkjv. When you get the time, please prayerfully re-read these verses in their own context).
“Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:13-14 nkjv).
“I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person” (1 Corinthians 5:11 nkjv).
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2 nkjv).
“For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:11-12 nkjv).
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14 nkjv). Fish4souls.org .. Facebook.com/shareJesus
Here's More Scriptures To Prayerfully Meditate Upon:
Gen. 9:21
Luke 12:45
1 Cor. 16:21
Eph. 5:18
Isa. 28:7 nlt
1 Thess. 5:7
Matt. 24:49
Rom. 13:13
Isa. 51:21
Ps. 107:27
Nah. 1:10
Prov. 20:1
Prov. 21:17
Prov. 21:31
1 Cor. 6:10
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin until they are drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness! You will be filled with shame instead of glory.” (Habakkuk 2:14-16)
The Bible says "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." So true, I regularly did.
I used to drink like a goldfish mainly at highschool beach parties in the Dana Point area of California. That's where I grew up surfing, drinking and while drinking a lot my surfer peers turned me on to some weed. And I started with that. I wanted some comfort, an escape -- life sober seemed tough. I tried to clean my life up on my own and couldn't do it. I guess I was hooked.
Things were getting worse. Sure, police were stopping me on the road. I didn't like that I had become and was becoming. Being raised in a traditional dead religious church wasn't helping me at all. God's not religious, never has been.
A few surfer friends witnessed to me on the beach.. told me of Christ's love, power to save and ability to deliver people in bondage like me. I got invited to a Bible study up in the Newport Beach area and there chose to repent and believe in Jesus. I gave my life over to him and this Fisherman so to speak, caught me, accepted me, loved me, and he cleaned this fish up if ya will. He still is sanctifying me. Got a lot to learn, but am happier and healthier. Washed clean by him, not by me. Best decision of my life! Finding a healthy local Christian church was great too, cuz I found friends I could relate to and have fellowship with.
We can't help but become like those we spend a lot of time with. Bad company corrupts good morals, but godly friends encourage a lot.. to in obedience to the word of God.
It's like the devil and his buds will bait one more serious trap with a pleasurable yet destructive habit that you or I already enjoy.
But God is so perfect and holy, and our sins literally separate us from connection with Him ...even forever if we let that happen. The Bible says "The wages of sin is death."
But the Good News of real love (the Gospel) for you is from about 2,000 years ago. Remember how Jesus didn't feel like it, but went up on a lonely Cross at Calvary for you, for me. He let sinners kill him there in our place and then on the third day rose again from the dead. And now we each can respond to the Gospel and be born again. Forgiven, no charge.
