Alcoholism

What you permit is what you become. When you permit yourself to indulge in any amount of alcohol you will eventually become hooked on it.

There is a popular saying. The man took the drink, the drink took the drink, and then the drink took the man. Drinking casually leads to a lifestyle of drinking.

There are certain things we do not allow in our house. Ice Cream is one of those things. If it comes in our house refrigerator, then we will most likely eat it. Eating eat causes habits to be established. So it is with wine or beer. Bringing it into our house is something we don't do. We don't go down the isle of it at the grocery store and we don't look at it when they try and set it on our table at the restaurant. You may say, "Why?" First off the Bible is clear about some things regarding strong drink. Don't even look into the red of the wine. Woe to the man who puts strong drink to another man's lips.

But you may say, "I just drink a little for my stomach's sake." Have you heard of those small round pills called TUMS or Rolaids? They will do the job.

When you bring any alcohol into your life you support an industry that promotes loss.

Proverbs 23:29-32 says some pretty pointed things regarding Alcoholism.

"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;" Ephesians 5:18

There is hope however, "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from
their destructions." Psalms 107:20

Addictions

You will only overcome what you learn to detest.

In a recent church service I had all those who had been praying for a friend, family member or loved one who was addicted to something to stand. Nearly the entire congregation stood to their feet. What was even more shocking was this was a very distinguished congregation.

I have used several times the analogy that mold only grows in the dark. You can only quit what you are willing to admit. Addictions can only be broken when we depend upon God's help. "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." Psalms 107:20

The greatest thing a person can do when seeking to be delivered from any addiction is to pour the word of God into their eyes, ears and their heart. Only when we are truly desperate for change will we see change.

Sometimes fasting is required and seeking God's face for an extended period of time will be a helpful solution. "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?" Isaiah 58:6 The addiction in your life right now is a yoke. It is a bondage that yokes up to your neck.

During a time of addiction it may seem like God is so far away. Remember Bet Midler's secular song, "from a distance, God is watching us?" It is a great tune but from a Bible perspective, it is scripturally incorrect. God is watching us but it is NOT from a distance. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear." Isaiah 59:1

Having the truth in your life does not necessarily set a person free. But rather, "knowing the truth" will set you free and keep you free. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." John 8:32. Did you notice that? Knowledge of the truth gets you free.

Your body is a house. A house for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit used to live in a box called the Arc of the Covenant. Now that we are under a different dispensation of time, we now see that the Holy Spirit will not live in a house made with man's hands but rather, the Holy Spirit will live in this human temple. Your Body is the temple. The temple of the Holy Spirit.

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have from God, and ye are not your own?" I Corinthians 6:19

Today whatever addictive behavior you have in your life not only hurts you but hurts those around you. Learn to detest the addiction in your life and watch how you overcome.

Substance Abuse

Among the foremost problems of our time are substance abuse problems surrounding the use of drugs and alcohol.
A 1986 survey shows that 70 million Americans have at some time engaged in the illicit use of a drug. Thirty-seven million said they had used illegal drugs in the previous year, and 23 million in the month prior to the survey. Sixty-five percent of 18-25 year olds have experience with illicit drugs. The survey also established a correlation between drug and alcohol use. Eighteen percent of our population will exhibit dependency problems with alcohol or other drugs during their lifetime. Traffic and safety authorities estimate that alcohol is involved in 50 percent of all fatal automobile accidents in the United States.
The trend to use cocaine, heroin, marijuana, PCP, alcohol, prescription drugs and other mind altering drugs as entertainment or as an escape mechanism not only speaks of the pressures under which we live, but also indicates something of the moral and spiritual conditions of our time. Equally serious is the idea that so-called “mind expanding drugs,” such as PCP and marijuana, should be legalized for medicinal use. Above all, those engaged in the production and distribution of alchoholic beverages continues their massive and largely successful promotional efforts to make Americans a drinking people.
Word for the World Family Church believes the evidence is clear that the use of drugs has become a leading factor in the soaring crime rate, and that such use increasingly results in the loss of lives and the destruction of property. The total costs to our society are astronomical ($160 billion annually) Forty percent of hospital admissions involve drug or alcohol related diseases.
We deplore the evidence that at high levels and from many quarters immense pressure is exerted to encourage more people to drink, and at an earlier age. Sixty-six percent of high school seniors consume alcoholic beverages. By age 13, thirty percent of boys drink on a regular basis. Thirty percent of ten-year olds experience pressure to drink alcohol.
We hereby record our firm condemnation of efforts aimed at abrogating the laws restricting the possession and use of narcotics, hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates and alcohol. We commend those who continue to consider it their duty to prosecute violators of existing laws, whether it is in regard to sale, possession or use of such drugs.
Specifically, we encourage the framing and passage of new laws that will make it easier to enforcement agencies to apprehend and convict drinking drivers who are the primary cause of highway fatalities. It is our understanding that among such desirable laws are the “implied consent” laws, which facilitate the detection and identification of drinking and drunken drivers through various tests conducted by arresting officers.
We also urge our church, other churches, including our own, to take seriously the problem of the use of alcohol and other drugs, educating their members to the dangers of such use and encouraging them to make abstinence a part of their personal Christian testimony. As evangelicals we affirm that even such extreme problems as those represented here are subject to the power of the Holy Spirit, and the solution through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gambling

The following statement is the official statement adopted in 2004 by the executive board of directors for Word for the World Church.

Gambling is a parasite feeding on both the individual and society. Unhealthy behavior patterns are developed by the person who gambles. The "thrill" element in gambling produces as unrealistic view of life and a distorted concept of personal responsibilities. Gambling has a destructive effect upon the moral fabric of society because of it's "something for nothing: philosophy.

The ruse of promoting gambling and lotteries for the purpose of subsidizing education is an attempt to gain respectability and acceptance as an honorable and productive business. However, this has by actual experience proven costly to the public. The contribution to the purported cause has been minimal in proportion to the cost of promotion and administration of the enterprise. In addition, the fringe dangers of graft, subterfuge, and infiltration by the criminal element, make such a program suspect.

Word for the World endorsed the principle that public programs and projects should be publicly supported and opposes legalized lotteries. We oppose the weakening of laws to permit state-sponsored gambling.

Word for the World encourages a program of education regarding the evils of gambling by both the church and other community agencies. We also encourage our law enforcement agencies on local, state and national levels in the carrying out of their responsibilities regarding the control of gambling.

This is powerful and could not be said any better. Also you may wish to look at the following link: The Morality of Gambling

Gambling Defined

Gambling is defined as taking an artificial, unnatural, unnecessary risk in hopes of excessive gain far above what an investment would pay. Gambling is taking a risk purely for the purpose of taking a risk, which will give gain at someone else’s expense.

Many seek to justify gambling by calling almost everything gambling. I have heard people say, "There is nothing wrong with gambling. After all, gambling is just taking a chance - all of life is a gamble."

There is a difference between taking an unnecessary risk (gambling) and operating with skill in the unknown. For example: the farmer is not gambling when he plants a crop. The wise investor is not gambling when he invests in the stock market. The driver is not gambling when he drives down the highway. Buying insurance is not gambling, as there is no opportunity of excessive gain. The insurance company is not gambling, but engaging in a business risk, as the farmer engages in a business risk when he plants his crop.

Casting Lots

The Bible mentions "casting lots", but this is not gambling. The casting of lots was used in certain instances to determine the will of God.

In Leviticus 16:8-10, Aaron cast lots to determine which of the two goats would be used for the sin offering, and which would become the scapegoat.

Joshua 18:1-6 records that lots were cast to determine the distribution of land between the twelve tribes of Israel.

In Jonah 1:7, the sailors cast lots to determine the course of action concerning Jonah.

The casting of lots in Acts 1:21-26 to replace Judas with Matthias was simply the casting of votes, not throwing dice

The casting of lots is not gambling because there is nothing wagered, therefore nothing is lost.

The Right/Wrong of Gambling

Gambling, now called by the politically correct term "gaming", to make it more palatable to our consciences, has overtaken our nation. Almost everybody wants something for nothing, and it is believed gambling is the way to get something for nothing. Almost everybody buys lottery tickets, in the hope of getting something at the expense of someone else.

Headlines often tell of a person winning a large sum of money in the lottery. What the headline should tell is that millions failed to win. Some have gambled and won, that is true. But has winning helped spiritually? Have families been strengthened? Has the moral fiber of our nation increased as a result of gambling?

The real issue of gambling is not about winning, or casinos making a lot of money; or people losing a lot of money; or jobs; or the supposed lowering of taxes. The issue is righteousness and trust.

The issue is righteousness because:

Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

Acts 10:35, "But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."

The issue is trust because that nation, that people who fail to trust God cannot be a Christian nation, or a Christian people.

The Bible and Gambling - Contentment

I Timothy 6:6-11 - But godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. {8} And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. {9} But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. {10} For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. {11} But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Proverbs 15:16 - Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.

Proverbs 15:27 - He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

These verses speak of the grief caused by greed, by putting too much thought into this world, which will soon pass away, and too little thought into the world to come, which shall never pass away.

As God’s children, we lose contentment when we seek what this world provides instead of trusting God. We are not going to take houses, land, and bank accounts to heaven. In the parable of the sower, Matthew 13:22, Jesus explains, "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." Here is a child of God who becomes entangled with the riches of this life and loses eternal wealth.

God’s people are supposed to trust God (not winning the lottery) for their daily provision. Matthew 6:31-33 states, "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 34 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 35 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

It is likely every person reading this article has dreamed of being rich, of having all the money they will ever need or want. It is not wrong to be rich, but it is wrong to trust your riches or your station in life. Some of God’s most faithful servants were rich, but they did not trust their wealth. They trusted God – everyday and every way.

God’s children are rich – even though they may not have a large bank account. We have the promise of God that he will provide what we need, when we need it. All we have to do is believe. When we believe Matthew 6:31-33, we will seek, ask and knock. Then, and only then, will we receive from God those things necessary for everyday living.

The Bible and Gambling – Working

Genesis 3:17-19 reveals a part of the curse upon man involves earning a living by the sweat of the brow. When people gamble, they are refusing to submit to the curse by attempting to gain money they have not worked for. This is a sin in the sight of God. II Thessalonians 3:10 commands, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."

The Bible and Gambling – Selfishness

Matthew 22:34-40 records the answer of Christ to the question, "…which is the greatest commandment in the law?" Christ replied, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment." But Christ did not stop there. He continued with an explanation of the second greatest commandment, which is to love thy neighbor as thyself.

Gambling not only breaks the first commandment, gambling breaks the second commandment as well.

The gambler desires to gain, without working, that which another must lose. The gambler is not thinking of the welfare of the other person, but only his own selfish interest. I Corinthians 13:5 states true love, "…seeketh not her own…" The gambler is showing no love for the other person as Christ declared in the second greatest commandment.

The Bible and Gambling – Secular

Not only is God against gambling, but also the secular magazine, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, dated March 14, 1994, carried the cover story, "How Casinos Empty Your Wallet". The magazine covered the subject from a "human viewpoint" and reports on the economic disasters that have been documented in communities that have legalized casinos. The article states that the casinos at first contribute money to the budgets of the towns but in time all other businesses in town (restaurants, clothing stores, grocery stores, drug stores, etc.) suffer loss of sales and lay off employees.

The article referred to the owner of a pawnshop in Tunica County, Mississippi (in the Memphis area), who stated, "gamblers frequently go bust and trade rings and jackets for gas money home".

A Police Chief declared, "The number of people failing to pay their rent and bills had doubled".

A county justice clerk stated, "Arrests for drunken driving has increased 500%".

The report concluded by stating the dollars that come into the community level off and the cost of police, fire protection, government, etc., increase.

Conclusion

The gambler is saying, What God has provided for me is not enough. I need more than God can provide. It is like saying being poor is bad and being rich is good. God does not need our gambling windfall for the furtherance of his kingdom. Everything is his.

Many churches are accepting offerings that come from gambling. Independence Baptist Church will not knowingly accept any funds that comes from gambling or "gaming".

Alcohol and Tobacco

The following statement, is the official 2004 statement, adopted by the executive board of directors for Word for the World Church in Portland, Oregon.

This historic position of Word for the World Family Church concerning the use of alcohol and tobacco has been one of abstinence. We hereby publicly reaffirm that position with regard to all Christian believers in the United States of America.

Reasons:

The National Studies on drug abuse conclude that alcohol and tobacco are the two greatest drug abuse problems in the United States.

The potential social and health hazards of each are commonly accepted among the American public. Both are generally perceived as associated with a permissive life-style not becoming for a Christian. According to the first book of Thessalonians, a Godly appearance is to be a great consideration in the life of every believer. Our Godly example must be sensitively set by us, as believers according to Romans chapter 14.

There are strong scriptural injunctions against the use of alcoholic beverage and marijuana (Proverbs 22:31-32; 20:1; 31:4-5). These passages weigh heavily against biblical teachings on moderation according to Philippians chapter 4, verse 5, or alcohol for medicinal use (I Timothy 5:23, which also implies that Timothy had conscientiously chosen the position of abstinence). Also to be considered are the options available to us as compared to our biblical counterparts.

II Corinthians 7:1 is certainly applicable to tobacco or marijuana.

Habits or practices that have the potential to dominate and control are best to be avoided (II Corinthians 6:12).

Habits or practices that have the potential to dominate and control are best to be avoided (II Corinthians 6:12).

The biblical instructions to "do all to the glory of God" (I Cor 10:31) speaks loudly to us in light of the serious problems we are having with alcohol, substance abuse including tobacco in America.

We believe our Christian testimony is best served by a position of abstinence regarding the use of alcohol and tobacco and all other forms of substance abuse.

As far as I know, there is no other person who has returned their medical marijuana card to the state of Oregon on their own volition. A man came to our service for prayer. He had a chronic back pain that would torment him. After prayer, he was so surprised to see that the pain was not only gone, but that it would not come back. Hallelujah. Later that month, he made an appointment to come see me at my office in Portland. I had never heard a question posed to me like that which I was about to hear. "Pastor, what do I do with my medical marijuana card, now that I'm healed?" I froze, not ready for the question and frankly, not having a clear answer that would suffice the State of Oregon. I told him I would call around and find out. We did and here is what we did. We explained the healing from the Lord Jesus, mailed the card back to the state of Oregon and sent it certified mail.

It is very possible to claim not only your healing but also your dependence from any chemical. Praise God. A great alcohol treatment program that we as a church refer people to is found at this link www.yourliferecovery.com.