Page 112 - Biblical Counseling II

Addiction
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew
26:41

Connect…

Read the following story of addiction: “It was so different from the early days of my drinking. I think I was a
pretty ordinary sort of kid, not a lot of confidence, but reasonably bright and friendly. Then I found alcohol.
With alcohol, I had boundless confidence. I became loud, jovial, and found everything and everyone great
fun. I was what some people describe as a plateau drinker. I didn’t need to wipe myself out each time I drank.
I just needed enough to get on a high, and then I’d coast along on that till I went to bed. For several years,
there were few problems apart from hangovers. The first problem that emerged was that I became
dependent on alcohol to get me to sleep at night. If I didn’t have a drink last thing at night, it was difficult to
sleep. I would toss and turn and feel terribly uncomfortable. A little nightcap always worked its magic”
(“Personal Stories,” p. 1, 2020).

The next problem to occur was the shakes. [Trembling occurs when the brain gets accustomed to lower
levels of stimulation due to frequent alcohol consumption, and when discontinued, it gets flooded with
hyperactivity, resulting in shakes (Monico & Stein, 2020).] This started as just a slight tremor in the mornings.
But then someone noticed it. I was terribly embarrassed and, from then on, tried hard to stop my hands
shaking. The trouble is, the harder you try to stop them shaking, the worse they shake. If I had to sign
something in front of people, my hands would go completely out of control, and I couldn’t even hold the pen.
By age 26, this had become a serious impediment to normal life. It was really freaky. At a semi-conscious
level, I knew alcohol was responsible for my problems, but that was an idea that I kept the lid on very firmly”
(“Personal Stories,” p. 1, 2020).

The Lesson ...

Addiction
Addiction is another topic that we could spend an entire course on. This is another topic that is fascinating to
learn about: the biology and psychology behind addiction. We could also have a nature/nurture discussion
and debate on addiction. However, this study section will instead focus on two articles that will help us
understand addiction while also giving us guiding support from the Bible.

Understanding Addiction – Principles by Dr. Ted Witzig Jr

SCRIPTURAL DIRECTIONS AND PRINCIPLES
The topic of addiction is an unfortunate and increasing issue in families and with those we love. It is essential
to develop a clear understanding of all aspects of addiction, including the foundations of addiction as well as
various treatments. To begin, it is important to consider a few guiding Scriptures that balance the call laid out
in the Bible to both accountability and compassion for individuals with addictions.

Scriptures of Accountability
He went on, “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s
heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.” Mark 7:20-23 (NIV)
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