The Titus 2 Woman - Lesson 4 - Addictions
Posted Thu, 06/10/2010 - 12:00am by Kristie Kerr
The Titus 2 Woman
Lesson 3
Overcoming Addictions
Teach the older women to live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the Lord. They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to live wisely, to be pure, to take care of their homes, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
Titus 2:3-5
- Must not be heavy drinkers
- They should not have any addictions
- Not enslaved to too much wine
Addiction –
- To devote or surrender oneself to something habitually or obsessively.
- The condition of being compulsively occupied with or involved in something.
- Compulsive physiological or psychological need for a habit forming substance.
The essence of every addiction is idolatry.
Do not make idols of any kind…You must never bow down or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other.
Exodus 20:4, 5
- Idol – an object of adoration; something greatly and often fanatically admired or loved.
- Worship – To treat somebody or something as divine and show respect by engaging in acts of prayer and devotion
- Bow – yielding to something or somebody; to accept something and yield to it
We seek to find relief from our loneliness, fears and problems by looking to something or someone to make us feel better instead of looking to God.
Example: Food
God is compassionate; we worship him by going to him for comfort, but when we chose to find our comfort in food, we are worshiping a false god.
Isaiah 41:17 – 21
We can be addicted to a chemical substance, or the chemicals in our brain that numb our feelings.
When we feel good, our brain produces Serotonin.
Angry/Afraid: Adrenaline
Anxious/Anticipation: Epinephrine
ALL chemicals offer only a temporary relief, and so your behavior must be repeated again and again in order to feel good.
Chemical Addictions:
Alcoholism:
- By far the most common addiction – 14 million in US
- Often confused with recurring depression and high anxiety levels
Characterized by:
- Loss of control once drinking is started
- Withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild tremors to hallucinations
- Noticeable life effects
Consequences:
- Breakdown of moral inhibitions
- Health issues – liver, pancreas, brain and heart
- Indiscreet or violent behavior
Annual US financial loss from alcohol related expenses (loss of work/illness/accidents) =
$100 billion
Drugs:
- Vast majority of drug users not stereotypical “junkie”
- Illegal or prescription drugs
Most common drugs:
-
- Acid/LSD
- Club Drugs
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy/MDMA
- Heroin
- Inhalants
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- PCP/Phencyclidine
- Prescription Medications
- Smoking/Nicotine
- Steroids (Anabolic)
Consequences:
- Irreversible physical damage
- All consuming control of one’s life
- Destroys personal relationships
Behavior Addictions:
Food Addictions:
- Motivated by a desire to control
Characterized by:
- Distorted body image
- Obsession with food
- Cycle of low self-worth
Bulimia – binging and purging, vomiting, taking laxatives, diet pills or drugs. Patients average 14 episodes of binging and purging a week
Anorexia – Refusal to gain weight – Dieting to the point of starvation
Extreme Exercising – desire to exercise interferes with all other areas of life
Compulsive Overeating – consumption of large amounts of food even when not physically hungry
Gambling:
- Intoxication that comes from risky behavior
- Escape from reality – the belief that the next risk will be the one that will put everything right
Methods:
- Lottery
- Betting on sports
- Casinos
- Online gambling
- Stock market
Consequences:
- Enormous debt – financial ruin
- Use of loan sharks can put life in jeopardy
Sexual Addictions:
- Pornography encourages sexually immoral thoughts and actions and places unrealistic expectations on the marital relationship
- Infidelity – Chemical rush that comes from forbidden behavior
- Exhibitionism – revealing clothes
Shopping:
- Accompanied by a high in which causes a shopper to lose control and buy many items for which they have no need.
- Many lines of credit with no thought to the cumulative total of your debt
- Garage sales
- Online auctions (e-bay)
Consequences:
- Debt
- Fear of discovery
- Marital conflict
Internet:
Anonymity of internet provides the opportunity to escape depression, stress, anxiety, or relationship problems.
Characterized by:
- Compulsion to go online
- Online relationships take precedence to home relationships
- Addiction to alter ego
- Sleep deprivation
How do you know if you have an addiction?
- You cannot stop behaving in a way that threatens to ruin your life
- Habits or behaviors come to dominate daily life and you find yourself powerless to stop despite promises to do so
Ask this question: “Do I think I have a problem?”
Do those closest to you think you have a problem?
Are your actions having a negative affect on you and those around you?
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
Romans 5:6
Find Freedom in Jesus.
Recognize that Christ came to set us free from all addictions so that we could run to Him to fulfill every longing of our hearts!
- Recognize areas in your life where addictions are affecting you now
- Evaluate the level control it has on your life
- Seek help
- Celebrate Recovery
- Prayer Counseling
- Godly counsel
- Accountability
Romans 8:1-2– So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.
Discussion Questions:
What are the idols you turn to when you are struggling with your feelings?
Why is it easier to run to other things to meet our needs rather than run to God?