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Alcoholism - Can I get out?
by Alfonso Abels Alcohol abuse or alcoholism, the core of our discussion, affects millions of people worldwide. This is either directly or indirectly. Can we be saved from this alcohol mad world? Yes, we can, but we cannot without Jesus Christ. Why? He is the only true Redeemer. Nothing is possible without Him. Dear beloved, we, by adding to this declaration, do a brief discussion on alcoholism and start with answering:"What are the roots to all this?" Negative political actions leads to various communities up rises as result of dissatisfaction amongst affected citizens. Eventually violence, alcohol and drug abuse, child and woman abuses, divorces, etc. forms the norm of the day in these affected areas. These problems give birth to the particular residential area`s characteristics. One can just think about the many squatter camps and slums. Not everyone can deal with personal problems or issues that affect the whole community. It is also important to note that no spirit inside a human being can provide any healing or solution to these problems. The godly medicinal solution is only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The power and the truth lay in the crucifixion of Jesus when he took all the sins of Man upon Him. Many people thus strive to get away from anxiety, frustration and tension. They see alcohol as a problem solver and drinking become so severe that alcoholism creeps in. What is alcoholism? This aspect is part of man`s sins and an age old problem. Alcohol is a drug that lowers the nervous system`s activity and affects the control centres of the brain. Intoxicated people may behave in a way that is unacceptable to others. They might, in this process, lose their self p- control. Mental confusion, inability to walk steadily and even unclear talk might creep in. Alcoholism, together with heart disease and cancer, are major health hazards. It is seen as a disease in which a person has an overwhelming desire to drink alcohol beverages. The person who suffers from this disease is known as an alcoholic. Male alcoholics are in the majority. However, the negative effects of alcoholism are more severe among women. The occasional drinker is not seen as an alcoholic, but we get different levels of alcohol usage. Alcoholics are divided into three groups: Type 1: Alcoholics in this group were born with genetic defects in their endorphin producing system. Severe alcohol usage can be as result of a genetic origin. Reduced levels of endorphins cause people to engage in excessive drinking. Alcoholics in this group are convinced that alcohol holds the key to making life bearable. However, alcohol lessens the producing of endorphins. Type 2: Alcoholics in this group are seen as "stress induced" drinkers. These people are born with normal brain chemistry. Alcoholics in this group are also convinced that alcohol holds the key to making life bearable. Alcohol thus also lessens the production of endorphins in their bodies. Type 3: Alcoholics in this group are seen as "drug induced" drinkers. They previously possessed normal brain chemistry. Severe alcohol usage weakens the brain`s ability to produce endorphins. Continuing drinking leads to endorphins shortages and long term alcoholic behaviour. The serious effects of alcohol abuse include hallucinations (visions) and violent trembling. The liver can be seriously affected and cause death. Female alcoholics may give birth to babies suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome. These babies are normally small in stature, have malformed organs or even be mental retarded. Gracefully, many alcoholics have been rehabilitated and succeeded in life giving hope for others. Alcoholics, very importantly, need to admit their problems instead of finding a controlled manner of drinking. The same applies to other abusers. Active alcoholics and young people also need to be warned against the dangers of alcohol abuse.This can be done by means of testimonies and campaigns. The greatest addiction, the pulls of the human nature, can be overcome with the help of our Father. Many people overcame this problem. God is alive and are still healing the sick and solving problems. God is the Master of the Universe. Apostle Paul warned the Christians not to stray and advised them not to indulge in unholy acts. (1 Cor.6:9, 10). Man suffers from the sins, inherited from Adam, which are created by the acts of human nature. Adam and Eve`s sins were due to Satan`s deceitful desires. Sin holds the potential to become an addictive,destructive force. Satan, the biggest influence on the human nature, is the great enemy of God and all humanity. Therefore he will seek all means to destroy mankind. Poverty and abuse are amongst his favourite channels to attack subtle man.Satan, the ruler of the kingdom of the air, operates in those that are disobedient to the Lord. God made a covenant (Genesis 3:15) that He would deliver all sinners via Jesus Christ, water and the Spirit. God promised to send John the Baptist ahead of Jesus. He kept this .promise. The birth of Jesus lead to the cut off of the shackles of sin for all people. Those people who still have a hard time under sin are slaves of sin.His redemption made it possible that our sins could be absolutely cut off. He removed all our sins. Is there anyone who still suffers from sin? Our warfare against sin has ended. We shall never suffer in sin again. Our bondage to sin ended when Jesus redeemed us with His baptism and blood. The Son of God has expiated all our sins. What must be done to receive spiritual healing? People must have a desire to be redempted from their sinful nature. Every sinner must accept God into their lives. God can start working when people have acknowledge Him as the only and true Savior. One thus certainly need to confess God as your Savior.A desire to call to God for help must be present. Faith and believe in Jesus Christ is essential. Jesus ,as already mentioned, is the only one that can save you from going lost. One need to place all your trust in the Lord. Saved people have to end all sinful thinking and deeds.They need to encourage others to also repent and worship a true God. A healthy fellowship with other worshippers of God is also vital. This will help in having a godly manner of speech.Digging deeper into the Word of God by means of ,amongst others, Bible studies will strenghten the move to a godly manner of speech. God is definite alive, still healing the sick and still solving problems. Non = negotiable is the fact that God is the Master of the Universe. The greatest addiction, the pulls of the human nature, can surely be overcome with the help of our Father. Is there then any hope for lost souls? The answer is YES.The victory by Christ on the cross assures us this. He has conquered the world. John 16 v 33: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Faith is only needed to ensure victory one`s addiction problem. Faith is caused in our hearts in order to believe that, what is written is really true. God allows us to still sin, because we still live in a sinful world. Important to remember, Christians do not believe in three God's. That is tri-theism. They believed in One God with three subsistence's (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Jesus Christ, the Messiah of the Jews, is the only reason why there are people called Christians. He paid for the sins of the world. The Bible is clear that God is three and that God is One. In conclusion, because of repentance of sins and acceptance of Christ, we, the children of God, can look forward to going home. The ultimate destination is a safe haven called Paradise. Jesus ensures this by owning us as His children. Gracefully, we got Jesus Christ in our lives and in our purified hearts. Heaven is my home and the earth my foot bench. "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." John 12 v 46 Therefore becoming alcohol and drug free is definitely possible. God`s way, no other way! Amen!!! Alfonso lives in Mamre, South Africa and is married to Jean. Both are born - again Christians. Alfonso is a full - time minister of the Word and author of Christian materials. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |