DRUGS/ALCOHOL: TOOLS OF SATAN’S DESTRUCTIVE SCHEMES
DRUGS/ALCOHOL: TOOLS OF SATAN’S DESTRUCTIVE SCHEMES
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?” —Proverbs 23:29-35
Well, wasn’t that fun! Those days before I came to Jesus were filled with drunken stupors. When I look back now I shake my head and think “What a waste of time, resources and needless abuse on my body those times were” and there were, unfortunately, very many of them. I can truly identify, sadly, with the description of a drunk in the verses above. I thank You, Dear Father, for freeing me from that life-style all that goes with it.
In a small city north of where I live, 70 people have overdosed on drugs this year. A guard at the prison told me this last night. He also told me how drug users are now driving to the hospital to shoot themselves up with drugs so if they overdose they will be right outside the emergency room, expecting they will be revived. A nurse recently told me she knows of a person that has been revived 150 times from drug overdose! Our culture is in deep trouble as is our world. The only truly transforming message is to trust Jesus.
I read that 25 billion dollars were spent in 2016 on drug prevention. Drug and alcohol abuse cost taxpayers 442 billion dollars annually. One in ten people over the age of 12 are addicted to drugs. 17.6 million adults or 1-12 are addicted to alcohol. As mentioned in the verses above these addicts live for another day to feed their addiction.
Again, Jesus set me free from that life-style. Without Him where would I be today? More than likely I would have become an alcoholic and surely may have been dead by now… I am grateful to God for showing me the Truth about His Son because “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Thank You Jesus for the freedom you have given me to live for you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEhRucEVzH8 Now, may I have compassion on those who are now where I once was and share You with them! Oh, may it be so!
Dear Father, how grateful I am for freeing me from the bondage of alcohol and so many sinful things that go along with that life-style. Now, may I seek to be the person You desire me to be in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. Telling whoever I can about Your Greatness! May it be so!