1 Corinthians 2 - CEVUS06 & MB

Addictions come in many shapes and forms, whether it’s lust, alcohol, substances, gambling, gaming, or even excessive use of your mobile phone and social media. There is professional help to get as well as counselling from your priest or pastor.

Also, read the Bible and lay your addiction before God in prayer. Here are some passages from the Word of God to reflect upon.

James 1:14-15 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

We all have weaknesses within us that can make us fall and lead to an addiction. Acknowledging this, and admitting that you struggle with addiction is an important step to be free from it.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Addictions don’t come from God, but from the world and our desires, lusts and pride. We can rely on God wanting us to be free from any addiction.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

You may feel that you can’t break your addiction. But the Bible tells us that God can. God will provide the way of escape. Turn to God, turn from your addiction. Let God fill you with his presence.

1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Addiction is many times when something takes control over you. Those things that are not helpful in your life and dominate your thoughts and desires you may need to cut out of your life.

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Addictions come from this world and not from God. In the end, addictions replace God as the number one in our lives. It’s not just about addictions, but also about our souls.

Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Lay your struggles before God. Ask for God’s protection and deliverance.

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

This is the promise of Jesus Christ, that when he sets us free, it is real freedom.

This article is not intended as a replacement for medical or therapeutic help or treatment for addiction, but a complement and inspiration to those who battle addiction.

Telling about Christ and the Cross

1 Friends, when I came and told you the mystery that God had shared with us, I didn't use big words or try to sound wise. 2 In fact, while I was with you, I made up my mind to speak only about Jesus Christ, who had been nailed to a cross.

3 At first, I was weak and trembling with fear. 4 When I talked with you or preached, I didn't try to prove anything by sounding wise. I simply let God's Spirit show his power. 5 That way you would have faith because of God's power and not because of human wisdom.

6 We do use wisdom when speaking to people who are mature in their faith. But it isn't the wisdom of this world or of its rulers, who will soon disappear. 7 We speak of God's hidden and mysterious wisdom that God decided to use for our glory long before the world began. 8 The rulers of this world didn't know anything about this wisdom. If they had known about it, they would not have nailed the glorious Lord to a cross. 9 But it is just as the Scriptures say,

“What God has planned

for people who love him

is more than eyes have seen

or ears have heard.

It has never even

entered our minds!”

10 God's Spirit has shown you everything. His Spirit finds out everything, even what is deep in the mind of God. 11 You are the only one who knows what is in your own mind, and God's Spirit is the only one who knows what is in God's mind. 12 But God has given us his Spirit. This is why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. This is also why we can recognize the blessings God has given us.

13 Every word we speak was taught to us by God's Spirit, not by human wisdom. And this same Spirit helps us teach spiritual things to spiritual people. 14 This is why only someone who has God's Spirit can understand spiritual blessings. Anyone who doesn't have God's Spirit thinks these blessings are foolish. 15 People who are guided by the Spirit can make all kinds of judgments, but they cannot be judged by others. 16 The Scriptures ask,

“Has anyone ever known

the thoughts of the Lord

or given him advice?”

But we understand what Christ is thinking.

Lazo Kristo se Oto be ana ro

1 Tuse mikyibe amire, ädrupii maro, ta dämbidämbi taŋgye Lu ro ro opene, mape kote ata 'desi si ago tauni para si. 2 Tana ma bedri orivoya ami yibe, ma'ba tauni drî maro rote ta ŋga cini ro ijene e'be gialo Yesu Kristo ago ndrana odra ndaro taka dri. 3 Tana tuse mikyibe amire, ma mbaraako ago mälä'bite turi amba be, 4 ago ŋgaemba maro ndi lazo maro be mozo kote ata tavouni lidri ro rosi se ka 'di leye; oko orivoya taka'daro mbara Tori Lu ro robe. 5 Ka'do inye, taoma amiro, ka ko ori tavouni lidri ro dri oko mbara Lu ro dri ayani.

Tavouni Lu ro

6 Caoko mà lazo tavouni ro opena ànya se konde omba ori tori voro rote ri. Oko ko tavouni se 'bädri ono rosi kode mbara yi se kabe 'bädri ono mirina rosi, mbara yi se mbarana kate okye ono. 7 Oko tavouni se mabe opene orivoya tavouni dämbidämbiro Lu ro yi, se ada'dote ni lidri cini ri, oko se nda njite ṛo nja ta ama oro rota kpa ṛo teinye 'bädri o'baako. 8 'Dimiri'bai aza 'bädri ono ro niyi tavouni ono ko. Ondro aba ànya kuniyi gwo, ànyari Opi orooro ro otone i'do. 9 Caoko, oso taegyi kabe ata ronye ekye:

“Tase 'diaza ndre ko kode eri ko,

tase 'diaza usutavona ko ekye unina ndi a'done,

ṛoni orivoya ŋgase Lu edete ànya se kabe nda lu ri owo.”

10 Oko Lu 'ba ta dämbidämbiro ndaro te ämäri unine Tori ndaro si. Tori kani ŋgacini uṛi ca ta da'doda'doro gyuru Lu ro. 11 E'be gialo tori 'dialo modo ro se orivoya ya nda modo roya 'do kani ta cini ndaro unina, kpa oso inye, e'be gialo Tori Lu ro ni ta Lu ro cini ni. 12 Mùsu kote tori 'bädri ono ro ayani, oko mùsute Tori se ni Lu resi ayani, tana mä̀ni ŋgase cini Lu kozobe ämäri robe.

13 Ka'do inye, mà ko taope ata se embabe tavouni lidri ro si si, oko ata se embabe Tori si si, mà taŋgye ori tori voro ro tazevona edrena ànya se Tori be ri. 14 Nda se orivoya Tori ako unina ko ŋgapäṛi se kabe ikyi ni Tori Lu ro resi usune. Lidri nonye ono endaro ni ànya ko; ànya orivoya ta awi yi ndäri, tana kado ànyaro apena vurena toto ori se tori voro si. 15 Nda se Tori be, caoko, nda orivoya mbara be kado ŋgacini ro vurena opene, oko 'diaza i'do mbara be vure ndaro opene. 16 Oso taegyi kabe ata ronye ekye:

“A'di ni tauni drî Opi ro ro niya?

A'di ni mbara be tavoka'dane ndäri ya?

Caoko, ama orivoya drî tauni ro Kristo robe.”