I Kuurinthuus 8 - HBN & CEVUS06

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.

Dhuŋun dhadhi ireye je galo gi dhuŋun dha ŋidi ŋina ŋathillidhugijo ŋwoboŋ

1 Abi gi ŋidi ŋina ŋimal lidhugijo ŋwoboŋ, alŋa liliŋidhi peth darnu alŋa luthi liŋuŋw. Liŋa gwathalije alaŋ, abi uminyi gwathaice. 2 Ada gweta gwimarnu gwiliŋidhi kwoiny gweta, a ŋeda gwati gwiliŋidhi kwoiny gwetipo gwiro ŋinena adhuŋwun liŋa no. 3 Abi ada gweta gwimuminyi Kaloŋa, dhuŋun ibidha dhiliŋidhinu dugun. 4 Minoŋ gi dhuŋun dha ŋidi ŋa dheny ŋina ŋimal lidhugijo ŋwoboŋ, alŋa liliŋidhi darnu loboŋ lati liro kwoŋ gwetipo kidhila no, a Kalo gati giter no, abi Kalo giro getipo. 5 Abi ada kalo gimaje giter gi Sama i kwiyaŋ, (gwiro ŋinena jina kalo goinyadho a leleny loinyadho,) 6 abi dega Kalo giro getipo, gina giro Babo, gina guthi ŋida peth, a alŋa liro luŋun; a Kweleny gwetipo gwan Yasuuⓐ al Masiiẖ, gwina gwijo gwai ŋidi peth, a ŋeda gwai alŋa lathije.

Dhuŋun dhadhi gathaje mega uwa gwina gwuthi dhugore dhina dhimulo nono gi dhuŋun dha Kalo

7 Abi liŋa gwati gwo gi liji peth no; abi coŋ dugor dai degen loma latheny ŋida ŋiro ŋinena ŋidhugijillo ŋwoboŋ; a dugor degen dina dimamule nono diro ŋirle. 8 Abi ŋidi ŋa dheny ŋati ŋiji apai gi je ganu ja Kalo no; ada alŋa lati limeny no, alŋa lati lamarathe no; i ada alŋa limeny, alŋa lati lagedhadhe no. 9 Abi ethadhinul galo dathathi ŋoma ŋalo ŋadhapai dhuŋuna ibidha rui idheje di liji lina limulo nono no. 10 Ada gweta gwimaŋa aŋa gwina gwuthi liŋuŋw gwijalo deny di ŋwoboŋ, ada ŋeda gwimamule nono dhugor dhuŋun dhati dhaicini deny ŋida ŋina ŋidhugijillo ŋwoboŋ na? 11 Gi dhuŋun dha liŋa gwuŋa mega gwina gwimulo nono gwai, gwina gwima al Masiiẖ eijo na? 12 A minoŋ ada nyaŋa limupijo limega ŋida ŋike a nya gitijo dugore degen dina dimulo nono nyuri, nyaŋa lathapai ŋida ŋina ŋike di al Masiiẖ. 13 Minoŋ, ada ŋidi ŋa dheny ŋimathidheje maguri, nyi gwati gweny ji manaŋ gatur no, dathathiny idhejo maguri no.

Food Offered to Idols

1 In your letter you asked me about food offered to idols. All of us know something about this subject. But knowledge makes us proud of ourselves, while love makes us helpful to others. 2 In fact, people who think they know so much don't know anything at all. 3 But God has no doubts about who loves him.

4 Even though food is offered to idols, we know that none of the idols in this world are alive. After all, there is only one God. 5 Many things in heaven and on earth are called gods and lords, but none of them really are gods or lords. 6 We have only one God, and he is the Father. He created everything, and we live for him. Jesus Christ is our only Lord. Everything was made by him, and by him life was given to us.

7 Not everyone knows these things. In fact, many people have grown up with the belief that idols have life in them. So when they eat meat offered to idols, they are bothered by a weak conscience. 8 But food doesn't bring us any closer to God. We are no worse off if we don't eat, and we are no better off if we do.

9 Don't cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. 10 You know all this, and so it doesn't bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. 11 Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. 12 When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 So if I hurt one of the Lord's followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live.