There Is Hope For Drug Addicts
Read the first part of this blog here.
The proverb in Tagalog, “Habang may buhay, may pagasa" (While there is life, there is hope) is biblical.
ECCLESIASTES 9:4
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
I am a witness to this fact that in the Members Church of God International (MCGI), the powerful hand of God has been recreating people through the power of faith.
THE ACTS 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
It is through faith that God works his works, transforming one. This transformation through faith is achieved by the mercy of God.
TITUS 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS MERCY he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
God’s power and mercy may regenerate or recreate us through faith.
II CORINTHIANS 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Living examples
There are some ministers of the MCGI and many members who are former drug addicts. Particularly those that were converted through our Prison Ministry, they have become God-fearing and responsible persons and family men. Take note that they were not members before they were imprisoned but only converted when in prison.
I have seen how these men– former drug addicts-struggle hard through faith to let go their vices and addiction to obey God's call. Now, with God’s help and mercy, some of them have become able ministers of the gospel and are living examples for others who want to change. There is really hope for drug addicts!
How does this happen?
The word of God is quick and powerful that works within a person of faith.
HEBREWS 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The word of God is received – if received - and it is what works within one that believes.
I THESSALONIANS 2:13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
What is drug addiction
Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain; they change its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting and can lead to many harmful, often self-destructive, behaviors. (https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/science-drug-abuse-addiction-basics)
Can’t we just leave working on drug addiction to science?
Science is helping end addiction and is using new research. But scientific efforts are not enough to renew drug addicts. It is plain to see literature on drug addiction admit limitations of science.
When addiction research started in the 1930s, addiction was seen primarily as a moral failing rather than as a public health issue. Since then, we have made great strides in our understanding of the disease and neurobiology. There is still much to accomplish to understand the range of genetic variations and other medical consequences related to addiction. Important scientific research must continue — and expand — if we are to break addiction’s grip on our society. (http://www.shatterproof.org/pages/science-of-addiction)
There is this quote from Blaise Pascal that says, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator.” Pascal is a 1600’s mathematician and philosopher.
But what does science say? Deep within our being is a vacuum to be filled with the most powerful influence in our lives and that is faith in God! It was discovered by modern scientists that in a particular area of our brains exists this vacuum!
In a report by Arthur Martin, it appears that humans are programmed to believe in God. And this is so because it gives them a better chance of survival. The report said -
…The findings of Bruce Hood, professor of developmental psychology at Bristol University, suggest that magical and supernatural beliefs are hardwired into our brains from birth, and that religions are therefore tapping into a powerful psychological force. His work is supported by other researchers who have found evidence linking religious feelings and experience to particular regions of the brain. They suggest people are programmed to receive a feeling of spirituality from electrical activity in these areas. (“Why we are born to believe in God: It's wired into the brain, says psychologist,” Dailymail, UK (9/7/2009).
Believing in the supernatural is not "something stupid" as claimed by atheists. It was proven scientifically that the supernatural links to a spot in the depth of our being. It is in this vacuum that the truth about God and His teachings must occupy. Otherwise would spell disaster. Filling this vacuum with man-invented teachings and fairytales is the main cause of perversion.
MARK 7:7
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
THE ROMANS 10:3
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
The cause of it all
Refusal to submit to God's will is the cause of all evil and perversion in man including drug addiction because the mind has been squatted upon with perverse things. The spot reserved for The Almighty has been dedicated to false pleasure.
THE ROMANS 1:28-32
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
The real cause and root of all evil in human society are man-invented teachings and false religions! They have influenced terrorism, extremism, fanaticism, and atheism, leading men to reject the truth in the Holy Scriptures!
Such rejection has had its heavy consequences: the belief in a lie.And it is heavy because the owner of those words one must acknowledge, punishes those who disregard Him and his will. These verses are not lying -
II THESSALONIANS 2:11-12
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
In a drug abuser or addict, the abuse becomes abuse and the addiction becomes addiction due to repeated behavior. But the cycle can be broken when that vacuum in man responds to the call of God for change. The lies placed in the mind must be cleaned out and the configuration corrected with the words of God, so that the vacuum reserved for His Maker can be rightly activated and connect with the man. Then the love for drugs can be rooted out.
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