CONVERSATIONS: Q. Why is Addic6on so prevalent? Do you know anyone who is an addict? Chances are, you do. We read about famous movie stars, who seemingly have all the wealth and fame, but secretly nurse a drug problem. We hear of families losing their life savings because of uncontrolled gambling. Addic?on, can take many forms. Yes, there’s substance abuse: cigareCes, alcohol, drugs, but we can also be addicted to shopping, coﬀee or people! Today, we think of “addic?on” as a physical act. Actually, addic?on is more a spiritual need, than a physical need: Compare these 2 deﬁni?ons below: 1. Merriam-‐Webster dic?onary: (current) “Addic?on”: a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such as gamble) 2. Noah Webster 1928 dic?onary: “Addic?on” The act of devo6ng or giving up in prac?ce; the state of being devoted. Do you see a diﬀerence in the deﬁni6ons? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ The ﬁrst describes a harmful form of addic?on, the second shows a more posi?ve type of addic?on. . Even the Bible describes 2 kinds: Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be ﬁlled with the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 NLT What does this teach us? _________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ There is something inside every person that is “empty” and needs to be ﬁlled. Blaise Pascal describes it this way: “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be ﬁlled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.” Do you agree or disagree with that statement? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ The addic6ons that we see now, are man’s eﬀorts to ﬁll the emp6ness inside him. "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not saOsfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. "Incline your ear and come to Me.” Isaiah 55: 2-‐3a “Addic6on” or true devo6on to God brings real freedom and liberty. The world’s addic?ons enslave, and entrap, while devo?on to God, actually liberates the Chris?an believer. All of a sudden, the chronic adulterer can change. The habitual liar, now chooses to tell the truth. The “black sheep” becomes God’s sheep as he follows the Good Shepherd. Q. Based on the verses below, what beneﬁcial things happen, when we choose to devote ourselves to follow God? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your oﬀspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3 _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ “For the (the wicked) y cannot sleep unless they do evil…For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter un?l the full day.” Proverbs 4:16-‐18 Prayer: Dear Jesus, You are the way, the truth and the life. Help my heart be addicted and devoted to you, and not to any created thing. Make me hunger and thirst for your words and your wisdom. May I learn to seek Your presence daily so my soul may be ﬁlled and sa?sﬁed. I pray for myself and my friends as well, please break the clutches of harmful addic?ons and replace it supernaturally with a devo?on to You. What is impossible for men is possible with You. Thank You for the power of your Holy Spirit to bring us true liberty. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.