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Text: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
"Or do you not know
that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have
from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore,
glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
Introduction
Beloved, the message for
today is on a silent killer—an enemy that gradually devastates lives, families,
and futures. The picture in front of us is a vivid depiction of addiction,
specifically smoking, and its annihilating impacts on the human body.
We see a woman blowing
out smoke, but her lungs have a more profound tale to tell. Her lungs are not
organs but fiery edifices packed with cigarettes. The passages of her
respiratory system look like dead, withered roots—lifeless, ravaged by addiction.
Smoke billows from her lungs like a signal, a plea for change.
This is not merely a
picture of smoking—it is a representation of all kinds of addiction that take
hold of people's lives. Whether alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling, or
unhealthy lifestyles, addiction is a chain that binds, enslaves, and kills. But
today, I come with a message of hope: God can break the chains of addiction!
I. The Reality of Addiction – A Destructive Bondage
1. Addiction Corrupts the Body
- The Bible instructs that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
- Addiction pollutes this temple, filling the body with poisons, making the body weak, and life shorter.
- Science has proven that smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory ailments.
- Other addictions also carry terrible repercussions—drugs ruin the mind, alcohol wrecks the liver, and pornography degrades the soul.
2. Addiction Takes Hold of the Mind
- Romans 7:15 (NKJV) – "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do."
- Many people struggling with addiction feel trapped. They want to stop but find themselves powerless.
- Addiction reprograms the brain, making it dependent on substances or habits.
- It starts as a choice but quickly becomes a prison.
3. Addiction Separates Us from God
- Isaiah 59:2 (NKJV) – "But your iniquities have separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."
- Addiction causes spiritual separation since it substitutes God with a harmful idol.
- Rather than finding peace in Christ, individuals pursue relief in fleeting pleasures.
- Sinful habits hinder hearing the voice of God and walking in His purpose.
Illustration:
There was a young man
who was addicted to drugs. He would say every day, "This is my last
time," but he would go back again and again. He lost his job, his family,
and almost his life. He cried out one day, "God, if You are real, set me
free!" God heard his cry, and through prayer, counseling, and faith, he
was set free.
Application:
What is dictating your
life? Is there a behavior, substance, or habit that you cannot relinquish? Know
the peril before it takes over your life.
II. The Spiritual Consequences of Addiction
- John 8:34 (NKJV) – "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin."
- Addictions that are sinful give the enemy a foothold.
- Addiction, when it takes its hold, opens the door to spiritual oppression.
- Certain addictions are more than habits; they are demonic strongholds that must be addressed through spiritual warfare.
2. Addiction Leads to Death
- Romans 6:23 (NKJV) – "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
- Physically, addiction results in disease and early death.
- Spiritually, addiction results in eternal separation from God if not repented of.
- The enemy employs addiction as one of his tools to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
3. Addiction Destroys Relationships
- Addiction has caused many families to be torn apart.
- Marriages are affected negatively when one spouse is addicted to alcohol, drugs, or pornography.
- Parents fail their children due to substance abuse.
- Addiction leads to isolation and causes individuals to feel they do not deserve to be loved.
Illustration:
A father lost everything
to gambling. His wife left him, his children were afraid of him, and his house
was full of debt. One night, in desperation, he fell to his knees and cried,
"God, I need help!" Through the power of Jesus, he surrendered his
addiction and rebuilt his life.
Application:
Do not wait until
addiction destroys everything. Surrender your struggle to Jesus today.
III. Breaking Free – The Power of God's Deliverance
1. Acknowledge the Problem
- James 5:16 (NKJV) – "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed."
- The initial step to deliverance is to admit that there is a problem.
- Most individuals deny their addiction, yet genuine freedom starts with confession.
2. Call on God for Help
- Psalm 50:15 (NKJV) – "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."
- God stands ready to deliver any person who calls on Him in faith.
- There is no addiction that is too powerful for God to shatter.
3. Substitute God's Presence for Addiction
- Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV) – "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit."
- When we subtract addiction, we need to fill the emptiness with God's presence.
- Worship, prayer, and God's Word promote lasting change.
4. Surround Yourself with Godly Support
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV) – "Two are better than one. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion."
- Find accountability from Christian counselors, pastors, or trusted believers.
- Addiction is empowered by isolation, but healing comes in community.
llustration:
A woman struggled with
alcohol addiction for years. She went to church but was not able to break free.
One day, she went to a small group, shared the struggle, and was prayed for.
She was delivered from addiction through the ministry of the church and is now
a counselor to others.
Application:
Whom do you need to call
upon to assist you? Don't struggle with addiction by yourself. God has
surrounded you with individuals who will help you.
Conclusion: A Call to Freedom
- If your loved one is addicted, stand in faith and pray for their deliverance.
- If you have been set free, testify and help others be free.
Final Call
- Would you like to be free from addiction? Yield your battle to God.
- Do you have a prayer need for yourself or someone you love? Stand in faith and believe for their liberty.
Closing Prayer:
"Heavenly Father, we stand before You today, acknowledging that addiction is a stronghold that only You can shatter. We confess our struggles, our weaknesses, and our failures. Lord, we need Your power to free us. Break every chain, shatter every yoke, and release Your healing. We decree that we are no longer slaves to addiction but children of God. In Jesus' powerful name, Amen!"
Final Encouragement
Do not let addiction
define you—let God's power define you! Walk into your freedom and live in
victory. God bless you!
