Would it surprise you that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 6,390 young people ages 15-20 died in motor vehicle crashes in the year 2,000? Of them alcohol was involved in 2,339 deaths. And as related to drivers – 3,594 young drivers ages 15-20 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2,000 and of those drivers 1,066 had been drinking or were legally drunk. For those above 21 years of age the total number of motor vehicle related deaths was 48,102 and 10,184 were alcohol related. To say that substance abuse is a serious problem would be an understatement.
The societal, cultural, environmental & biblical context of the Christians living in Rome made it difficult for them to live free in Christ. Living in a corrupt culture just like every one of us since the fall of Adam and Eve, the Christians in Rome even found it difficult to handle the freedom they had in Christ. Paul speaks of that in the first 11 verses of Romans 6. And on that basis he tells the believers in Rome in vv.12-13 to “Let not sin reign. . . “ The problem was they struggled to do that and some found themselves in the bondage of substance abuse as indicated in Romans 13:13. Paul exhorted them there, “Lets behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness . . .”
We are all needy people and we’re driven to meet those needs in a variety of ways. We all need to be loved and accepted for who we are and we’re all looking for some affirmation in life. For various reasons, people turn to alcohol and drugs to help them with the problems of life. Some people experiment with alcohol and drugs for social reasons; it becomes a means to get rid of inhibitions or to be a part of the crowd. Others turn to chemical substances as a means to cope with or to ease the pain – a pain that can be either physical or emotional. The only problem is the high or relief is only short-lived and if people continue using chemicals as a means of partying, escaping or coping the result may predictably be one of abuse. So my overall question today is “What is the Substance of Substance Abuse?” I’ll try to answer it with 3 other questions. First of all:
I. What is Substance Abuse?
Well, the more common term for it today might be addiction. From a spiritual perspective we may call it Bondage. Substance abuse may serve as a softer term than addiction or bondage. Nonetheless, in today’s society it’s mainly associated with legal and illegal drugs or alcohol. Of course there are other forms of addiction abuse and bondage including sexual abuse, bondage and addiction, the use of pornography as well as gambling addictions. One other form of addiction I need to mention is Tobacco. All tobacco products cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco have nicotine and it’s a drug that’s as addictive as cocaine and heroin. One drop of pure nicotine could kill the average person. Well, Webster’s definition of addiction is “the condition of being a slave to a habit.” In other words, abuse or addiction in the context we are using it today is allowing something or someone to control your actions.
Now substance abuse is considered good or bad by the individual’s own motives and desires as well as what that person will do to fulfill that desire. In the world of substance abuse an individual who has a strong desire to use drugs will violate moral and civil law to possess his/her drug of choice. And when a desire to possess something becomes more important than people or one’s self it’s considered bad. The biblical word for this type of addiction is called “lust” in our text at v.12. . . The Greek word is “epithumia” which means longing for and denotes strong desire of any kind. Now, it can be used in a good sense and is 3 times in the NT. However, everywhere else it has a bad sense. And what makes substance abuse bad is the priority a person gives to engaging in the pursuit of his/her addiction. They’re willing to sacrifice self and others to pursue it.
The danger of substance abuse is indicated by Paul in Galatians 6:8a, “For he who soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption” or as the NIV says, “destruction.” He is saying that whoever is controlled by the flesh will experience self-destruction. And that destruction comes in many forms. It can come in the form of health problems and those problems can be physical, biological, psychological, emotional or mental. Well, to get the full understanding of “the substance of substance abuse,” we need to ask another question:
II. Where does substance abuse come from?
The short answer is it’s root is sin. And sin is defined as anything that’s contrary to what God considers righteous. Bondage, addiction and substance abuse is the result of a combination of influences from the world, the flesh and the devil. Traumatic events in your childhood can influence it. More commonly it comes from gradual surrender to temptation. Our vulnerability to specific temptations is one of the results of the Fall when Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan. Since that time different types of addiction have become a primary weapon of the evil one.
Another influencing factor is: out of our early childhood experiences there are messages we receive from our parents, siblings and significant others in our lives. We have emotional responses to those messages and feel certain ways about them. As a result of our feelings in response to those messages we then develop our belief system. Some of the beliefs of those who find themselves in bondage or susceptible to substance abuse or other addictions are low self-esteem: “I’m no good, I’m a failure, I can’t measure up.” They have poor relationships: They believe, “nobody wants to be around me, I can’t get along with anyone.” They have unmet needs: They believe, “I can’t depend on God or other people for the love, acceptance and worth I need so I have to figure a way to meet my own needs.” So their addiction will help them feel acceptable, loved and complete or whole.
Alcohol and drugs work not so much by stepping on the accelerator as by releasing the brake – inhibitions are overcome, and a temporary reprieve from the pressures of life may be experienced. Unfortunately, the effects wear off and the morning after is a different deal. Reality sets in, you have to go to work or school and all the pressures and responsibilities of life come rushing right back at you. And along with it, is the guilt, shame fear and potential dependence. If we’re to win our freedom from addiction we need to employ the right weapons. To attempt to overcome addiction using physical means will only lead to failure. In fact, this failure has been experienced in the secular substance abuse treatment arena for decades. So the final question we need to ask is:
III. What is the cure for substance abuse?
Secular society doesn’t have the proper weapons to battle addiction. There’s only One who can supply a person with the correct weapons and His name is Jesus. Your belief in God’s provision is the key to beginning the process of breaking free of substance abuse and addiction. You have to admit you have a problem and be willing to walk in the light and speak the truth in love with God, yourself, your family and friends. There must be an attempt to get help in resolving your psychological and spiritual conflicts which aided your addiction so you can be established alive and free in Jesus Christ.
To that end you need to know who you are in Christ and what it means to be a child of God. You need to understand the battle for your mind and how to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ because you have been and continue to be overwhelmed with tempting and accusing thoughts. Then you need to learn how God can meet ALL your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
In our text it’s stated in the focal passage of vv.11-14. . . Paul puts it another way in Ephesians 4:22-24 . . . The cure is to put off the flesh, ie, “walking after the flesh” which strongly desires to follow sinful practices and put on the new self, your new identity, which strongly desires to worship God by “walking in the Spirit,” through Jesus Christ. To overcome the flesh requires total dependence on God as well as the support of family and friends. By the grace of God you can overcome your addiction and learn to live a victorious life in Christ. The start of that victorious journey begins with one step of faith. Would you trust Jesus Christ as your Savior? Would you trust Jesus Christ as your Lord? Would you trust Jesus Christ as your Life?
