​Ephesians 5:18 (NIV):  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
 
Don’t worry: I am not going to talk about alcohol. I am not even going to talk about drunkenness. This verse speaks to a much deeper issue.
 
We are all addicted to something. When we are addicted, we have given control of ourselves to something. We cannot function unless we have this thing.
 
We can be addicted to many things. Some people are addicted to alcohol. Others are addicted to smoking or vaping. Still others go for drugs, from marijuana to meth. Pornography is an addiction. Social media is an addiction. Fame and money can be an addiction.
 
Everyone is addicted to something.
 
Unfortunately, not only do we place ourselves under the control of our addiction, we are worshiping that addiction. We are saying that this thing that we are addicted to will provide everything for us.
 
Unfortunately, that addiction lies.
 
Nothing that we are addicted to will provide what we need. It will not provide rest, or escape, or strength, or love, or whatever it promises us. Addiction will always disappoint.
 
Take this from someone who knows.
 
Sometimes one who is addicted will try to break that addiction, but they will merely replace that addiction. Many people will turn from smoking to vaping. Drinking to caffeine. These are still addictions. We are still giving control of ourselves to something else.
 
Instead of replacing addiction with addiction, Scripture tells us to turn from our addiction to Jesus Christ. He fills the emptiness that we are trying to fill with our addiction. He gives true rest, purpose, strength, love, and everything else we seek.
 
Be filled with him. Not your thing.
 
This turning from addiction to Jesus cannot happen alone. If you are struggling with an addiction, reach out to someone who can help, someone who will point you to true freedom in Jesus. Together you can find freedom from addiction and an escape from all the lies that have been told.
 
I pray that we all find freedom in Jesus.

Ephesians 5:18 (NIV):  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
 
Don’t worry: I am not going to talk about alcohol. I am not even going to talk about drunkenness. This verse speaks to a much deeper issue.
 
We are all addicted to something. When we are addicted, we have given control of ourselves to something. We cannot function unless we have this thing.
 
We can be addicted to many things. Some people are addicted to alcohol. Others are addicted to smoking or vaping. Still others go for drugs, from marijuana to meth. Pornography is an addiction. Social media is an addiction. Fame and money can be an addiction.
 
Everyone is addicted to something.
 
Unfortunately, not only do we place ourselves under the control of our addiction, we are worshiping that addiction. We are saying that this thing that we are addicted to will provide everything for us.
 
Unfortunately, that addiction lies.
 
Nothing that we are addicted to will provide what we need. It will not provide rest, or escape, or strength, or love, or whatever it promises us. Addiction will always disappoint.
 
Take this from someone who knows.
 
Sometimes one who is addicted will try to break that addiction, but they will merely replace that addiction. Many people will turn from smoking to vaping. Drinking to caffeine. These are still addictions. We are still giving control of ourselves to something else.
 
Instead of replacing addiction with addiction, Scripture tells us to turn from our addiction to Jesus Christ. He fills the emptiness that we are trying to fill with our addiction. He gives true rest, purpose, strength, love, and everything else we seek.
 
Be filled with him. Not your thing.
 
This turning from addiction to Jesus cannot happen alone. If you are struggling with an addiction, reach out to someone who can help, someone who will point you to true freedom in Jesus. Together you can find freedom from addiction and an escape from all the lies that have been told.
 
I pray that we all find freedom in Jesus.