King Solomon’s Advice on Addictions

Key Verses: John 8:31-36, 1Kings 11:1-6, 2 Chronicles 9:22-25, Proverbs 23:29-35

Sermon Notes:

1. Based on Jesus’ definition, whoever sins is a slave to sin, and is addicted to sin. John 8:31-36

2. God hates sin because He loves you and doesn’t want you to destroy your life.

3. Progression of Addiction Proverbs 23:29-35

a. Addiction is rooted in deep seated negative emotions – i.e. pain and fear v.29

b. In order to deal with our pain, we self medicate and indulge. It’s appealing and pleasurable. It makes us forget our troubles. v.30

c. Inwardly we realize we are being enticed, but we give in anyway and make the excuse that we can stop anytime. v.31

d. Eventually, it distorts your perception of reality. vs.33-34

e. It anesthetizes and numbs your pain so you don’t feel anything. v.35a

f. You crave for another hit, and before you know it, you’re hooked. v.35b

4. Intellectually knowing the right thing to do is no guarantee that you will do it.

5. Be careful about buying into the world’s philosophy of finding happiness in “Bigger is Better.” It’s a philosophy of excess and it doesn’t work.

6. Freedom from bondage is found in Jesus alone.

Small Group Questions
Week 7 Respect the Beard

Icebreaker Question
Have you ever gone out to buy something to make you feel better? What was it? How did that work out for you?
Discussion Questions
1. Share a story of someone you know whose life was destroyed by addiction. How did it start? How did it progress? Who were the victims of this addiction? What could have been done to prevent it from getting worse?
2. All of us deal with stress and disappointment? What do you do in order to relieve stress or deal with a really painful experience in your life? Could any of those be considered addictive?
Would you consider that an addiction or merely a hobby/diversion? How would you differentiate the two?
3. Even legitimate activities can start out as something harmless but end up as addictions. Choose one and discuss how it can possibly become an addiction. Can you cite examples?
•Eating •Shopping •Working •Video games •Sports •Entertainment
•Anime •Computer •Gossip •Prescription Drugs •TV •YouTube
•Parties •Collections •Music •Bar Hopping •Celebrities •Cars
•Netflix •Blogging •Sex •Electronic toys •Facebook •Theme Parks
•Exercise •Selfie •Ministry •Relationships •White Lies •Others?
4. Why do you think some people are more prone to addictive behaviors than others?
5. Read 1 Cor. 6:12-13. “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.”
Apostle Paul makes a point that something may be ok and acceptable to do in the eyes of the public, but it does not necessarily have real value or meaning. Can you think of certain activities that we do that are not necessarily sinful but they do not really do us any good?
6. Emotional Triggers are situations we find ourselves in that make us react in dysfunctional and/or addictive ways. (For example you get very angry because you computer crashed or someone cut you off in the freeway.) Do you feel compelled to “act out” in habitual and addictive ways that you find difficult to stop? How does your relationship with Jesus help you manage your “acting out?”
7. Jesus defines sinful behavior as addictive behavior. Ephesians 5:18 says, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” Addiction is all about control and here Paul cites 2 opposing forces that can control our lives if we allow it. Compare the resulting influence of wine versus the Holy Spirit in a person’s life. Why do you think even Christians at times choose wine over the Holy Spirit?
8. Growing in our walk with Jesus allows us to give Him more control over our lives and give less control to sin. What habits have you developed in your life that fosters your relationship with Christ?
9. When a person is dominated by a addiction, its difficult to break its power without intervention. Do you have an accountability person(s) in your life that can hold you accountable when you act out in dysfunctional addictive ways?