AUTHENTIC FREEDOM
ADDICTION
«Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed» (John 8:36).
The topic chosen for this month is freedom from addictions. Many define happiness as freedom from any type of addiction. In fact, even if all the basic needs of the addicted person are met, he or she lacks free will in comparison with those who are not subject to such ties. This free will is a unique characteristic of the human race and a source of happiness, health and satisfaction. On the contrary, the person who is trapped not only suffers from the lack off reedom but also ends up damaging his or her physical and mental health, work and relationships, apart from causing damages to the society in general.
Chemical addictions constitute a serious lobal problem. For example, according to the World Health Organization (WH8), alcohol alone produces 2.5 million deaths in the world per year. Of these, 320,000 are young people (between 15 and 29 years old) who lose their life because of alcohol-related causes. Furthermore, there are more than 15 million people who suffer from disorders due to the use of drugs like cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines and opioids.
Even more available is tobacco which is consumed by thousands of millions of people in the world. Because of it, there are 6 millions deaths per year of which more than 600,000 are not users but who are exposed to a smoky environment. It is estimated that, sooner or later, the tobacco will kill half of its regular users. This is just a summary of the harm these substances produce. Behind the statistics, there are countless stories of pain and suffering, deception and uncertainty, failure and anxiety.
Many believers rest assured that, due to their principles, beliefs and customs, they would never use these products and are free of ending up as slaves. However, there are other more subtle types of addictions such as behavioral addictions to food, shopping, sex, TV, mobile phone, computer or work. All these activities are legal, but they can be used inappropriately and cause addictions to their users.
Lastly, there is another form of slavery so generalized that it is universal: sin (Rom. 3: 10, 23). This slavery weighs on each and every one of the members of the human family from the past, present and future. This bond, that oppresses the life of the human being, can be broken by the grace of the Lord Jesus who grants authentic freedom. Ask Jesus today for freedom from any addiction, especially from sin.
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores: Yudith C & Alejandra Zavala