Taboo No. 3: Substance abuse

Web Team Brent Chapman, Message, Taboo

The Challenge

God tells us not to be mastered by anything. (1 Chorinthians 6:12)

Summary

Substance abuse and addictions are the biggest issues facing out culture today

We need to answer the question, “just because I can, should I?” Our culture is fixated on our individual rights, but rarely considers if our choices are beneficial.

5 characteristics that mark a true addiction:

1. Increasing toleration of the substance or behavior
2. Suffer withdrawl symptoms when it is removed
3. Self-deception where rationalization and denial occurs
4. Loss of will power to deal with the addiction
5. Distortion of attention where the addiction consumes the person’s life

Is there anything that you are a slave to?

The pathway to freedom from substance abuse starts with: dealing with our denial, including breaking the shame cycle; seeking help, from God and others; taking one day at a time.

Your body belongs to Jesus, not substances (1 Chorinthians 6:19-20)

God is GREAT
Beer can be good
People need Jesus

Additional Resources

Christian self help groups

www.celebraterecovery.ca/group-directory-british-columbia

www.addictionrecoveryministry.org

www.freedomsession.org

Recovery Church Langley – Christian Life Assembly

www.clachurch.com/recovery

www.sevenoaks.org/ministries/addiction-recovery-ministry/

Other Sites

www.aa.org (alcoholics anonymous)

www.na.org (narcotics anonymous)

www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca (free counselling for problem gamblers and family)

For counselling options, contact us


About the Speaker

Brent Chapman is the lead pastor at SouthRidge Church in Langley. As a young man he was a painter–the kind that painted walls not canvass. Then God tapped him on the shoulder and changed the direction of his life forever.


About the Taboo Series

The Taboo Series was started in Feb of 2015 with the purpose to bri