We live in an age where addiction is rampant, and alcohol stands as the number one drug of choice for many Americans. Its easy availability in virtually every market exacerbates the problem, drawing countless individuals into a cycle of dependence. Alcohol abuse begins as a seemingly simple escape from pain but often ends in a prison of life-threatening calamity, damaging family, social, and business relationships. The abuser, trapped by both chemical and psychological dependence, struggles to break free from the vice-like grip of addiction, often hating himself for succumbing to it. Many turn to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the oldest and largest organization dedicated to helping people overcome alcohol addiction, claiming a success rate as high as 60 percent. However, studies dispute this efficacy, with one finding no difference between AA participants and those receiving no treatment at a 12-month follow-up, and even noting a higher likelihood of binge drinking among AA attendees at a 3-month follow-up. Another study showed a lower success rate for AA clients compared to an untreated group, based on rearrest records. Despite these findings, AA has inspired numerous similar organizations to help with various addictions, all following the basic Twelve Steps program. The Twelve Steps involve admitting powerlessness over alcohol, believing in a higher Power to restore sanity, and turning one's life over to God as understood by the individual. Steps also include making a moral inventory, admitting wrongs, seeking to have defects removed, making amends, continuing personal inventory, and carrying the message to other alcoholics. While AA denies being a religious society, it acknowledges that its program is based on certain spiritual values, leading many members to report a deepening of spiritual perception and reliance on a higher Power for recovery. Yet, the organization's approach allows individuals to interpret this Power as they see fit, creating a broad and vague framework for recovery.

God, through Paul, lists drunkenness as one of the works of the flesh, warning that no drunkard will inherit God's Kingdom. Proverbs 23:31 advises not to look on the wine when it is red and fermenting, as it can be dangerous, with instances of winery workers being overcome by poisonous gases and dying. Drunkenness and excess of alcohol are clearly condemned in many New Testament scriptures, just as in the Old. The apostle Paul, while condemning excessive alcohol consumption in I Timothy 3:3 and 8, advises Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach's sake and frequent infirmities. God gave us wine and alcoholic beverages for enjoyment and to learn proper use through wisdom and self-control, but for those with low tolerance or alcoholism, the wisest course is to abstain. The proper use of alcohol is a great responsibility, and only its wrong use is sin.

The Bible alludes to addiction in many places under the guise of its pronouncements about wine and strong drink and drunkenness. A survey of Scripture on these related subjects shows that, while God does not condemn the drinking of alcohol, He strongly advises healthy self-control so that we do not succumb to its effects, which includes addiction. Solomon counsels in Proverbs 20:1 that wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. He writes in Proverbs 23:19-21 to hear and be wise and guide the heart in the way and not to mix with winebibbers or with gluttonous eaters of meat for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags. He spends seven verses at the end of the chapter describing the debilitating effects of alcohol in Proverbs 23:29-35. In Proverbs 31:4-5 he sounds another warning that it is not for kings to drink wine nor for princes intoxicating drink lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. Those in positions of authority and responsibility need to have clear heads to fulfill their roles with integrity and accountability and alcohol undermines those efforts. The principle applies especially to God's called-out ones who are in training for similar positions in the Kingdom of God. In these and other scriptures the Bible argues not for total abstinence from alcohol but for moderation governed by self-control. Those with little or weak self-control or those who have a weakness or predisposition toward alcoholism should abstain from alcohol to avoid addiction but otherwise God's people are free to enjoy it well-short of both drunkenness and dependence. Failure to exercise self-control in the consumption of alcohol or any other similar substance is considered a sin. Paul writes in no uncertain terms in I Corinthians 6:10 that drunkards will not inherit the Kingdom of God and drunkenness appears in his list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:21. The Bible's view contradicts the modern declaration of addictions as diseases or genetic predisposition both of which absolve the individual of any responsibility for his condition. God however sees addictions like alcoholism or drug use as the result of a series of sinful choices toward self-destruction. While family history or genetic predisposition may be mitigating factors the addict is still held responsible for his choice each time he downs another alcoholic beverage. The solution already mentioned is a difficult one of self-control. Immediately after listing the works of the flesh Paul balances the ledger with the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. The final fruit as if it is the one we should be working toward the culmination of our efforts is self-control. Through God's grace and forgiveness and Christ's work in us through the Holy Spirit we can overcome addiction no matter how strong a grip it seems to have on us. Even so we must make the seemingly impossible choice to say no to the intense cravings suffer the symptoms of withdrawal and set our wills never to surrender to the tempting allurements of the addiction indeed to flee from them as Joseph ran from Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39:12. God will supply the help to overcome if we supply the desire the dedication and the determination to repent of our poor choices. He will not wave a wand and make the addiction disappear. We have to go through the arduous and painful process to build the character to control ourselves and our urges. He will provide support to help along the way. The apostle Paul tells us in II Timothy 1:7 that the Spirit that God gives us to change our character into the image of Jesus Christ is one not of fear but of power and of love and of a sound or controlled mind. Each of these attributes will help an addict overcome his addiction. He needs power to be stronger than his addiction he needs love to convince him of his worth and he needs a sound mind to make pr

This nation has absorbed behaviors reminiscent of pagan Gentiles, surpassing them in decadence due to its affluence. Such behaviors include overindulgence, marked by revelry and drunkenness, which lead to disorder and sensuality. Additionally, lewdness and lust manifest as immodest actions and illicit indulgences, prevalent among those who do not know God. Strife and envy further characterize this lack of self-control, fostering contention and intense passions that degrade attitudes and relationships. These tendencies mirror the pagan practices of old, where unrestrained behavior was common, and stand in stark contrast to the call for purity and holiness among God's people. Moreover, spiritual immorality, akin to adultery, emerges when individuals are enticed by teachings contrary to God's will, such as those from Far Eastern and Native American religions. These pagan influences, often promoted in media like children's movies and cartoons with themes of the circle of life, yin yang, reincarnation, spirit guides, and dream catchers, pose a risk of spiritual unfaithfulness. Witchcraft, growing rapidly among young women in schools, further exemplifies this trend. It is imperative to guard against such influences to maintain spiritual purity and honor the sanctification that God desires for His followers.