1 Corinthians 6:10

[paradiseinn]

nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God


this scares me because I struggle with excesive drinking.
what exactly does drunkard mean?

[TEITZY]

It means exactly what it says :)

In context it's talking about those who "practice" sin (see Gal 5:21). In other words, these sins characterize the life of that person. There is no change in the pattern of sinful living which is a hallmark of true salvation (see verse 11). So if you claim to be saved but still drink (or get drunk) just as much as you did before, there is something defective about your faith (ie. it is not a saving faith). It's certainly not saying that true Christains can't commit those sins, but rather that these sins are not characteristic of the lives of true believers.

Cheers
Leigh

[BroRog]

nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God


this scares me because I struggle with excesive drinking.
what exactly does drunkard mean?

A drunkard is someone who uses alcohol to engage in a useless or profitless activity in order to waste time, deaden the pain, or escape the harshness of reality. Alcohol is but one past time with this characteristic. I'm sure many here can think of other ways that we waste valuable time.

Texting comes to mine. :rolleyes:

The Bible warns us against dissipation. Paul, for example, says that we need to "redeem the time for the days are evil." Jesus warns us to stay sober, and stay alert because we never know exactly when he will come.

But the essential thing that Jesus and the Apostles want to say to us about this is to not give up. Don't give up. Don't lose heart. Keep going. Stay with it. It will all be worth it in the end.

If you struggle with excessive drinking, realize that you aren't trapped. You aren't alone. And you can change.

[Slug1]

nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God


this scares me because I struggle with excesive drinking.
what exactly does drunkard mean?I boil it down to this... the enemy has placed alcohol before you to take your problems away instead of you placing your problems at the feet of Jesus. The enemy wants you to use alcohol for help instead of Jesus for help. One continues to keep you under satans thumb and his destructive ways of keeping you away from Jesus... who heals you, increasing your faith, thus puts trust in God as He takes the struggles away.

That is why those words are found in the Bible cause some people need to be scared... it's an extreme form of conviction when the Holy Spirit uses such words to "wake" a person up to the truth.

[livingwaters]

:spin::spin::ppJust know, that OUR LORD, JESUS can and will deliver you from the alcohol if that is your TRUE desire!!!!! :pray::pray:You have GOT to want to stop!!!! Do your part, HE WILL DO HIS!!!! Amen...HE did it for me, and HE is no respecter of persons!!! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Maybe you could read my testamony when you get a chance. If you click on my user name, livingwaters, under my profile, there is a link to my testamony. Best wishe....Give it to Jesus!!!!!:pp:pp

[paradiseinn]

Beer has got me, it has had me for a long time...every night at least 5 beers. I can quit on my own. My grandpa did it. My dad did it. I'm putting it off though. I know I can quit but I keep doing it. I feel like this addiction owns me.

I have a question,
Even though I keep putting it off, I know that soon I will quit.
If I was to die before I quit, Do you think I will be with God?
I think there is a 50/50 chance of me making it to Heaven....i dunno :dunno:
sometimes I don't think about what Im doing. I know that my relationship with God has gotten distant.....because of me. Will the Holy Spirit leave me soon if it has'nt already?
I know what I'm doing is wrong, I feel guilty. I am abusing grace, I'm living in sin lately.
I've been looking at porn, smoking and drinking lately.YUCK!
I can't see God taking me if I was to die right now.
I have'nt been confessing because I know that I will go back to these sins again. YIKES, I'm a basket case.

[Rookie78]

Beer has got me, it has had me for a long time...every night at least 5 beers. I can quit on my own. My grandpa did it. My dad did it. I'm putting it off though. I know I can quit but I keep doing it. I feel like this addiction owns me.

I have a question,
Even though I keep putting it off, I know that soon I will quit.
If I was to die before I quit, Do you think I will be with God?
I think there is a 50/50 chance of me making it to Heaven....i dunno :dunno:
sometimes I don't think about what Im doing. I know that my relationship with God has gotten distant.....because of me. Will the Holy Spirit leave me soon if it has'nt already?
I know what I'm doing is wrong, I feel guilty. I am abusing grace, I'm living in sin lately.
I've been looking at porn, smoking and drinking lately.YUCK!
I can't see God taking me if I was to die right now.
I have'nt been confessing because I know that I will go back to these sins again. YIKES, I'm a basket case.

God can and will forgive you of your past sins and help you to overcome your addictions. But you must be repentent. You must have faith that God will help you. If you feel you don't have enough faith, ask God to give you more faith.
First get rid of all the alcohol in you house, show God that you really mean to quit! Don't hang out with people who drink since it is such a temptation for you or if you must, let them know you're trying to fight an addiction and ask if they would please refrain. I know it will be tough but I believe you can do it with God's help!

I will pray for your success!

[HisLeast]

this scares me because I struggle with excesive drinking.
what exactly does drunkard mean?

I would say a drunkard is someone who continually engages in drunkenness. Is this what you mean by "excessive drinking"? If so, then perhaps a little fear is warranted. The good news is that you fear the Lord, and that's the first step on the way to repentance and righteous living.

As for me, I fear because my heart is hardwired for lust. If I don't fear the consequences of lust, how will I ever repent from it?

[paradiseinn]

Thanks guys:thumbsup:

[paradiseinn]

hey a question,
I know the Bible say's drunkards won't make it to heaven, but also that the unforgivable sin is rejecting the Holy Spirit. So would'nt being a drunk be forgiveable? I mean as long as the person is'nt embraceing that lifestyle.
maybe a struggling person will be forgiven? Then, what does God see as struggling? Maybe God will see it as them embraceing it?

I don't know....I think I'm struggling, I don't want to keep doing it.
But right now I know that tonight I will drink. Does this sound like a saved
person to you? I am ashamed about this. God knows what I'm doing, I know what I'm doing. I know that someday I will quit.....I feel like I'm not ready to quit yet...I'm still looking at porn too....I've prayed and asked God to please be patient with me....I want to become the man he wants me to be, but i'm really dragin my feet on this
I feel like a fake christian.
I feel like I can't even call myself a christian, I feel more like a believer.
The demons believe in God what makes me any differant?:sad::no:

[Rookie78]

hey a question,
I know the Bible say's drunkards won't make it to heaven, but also that the unforgivable sin is rejecting the Holy Spirit. So would'nt being a drunk be forgiveable? I mean as long as the person is'nt embraceing that lifestyle.
maybe a struggling person will be forgiven? Then, what does God see as struggling? Maybe God will see it as them embraceing it?

I don't know....I think I'm struggling, I don't want to keep doing it.
But right now I know that tonight I will drink. Does this sound like a saved
person to you? I am ashamed about this. God knows what I'm doing, I know what I'm doing. I know that someday I will quit.....I feel like I'm not ready to quit yet...I'm still looking at porn too....I've prayed and asked God to please be patient with me....I want to become the man he wants me to be, but i'm really dragin my feet on this
I feel like a fake christian.
I feel like I can't even call myself a christian, I feel more like a believer.
The demons believe in God what makes me any differant?:sad::no:

Paradise, when you do such things, you grieve His Holy Spirit and each time your heart becomes a little more hardened.

You need to have love and compassion for all that God has done for you. If a man truelly loves his wife, will he cheat on her?

Say you have a friend who you talked into joining the army. He reluctantly agrees, even though he has a wife and kids, times are tough and both of you haven't found jobs in a while. Soon enough, both of you get sent off to a war/battle on the other side of the world and in the midst of fighting, an enemy throws a grenade right in your trench with your friend. Your friend, acting quickly, turns to you and says "Please take care of my family!" and throws himself on the grenade, saving you and your other close allies. What would you do for this man's family? You would do all that you could. You might even tell your other allies that this man wanted his family taken care of so that they could help you help them.

The point is, Jesus saved you and you are not doing what he would like. This is on a much grander scale than the example above, but I tell it to illustrate a point. Jesus died because of you and everyone else.

I think that you need to get out of your house, to a hotel maybe, away from all that temptation, and recommit yourself to God, pray that He forgive your sins, naming them out loud, and ask that His Holy Spirit will convict you of your sins so that you can repent.

[paradiseinn]

rookie,
I was afraid of that post and I had a feeling it was coming. I feel conviction for my sins. I am afraid of my heart becoming hardened, really afraid. I know that i'm not being loyal to God. Right now I've been drinking....Thank you for the post, rep. points to you. I, honestly am a drunkard. I have a 4yr old girl and I want her to know God and follow Jesus....I need to be the example. Thank you again for the awsome post.
Brian

[turtledove]

rookie,
I was afraid of that post and I had a feeling it was coming. I feel conviction for my sins. I am afraid of my heart becoming hardened, really afraid. I know that i'm not being loyal to God. Right now I've been drinking....Thank you for the post, rep. points to you. I, honestly am a drunkard. I have a 4yr old girl and I want her to know God and follow Jesus....I need to be the example. Thank you again for the awsome post.
Brian

paradiseinn, you need the help of a good support group which can give you what an internet forum likes ours cannot give. Folks here are mainly those who have been freed, are in recovery, or are truly seeking recovery. We share from God's Word and our own stories. Most of us are not professionals. And, of course, we can pray for you.

If you are going to a church you might be able to find help there since many of them have support groups for various kinds of addictions,such as Celebrate Recovery or there you can also seek pastoral counseling. Some even have counseling centers for people with various problems. If you are not in fellowship; it is important that to find a church in which, not only can you seek help and fellowship, but where you can worship God.

Rest assured of God's mercy and compassion for you..but you need to seek help. Those of us who have been where you say you are know full well of His mercy, forgiveness, and restoration.

This scripture is on my heart for you today. :pray: I mean it not as preaching but simply share it with you so to help you pray as it says:



Psalm 130:2 NIV (http://www.tnivbible.com/bible/passagesearch.php?passage_request=Psalm 130:2&niv=yes)
O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

Your sister in Christ,

[DaniHansen]

Brian,

when we isolate ourselves and make it our "own" battle, then we leave ourselves open to doing our own thing according to our own feelings and excuses. If we're really honest with ourselves (and I know this because I've been there), sometimes we don't really want deliverance, we just want to stop feeling guilty but not really give up what we're doing, because we quite enjoy it, and we're scared of what's going to happen if we leave it behind. It's important that we learn to drill it down to "what do I really want?" because that is what God actually hears, and then take our praying from that spot of honesty and go from there. And when we leave a crutch behind, our feet and ankles may protest at first because they're not used to carrying the weight, but they will get stronger and be able to carry us. It's just important that we don't exchange one crutch for another, but let our support system be God, and our walk with Him.

I would encourage you to find a local support group with men that understand where you're at, and can be of support to you. It's all good and well to read internet posts, it's another thing altogether to actually hear somebody's voice, and talk to them face to face.

[livingwaters]

Brain,

Please get serious with your life, especially, to give your 4 yr. old the upbringing she deserves..you know, God gives us our children "on loan," as blessings....don't waste it....God always does HIS part, now, it's our part that's the problem...see, we have to surrender all, just like the song says. Satan will always help you justify your sins and convince you to put off the "God thing," you know!!! But, just know, that what our Lord did for us at Calvary should convince us to throw ourselves at HIS mercy at all times. We should thank and paise HIM with every breath....let us not take for granted what Jesus did for us. But, just to let you know, HE CAN DELIVER YOU FROM ANY ADDICTION!!!!! However, you have to be sincere with HIM, cause, after all, you can't fool HIM!!! HE deals "in HEARTS!!" Amen.

When the adversary says, "give in," just hold on, our Lord will show up, yeah, HE will take you through valley, again....YES!!!!

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7


Put this up somewhere so you can see it at all times:

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn201/cherylhebert/passion%20of%20Christ/Jesus.gifhttp://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn201/cherylhebert/passion%20of%20Christ/33.jpg

Brian, I will pray that you give this problem to the Lord so HE can show you what power HE really has....don't underestimate HIM or HIS love!!!!:hug::hug:

[baxpack7]

Paradise, I think what we might have here is a self-esteem issue. You need not fear:
:bible:
2 Tim 1:7 (http://bibledatabase.org/cgi-bin/bib_search/bible.cgi?BIBLE=48&BOOK=55&CHAP=1&SEARCH=jesus%20king%20lord&Read=Read&FIRST=OK&HV=7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.:amen:
Also remember that Jesus died on the cross and was triumphantly raised from the dead 3 days later. He died for our sins and if we're repentant, then all is forgiven.
Eph 2:5 (http://bibledatabase.org/cgi-bin/bib_search/bible.cgi?BIBLE=48&BOOK=49&CHAP=2&SEARCH=jesus%20king%20lord&Read=Read&FIRST=OK&HV=5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) :thumbsup:
It's that grace that saves us from ourselves.:pp
May God bless you sir, in your journey

[Cheyenne]

The thing I believe we forget is ... that God's word is like a mirror to us ... it shows that we are sinful ... and it shows how insidious our sins are ... but sometimes we forget that when we keep seeking God ... and know that He gave his Son Jesus as the way ... and we continually keep our eyes on Him ... the chains of bondage can be broken. And sometimes we need intercessory prayers from others to help lift us up ... and need to pray fervently ourselves. Now ... I also need this type of thing for my own strong holds ... mine is smoking triggered by narcissistic abuse. I need to learn to pray more for others and myself ... and wish that others would pray for me. I hear so many times of people being set free from bondage because they had a praying Mamma. So lets learn to pray for other's bondage as well as our own.

Dear Heavenly Father ... we come to you in Jesus name. We are here on this thread struggling with strongholds ... please give us the desire to (first) want "to want" to leave our addictions ... and please break these chains of bondage that hold us captive.

Please open our eyes and change our hearts and give us the strength to endure the process and consequence while these chains are being broken.

Please Lord ... let us come together where two or more are gathered in agreement and prayer ... and it shall be done.

We Love you Lord ... in Jesus name we pray Amen

Our God is an Awesome God He reigns from Heaven above!:pp

[Brendac]

hey a question,
I know the Bible say's drunkards won't make it to heaven, but also that the unforgivable sin is rejecting the Holy Spirit. So would'nt being a drunk be forgiveable? I mean as long as the person is'nt embraceing that lifestyle.
maybe a struggling person will be forgiven? Then, what does God see as struggling? Maybe God will see it as them embraceing it?

I don't know....I think I'm struggling, I don't want to keep doing it.
But right now I know that tonight I will drink. Does this sound like a saved
person to you? I am ashamed about this. God knows what I'm doing, I know what I'm doing. I know that someday I will quit.....I feel like I'm not ready to quit yet...I'm still looking at porn too....I've prayed and asked God to please be patient with me....I want to become the man he wants me to be, but i'm really dragin my feet on this
I feel like a fake christian.
I feel like I can't even call myself a christian, I feel more like a believer.
The demons believe in God what makes me any differant?:sad::no:

You are beginning to sound rather negative and almost as though you have given up.

I used to smoke and drink and alcohol really had a tremendous hold on me. The only advice that i can give you is to renew your mind with the Word of God. as we begin to wash our minds with the Word we begin to change and our desires begin to change. It certainly took a long time for me, however, you need to keep your focus on the Lord and each time you do something you feel is wrong, thank the Lord that by faith He has set you free.

A wonderful way to also start getting into the Word is something one of our pastors told us a while ago - when you wake up read three verses; just before breakfast read three scriptures before you pray over your food. Do the same at lunch time and supper time and again before you go to bed. You will be amazed at how much Word you actually land up reading in one day and it is amazing at just how the Word changes our thinking and our lives.

Read Psalm 34, prayerfully, in the Message Bible - He sets us so free!
Philippians 4:8 "... think on these things" is an absolute shield for our minds. Change your thinking and begin thinking according to Phil 4:8.

Remember in the end whatever you feed your mind with is what is going to come out. Whatever you meditate on day and night is what is going to eventually come out of your mouth. Begin to feed on the Word and victory will eventually begin to come out of your mouth and be evident in your life.

I know that it is difficult, but hang in there and get your focus off the problems and onto the Lord who sets us free! I did and He certainly set me free in a wonderful way!!

Father we thank you right now that your Word says "whom the Son has set free is free indeed" and we thank you right now that you are putting the desire in Paradiseinn's heart to be set free and we thank you that by faith he is indeed set free from the addictions in his life. We thank You for a hunger and thirst in his heart for more and more of You and the desire for intimate relationship with You and we thank You for this in the precious name of Jesus!

[gotjunk]

Wiseold owl gave you some good advice paradiseinn. I would also encourage you to find a support group and invest in the fellowship of a church. Take this from an alcoholic 15 years sober.

[paradiseinn]

I'm ready to quit. I'm on day 2 of no beer. I tried to quit drinking in october and made it 2 weeks. It feels different this time I feel like I will do better this time. I have been praying alot more everyday, I spend more time with God now. The drinking was seperating me from God, it was my "idol". I want to serve God, not an "idol". This hasn't been easy, it's tough.
God is with me on this.

[baxpack7]

We are always encouraged by the successes of the people who post here in this forum, and your last post is no exception.
I ask that you continue to stay close to God and He will continue to lead you.

As always, we will also continue to pray for your continued success.
May God bless you my friend.

[paradiseinn]

Thank you everybody for your replies and prayers

[JesusMySavior]

I think there is a 50/50 chance of me making it to Heaven....i dunno :dunno:



"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

You can't make it to heaven. You can receive the free gift of eternal life which is from God.


We sin because we have a fallen nature. We're born with the deck stacked against us. We have a partiality to our flesh. That's just our condition. God knows this. It's precisely the reason He sent Jesus Christ, His only Son(!!!), to die in our place. But when God comes to live in us, those worldly things grow strangely dim and we begin to love and embrace Christ, our Savior. But sometimes, unknown to me, it's an amazing and upsetting mystery, we end up running back to our quick fixes that we renounced when we decided to follow Christ.

I still struggle with porn from time to time. I hate it. When it comes on, it comes on strong. But yet I've done everything I can to block out of my life. Filters on the internet, the TV, and I recently sold most of my DVD collection (not porn, never had them, just regular dvds). Am I perfect? Nope. But compared to 2 years ago when I was in a backslidden lifestyle, I'm doing hundreds of times better.

By blocking the entryways, I have determined and purposed in my heart to not give it a foothold in my life. Ultimately it's still up to me; but this is a gigantic step in the right direction. You can call it "radical amputation". Are you struggling with alcohol? Get it out of your house. If that's too extreme, only allow yourself 2 beers a day; get someone that will keep you accountable. Are you married? Give your wife your checkbook and don't carry cash, so you don't buy more. Sound extreme? The excuses roll on. What happens if you run out of gas? What if you get hungry on the way home from work? What if a giant ostrich in a volkswagen needs your help fixing a flat and has no money and you want to help him? God will honor your decisions. He has a way of working things out like that.

What you need to do is ask yourself if the alcohol is more important than Jesus Christ. If it's holding you back, give it up. If you can't give it up, ask God to help you give it up. If you're still struggling, just hang in there and keep praying. Get an accountability partner. Remember 1 Jn. 3:20 - "if our hearts condemn us, Beloved, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things", and once you realize that, 1 Jn 3:21 says "if our hearts condemn us not, then we have confidence before God and His throne". It's a win-win proposition. Receive God's mercy and let Him tackle this thing for you. :)

[DaniHansen]

You already have authority over sin. Jesus gave that to you.

What you do with it, is up to you, no?

Looks like that's finally dawning on you though, and so good for you. :pp

[paradiseinn]

The Holy Spirit is working in me, something is happening to me. I don't think or care to much about Beer and cigarettes anymore. I still might have a couple of cigs here and there but it's not a habit anymore(2 in a day every couple days) The same with drinking(I might drink here and there, but not everyday), the point is something is happening to me and I know it's God.

I've been praying more and giving God more of my time, He is very active in my life. The way I look at it is, the drinking took time away from me. That is time that I should give to God. The beer was and is still sometimes an idol. I've made progress and I know God will be patient with me because he see's that I am trying to change and that I really want to change.:pray: