Bible Discussion Thread

Can anyone offer advice??? Someone I know has been struggling with a Vape Addiction for years! He has asked God to remove it from him. Has even surrendered himself to the Lord and has GIVEN this thing to Him, BUT, keeps FAILING. And he goes right back to it. He feels like h is cursed with this like Paul had a thorn in his side, he tells me! What can he do to see and experience TOTAL Freedom? He knows that if he continues, it will send him to Hell, or even left behind when the Rapture takes place! What can I advise him to do? Any Biblical suggestions?

Hello Pastortim2017. I know, some 'sins' are difficult to throw off, and certainly 'vaping' can be included in there, whether one actually considers it sinful or not; yet being addicted to an unhealthy slew of substances that destroys the body which is no longer his own, is indeed sinful. This person seems quite serious about throwing off this habit and has even earnestly sought the Lord's Help - very commendable. But when 'push comes to shove', we have to admit that when we sin, there is a strong element of fondness for that sin and this has to be removed. No doubt, vaping still gives him pleasure, which makes it all the harder for him, in spite of his earnest resolutions to quit, and yet, the Lord sometimes allows us to continue in such spiritual turmoil for a season, until the release from it becomes truly liberating with great joy.

There would be many suggestions (both from medical fraternities and govt authorities) to help such folk getting on the path of abstinence. And these could well be useful, but unless the Lord is in it to guide & encourage his child to get into the place of freedom and victory, there can sometimes be regressing into the old habits (which is happening with this person). 1 Corinthians 10:13 is a powerful verse to assure us that God is still with us, in spite of our sense of His absence; that if we are earnest and true to Him, he will make a way of escape as we continue to hold faith in Him under such trial. And I understand this, as the way of escape is available, but to get to it & into freedom might well take time & preparation (and this probably means in his case, really coming to terms with the comfort he gets in the habit & finding it repulsive).

To me, it seems he knows it's wrong and keeping him from knowing God's Presence & Assurance, but the pull of the habit is more compelling. With the Lord's Help, he would need to seek His Face for ways or people that would turn his focus away from vapes onto truly satisfying pursuits.

Dear friend Pastortim2017. On my journey with Jesus these comparable things have emerged. The human brain is a somewhat complicated thing. And it is serious for the person concerned. But when your friend came to Jesus he was free, right? The scripture says that we are to remain in the light. Then everyday life comes and oops we are back. You know we have an enemy. And when I look at myself and learn from it. It seems that an old habit simply becomes that, because we let it. That is to say. We must resist, that action, preferably proclaim the name of Jesus. I have no faith that without Jesus' sacrificial blood on Calvary, little happens. We must therefore resist, in His name. We often get preoccupied with other things that pull us away from our new idea. And unfortunately, it can happen completely automatically, it's true. Think about it, how many times have you yourself been hindered from and make a fast for the Lord. To my delight, sometimes you even get visits from people you haven't seen in 10 years. They are hungry. I believe these things also go into it and do His will. For what is God's will if not what we see daily? Joh 6:29 It is the same for everyone. But then we have our own to struggle with. What I have found out is that clearly nothing happens until the person HAS made up his mind. And in Jesus' Name above all other names, (there is a need for understanding, we grow the growth that is from God). Our thoughts keep us in old patterns. The best thing for him is to put the whip away in the evening and be determined. And the morning after, go to a meeting or visit you, for example. Then he can be busy with something else for a few hours. And then afterwards he has to resist, that's where it's critical. Is it possible and do it, be determined and persevere in Jesus' Name. After a few hours it will be forgotten. Just sat and thought about it over the scripture where Jesus walks on the water. John 6:15-21

Immediately they were on land! Wonderful Jesus, love u

Thank you for taking the time to write all of that, addressing my question! I thank you for the comment you made and the advice you gave! It was Biblical! Blessings to you! Pastor Tim.