Category: Inspired by “Biblical Counseling” by Chuck Smith

The prophet Ezekiel tells us the sin of Sodom started with pride, abundance, idleness, and they neglected the poor and needy. (Ezekiel 16:49-50 NKJV). The term “sodomy,” is the obvious sin of Sodom. But as God looked into these men’s hearts and analyzed Sodom’s sin, He saw its more subtle form, the roots before it bore fruit. 

The problem with homosexual attraction is that it is an attraction to something God calls sin, and any desire for something sinful ultimately stands against the will and word of God.  The pervasive nature of sin causes us to see the world and our own actions through a warped perspective.  Our thoughts, desires, and dispositions are all affected.  So, homosexual attraction does not always result in active, willful sin—there may not be a conscious choice to sin—but it springs from the sinful nature and impulses of the “flesh”. Same-sex attraction is always, on some basic level, an expression of the fallen nature.

There are certain roots of sin that when tolerated will germinate into vile fruit.

Homosexuality and sodomy were the final manifestations of the people’s sins. Their sins of pride had been germinating under the soil for a long time before being manifested in its final form. 

God created the sex drive within us basically to become the highest form of expression of love between a husband and a wife who have pledged themselves exclusively to each other, and through its fruit the procreation and the perpetuation of mankind. It is not designed for one’s own delight or sinful pleasure, but rather a beautiful gift to be shared between a husband and wife. The Bible is very clear that homosexuality is something that is opposed to God. Those who are practicing homosexuality have chosen to live after the flesh rather than to walk in the Spirit. The Bible says it is sin; it is not to be accepted nor tolerated. It is something to be dealt with through repentance and a life surrendered to Jesus. 

None of us are immune from problems with our flesh. There is a battle whether I am going to be controlled by my flesh or allow my spirit to be in subjection and harmony with God’s Spirit. If you regularly attend church and you are engaged in sinful practices, don’t be deceived into thinking that your church attendance is going to cover your sin. If it supersedes your commitment to Jesus Christ, it is all a form of pride and idolatry, and you will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Paul wrote, For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [d]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

“For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.” (Romans 1:18-26 NKJV).

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE	GOD’S PROMISES	MAKE A CHANGE
Gen. 1:27; 2:24; 5:2	1 Corinthians 10:13	1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Leviticus 18:1, 22	2 Peter 2:4-10	Ephesians 4:20-24
Leviticus 20:13	2 Corinthians 5:17
Isaiah 3:9	2 Peter 2:4-10
Matthew 19:4-5
Jude 4-8

	BIBLICAL EXAMPLE
	Genesis 19:4-5; 24-25

Gambling has an addictive capacity. A man can find himself under the dominion of this addiction and under its power so quickly. You see, a person who is involved in sinful practices, such as gambling, is yielding himself as a servant unto sin.

The Bible says, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:12-16 NKJV).

A person who has a gambling addiction yields himself as a servant of Satan. The moment he gives himself over to this sin, he comes under the power of Satan. And once he is under Satan’s power, he will not let go. The power of Satan is greater than a man’s power to resist. Only Jesus Christ can free a man from sin. 

The psalmist very wisely prayed, “Lord, do not let any iniquity have dominion over me” (Psalm 19:13 NKJV). And thus, if there is anything that has the capacity of bringing you under its influence or under its power, it is wise to exercise your liberty to avoid it.

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE	GOD’S PROMISES	MAKE A CHANGE
Proverbs 23:4-5	1 Corinthians 10:13	Luke 12:15
Proverbs 28:22	Hebrews 13:5	Galatians 5:1
Ecclesiastes 5:10		Colossians 3:2,5-7
Matthew 6:24		1 Timothy 6:17
1 Corinthians 6:12
1 Timothy 6:6-10
Proverbs 13:11

Fornication is having sexual relations outside of marriage. The world terms it “making love.” However, it’s not an act of love at all; it’s an act of lust. A person who entices someone else into the act of fornication is selfish since they are not considering the other person, but only thinking about satisfying their own desire. Fornication is a very unloving act, and it is only by Satan’s deception that a person would think of it as an act of love.

To the Christian who commits the sin of fornication, Paul writes, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not!” (1 Corinthians 6:15 NKJV). Jesus took it a step further, “You’ve heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28 NKJV). Jesus looks at the heart—you’re guilty even if you haven’t actually committed fornication. 

You see, if a person goes around lusting in his mind but never actually gives in, that man would be self-righteous. “I’ve never committed adultery. I’ve never committed fornication.” But in his heart, he has. Now if he were to say, “Oh God, I have impure thoughts. God, I’m an unclean man. Help me, God,” he then casts himself on the mercy of God. And in so doing that man will attain the righteousness imputed to Jesus Christ by his faith to overcome those lustful thoughts and live a Christlike life.

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE	GOD’S PROMISES	MAKE A CHANGE
Proverbs 5:20-23	Isaiah 55:7	Acts 15:29
Proverbs 7:4-5	1 John 1:9	1 Corinthians 6:18
Matthew 15:19	Revelation 22:14-15	Ephesians 5:3-5
1 Corinthians 6:9-11		Colossians 3:5-7
Galatians 5:19-21		2 Timothy 2:22
Hebrews 13:4
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

	BIBLICAL EXAMPLE
	Revelation 2:14

Gluttony is a sin that Christians like to ignore.  As we are often quick to categorize smoking and drinking as sins, but for some reason gluttony is accepted and normalized in today’s society. As with smoking and drinking, the Bible is clear that gluttony is equally harmful to a believer’s walk and testimony of Christ.

Many believers would not even consider having a glass of wine or smoking a cigarette but have no qualms about gorging themselves at the dinner table. This should not be!

Proverbs 23:20-21 warns us, “Do not 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.” Proverbs 28:7 (NKJV) declares, “Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father.”

Physical appetites are an analogy of our ability to control ourselves. If we are unable to control our eating habits, we are probably also unable to control other habits, such as those of the mind (lust, covetousness, anger) and unable to keep our mouths from gossip or strife. We are not to let our appetites control us, but we are to have control over our appetites. The ability to say “no” to anything in excess—self-control—is one of the fruits of the Spirit common to all believers “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.” (1 Corinthians 10:23 NKJV)

God has blessed us by filling the earth with foods that are delicious, nutritious, and pleasurable. We should honor God’s creation by enjoying these foods and by eating them in appropriate quantities. God calls us to control our appetites, rather than allowing them to control us.

Paul wrote, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV). What a great bottom line principle this is! If we do not grasp anything else, God help us to grasp this truth. The purpose of our existence is to live for His glory. Let this one question be uppermost in our minds whether we should or shouldn’t do something: Can I do it for the glory of God?

Today maybe you are in the bondage of Gluttony, and it has a hold on your life. You can see it is destroying you, and you’re somehow unable to get free. “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them.” (1 Corinthians 6:12–13 NKJV).  Many times, people foolishly exercise their liberty in doing things that bring them into bondage. Don’t use your liberty as an occasion for the flesh (Galatians 5:13 NKJV), because if you do, it’ll destroy you. Surrender your life over to Jesus and He will set you free from that which is destroying you. More than that, He’ll satisfy your hungry and thirsty soul.

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE	GOD’S PROMISES	MAKE A CHANGE
Proverbs 23:19-21	1 Corinthians 10:13	Proverbs 23:2
Matthew 26:41		Romans 12:1
1 Corinthians 3:16		Corinthians 6:19-20
1 Corinthians 6:12-13		1 Corinthians 9:27
		1 Corinthians 10:31
		Galatians 5:16
		1 Peter 4:1-2

	BIBLICAL EXAMPLE	PRAYER
	Daniel 1:8-14	Philippians 4:13

The word “sorcery” stems from the root word pharmakeia, when we also get the modern term anti-depressants, pharmacy, painkillers and/or prescription drug.

When we find sorcery or witchcraft in the Bible, it refers to the use of drugs for hallucinogenic or mind-altering purposes, like narcotics. God’s law strictly prohibits drug use because when you allow the use of narcotics to reside in your life, it will ultimately destroy you. Narcotics are very insidious.

Among things that Narcotics will negatively affect in a believer’s life are:

• Sanctification process
• Believers will power to resist
• Both personal and social relationships

People can become hooked so quickly. Narcotic abuse then destroys good judgment and sensitivity to right and wrong, and people soon find themselves doing things they would have been appalled and shocked at before. 

One of the most devastating effects of drug abuse is becoming enslaved to the drugs. Satan loves to take a person captive, holding them as a hostage against their will. Paul wrote to Timothy, “that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26 NKJV). Satan does not fight fairly or by the rules. But thank God, Jesus Christ came to set at liberty those who were captive, and to open the prison doors to those who are bound. 

The power of Jesus Christ can break the hold that Satan has upon someone bound by drug addiction, “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus” (Acts 26:18 NKJV).  The power of Jesus Christ can break the hold on someone with drug addiction.  The question is do you want to let it go. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15 NKJV).  The pathway to this freedom is through biblical repentance (Proverbs 28:13 NKJV). That’s what the gospel is all about, freeing people from the power of their bondage.

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE	GOD’S PROMISES	MAKE A CHANGE
Psalm 52:7	Revelation 22:14-15	Ephesians 5:15-18
Ezekiel 18:30-32		1 Corinthians 6:12
Galatians 5:19-21
Revelation 21:6-8

	BIBLICAL EXAMPLE
	Revelation 9:20-21

Depression doesn’t just hurt you; it also hurts everyone around you. There is nothing more depressing than talking to a person who is depressed, sometimes lasting weeks, months, and even years. Everything you suggest that might help, they return with a negative statement and attitude. You do your best to lift them up out of it, but it seems they have brought you down instead. But there is a cure. 

When we’re miserable and think despairing and hopeless thoughts, we can literally dig our own grave. But by setting our minds upon the Lord, we come into a whole new state of consciousness. No longer one of total despair and hopelessness, but one of victory and hope. And that’s what Jeremiah did. He changed his thought patterns from, “Oh, woe is me and there’s no one to help me” to thinking, you can get into this self-pity mode very easily by concentrating upon yourself, but as you begin to think about the Lord, it will lift you up right out of the deepest depression.

“Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV).

GOD’S PROMISES	MAKE A CHANGE	BIBLICAL EXAMPLES
Psalm 147:3	Psalm 27:13-14	2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Romans 5:1-5	Psalm 42:5
2 Corinthians 12:10	Proverbs 3:5-6
Ephesians 3:16-19	Romans 12:2
James 1:2-8	1 Corinthians 15:58
	Philippians 4:4-7

Scripture has much to say regarding drinking.  But the Bible is abundantly clear on one thing, drunkenness is a serious sin. With the sins of addiction and drunkenness in mind, and with the need to not stumble others in view, it makes sense to abstain from alcohol entirely.  Paul said, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Corinthians 6:12 NJKV). It is unwise to take anything into your system that can bring you under its power, or “under the influence.” It alters a person’s thinking, and thus their judgment. In addition, alcohol has been proven to damage a person both physically, mentally, and spiritually.

There is a thirst within the spirit that can’t be satisfied with material or emotional things. Only a meaningful relationship with God can satisfy that yearning within. Sometimes people seek to drown this thirst with alcohol. Ironically, all they’re doing is creating a fuzzy mind, so they won’t have to think about it. But when they sober up, the thirst is still there. By turning to the bottle, an alcoholic only creates new problems greater than the first.  

If you will fully surrender your life over to Jesus, He will set you free from that which is destroying you. More than that, He’ll bring you satisfaction; He’ll fill your thirsty soul. Be filled with the Spirit of God and you will find that which your soul and spirit are longing after.

You’re better off not to drink or ingest anything that can bring you under its influence. Live a life that’s completely consecrated and committed to God. The Bible says;

“Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1 NKJV).  

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,” (Ephesians 5:15-18 NKJV)

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE	GOD’S PROMISES	MAKE A CHANGE
Proverbs 20:1	Mathew 26:29	Proverbs 23:17-21
Isaiah 5:11, 22	John 8:36	Luke 21:34-36
Habakkuk 2:15	1 Corinthians 10:13	Romans 13:12-14
Romans 14:21-23	2 Corinthians 5:17	1 Corinthians 5:11
		1 Corinthians 6:19-20
		Ephesians 5:15-18

These writings are inspired by “Biblical Counseling” by Chuck Smith.

Any addiction, whether to alcohol, drugs, prescription medicines, pornography, gambling, cigarettes, or even food, is a form of idolatry. The first commandment is, “You shall not have any other gods before Me.” The second commandment is, “You shall not bow down to them or serve them” (see Exodus 20 NKJV). When a person is addicted, they are really bowing down and serving that addiction as their god. It is the sin of idolatry. They become a slave to it and they are held in bondage. Jesus said, “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34 NKJV).

Paul also said this in Romans: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!  Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:15-16 NKJV)

So many people are dying a slow death because their addiction has a hold on them, almost as if it were demonic; and the only thing that can free a person from this hold is the power of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to open the eyes of those that are blind, and “to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36 NKJV).

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE	GOD’S PROMISES	MAKE A CHANGE
Proverbs 5:22-23	John 8:34-36	Proverbs 23:20-21
1 Corinthians 6:12-13	Romans 8:12-15	Romans 6:1-2
1 Corinthians 9:24-27		Romans 12:1-2
1 Timothy 6:6-10		1 Corinthians 6:19-20
James 1:14-15		2 Corinthians 7:1
1 Peter 4:1-3		1 John 1:8-9
2 Peter 2:19