throw down that crutch and walk!

[Shmanu YAH]

shalom l'kulam, firstly "ALL praises, honor and glory to the Most High YHWH" ~ from where all true knowledge and wisdom is given, ...baruk h'shem YHWH! and never forget "baruka h'bo b'shem YHWH" = blessed your coming the name of YHWH" @ YAHushua".
                                                    I pray all is whole with you or will be soon

In this important and convicting communication I'd like to deal with a issue that may not be so easy to embrace comfortably, ->>> the issue of not responsibly dealing with or even denying addictions<- .....oh oh! The reality of addictions are all around us and not one of us can dare deny it, - the problem for us is: who's gonna address it scriptually and scripturally without fear of verbal retaliation from the masses? .... WE WILL!

Our addictions are part of a "coping mechanism" that we use to comfort ourselves as often as we think we need them, - which unfortunately seems to be daily! One telling definition of addiction is: the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, (as narcotics), to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma. ......~ nuff said!

There can be a multitude of reasons for one's addiction and that normally goes back to some aberration or schism in their life often from various experiences at a young age. It's so sad that the masses don't realize the adversary's (h'shatan's) strategy: to make every human being defiled from the time they come out the womb by causing a mental and spiritual problem in their lives and then luring them into believing they can solve ( but really only pacify ) that problem with a constant fix of carnal fulfillment. Unfortunately as we get older we don't read and embrace with enough sincerity the instruction in James 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to Elohym. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you! ......~ hows that for a addiction kicker?

There are various types of addictions in today's society we use as crutches to mask those deeper issues we've not properly dealt with, and here are a list (some more dangerous than others) of the more notable common bad habits turned addictive:
alcohol, smoking, drug abuse, gambling, stealing, sex addiction, pornography, fame, seeking fortunes, food and sweets addictions, shopping, video games, texting, and some are even addicted to the internet ...( real talk! )

understand: some people have read so many bad things about smoking and drinking, etc. >>> they just STOPPED READING!

These addictions are all futile crutches that many use to hold themselves up, but that in itself speaks to the issue that they are gradually f~a~l~l~i~n~g. Whats worse than that is the fact that it partners with a constant state of spiritual decline as well,.... oh oh! In centuries past the patriarchs used staffs NOT crutches to hold themselves up and staffs as well as prayer to navigate their way through, ...WOW how things have changed!

As pertaining to the addiction of drinking: I'm not be any means suggesting to anyone that every consumption of strong drink is wrong, because it is NOT a sin to drink, - but it is foolish to get drunk ( which unfortunately is why most people drink ).

Here are just a few very old prime examples of the ramifications of drunkeness, >>> In b'reshyth 9:20-25, And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: 21 And he drank of the wine, and was DRUNKEN; and he was uncovered within his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. 23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness. 24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. 25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. ......~ how did the son's wicked opportunity manifest? .....from his Father's drunkeness!

How about that account that happened after YHWH destroyed the cities of the plains? remember what we learned from b'reshyth 19:30-38, And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters. 31 And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth: 32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. 33 And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; AND HE PERCEIVED NOT WHEN SHE LAY DOWN, nor when she arose. 34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. 35 And they made their father drink wine that night also,: and the younger arose, and lay with him; AND HE PERCEIVED NOT WHEN SHE LAY DOWN, nor when she arose. 36 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father. 37 And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day. 38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day ......~ WOW!, talk about a "date rape" drug! ~ but how did Lot's daughters wicked opportunity manifest? .....from their Father's drunkeness!

also we should remember the tragedy that happened in w'yqra / leviticus 10:1-3, And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before YHWH, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from YHWH, and devoured them, and they died before YHWH. 3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that YHWH spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace ......~ many have read this and wondered why these bona fide levites got torched, but if we keep reading in context we will understand through the very next command given from YHWH himself! ->>>

leviticus 10:8-10, And YHWH spake unto Aaron, saying, 9 DO NOT DRINK WINE OR STRONG DRINK, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: 10 And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean .....~ how did the sons of Aaron sinful behaviour manifest? ......from their drunkeness!

 

In today's society most people really don't have a problem admitting if they are physically ill or sick, but they certainly have a major problem admitting they are weak, especially weak enough to facilitate an addiction - it seems to give way to shame. One example pertaining to addictions is how the clown doctors in the medical and mental health fields now make such irresponsible claims such as: alcoholism is a disease, ...wth?
BUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1) If alcoholism is a "disease" why do we run out and purchase the materials needed to disease ourselves?... and why are they being legally sold to us?
2) If alcoholism or drug abuse is a "disease" why do so many civilized societies around the globe diligently seek to be diseased in the first place?
3) If alcoholism or drug abuse is a "disease" why is law enforcement set up to pull people over and give them citations for being "sick"?... is that legal to fine the sick?
4) If alcoholism or drug abuse or stealing is a "disease" why do the courts punish the sick with incarceration?
5) If alcoholism or drug abuse or stealing is a "disease" how come you can be fired and loose your job for coming to work "sick"?
6) If alcoholism or drug abuse is a "disease" how come the sickness can be cured with a behavioural change?
7) If alcoholism or drug abuse or stealing is a "disease" why will the Most High punish those "sick" and or afflicted?
and the list goes on and on...........

In reality we know that proclaiming some addictions as a "disease" is against scripture and only helps the money hungry and career oriented "doctors" in the medical / mental health fields with job security - mainly so they can even legally bill social programs such as medicare and medicaid ( yeah - tell them I said it and will say it again! ).

Reality is and always will be >>> addictions are a sign of weakness, - please read the sign!

 

Now that some addictions have been called out and undressed, lets do what we should do and seek direction from the "good book" as opposed to stagnantly remaining in excuses. ->>>

proverbs 20:1, Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise

proverbs 23:20, Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.

IsaiYah 5:11, Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

ephesians 5:18, And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit

proverbs 6:26, For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life

Romans 6:12-13, Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto Elohym, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto Elohym.

Romans 8:8-9, So then they that are in the flesh cannot please Elohym. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Elohym dwell in you.

Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of Elohym, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto Elohym, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Elohym

1st Corinthians 5:9-11, I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

1st Corinthians 6:12-13, All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Master; and the Master for the body.

1st Corinthians 6:18-20, Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of Elohym, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify Elohym in your body, and in your spirit, which are Elohym’s.

1st Corinthians 9:27, But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1st Corinthians 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but Elohym is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

2nd Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if any man be in h'mashiach, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new

Colossians 3:2, "IF" ye then be risen with h'mashiach, seek those things which are above, where h'mashiach sitteth on the right hand of Elohym. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Titus 3:3-4, For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

psalms 101:3, I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me

James 1:13-15, Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of Elohym: for Elohym cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

James 4:7-8, Submit yourselves therefore to Elohym. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to Elohym, and he will draw nigh to you.Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Without a doubt various addictions has put us and kept us in bondage and that's never a good thing going forward. When the children of Yisrael found themselves in bondage in Egypt, it was the father YHWH that told Moshe to tell pharoh whats recorded in exodus / shmote 9:1, YHWH said unto Moses, "Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith YHWH Elohy of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me". .......- there was a very important purpose for freedom then AND now ->>> because to properly worship the Most High the way he deserves, we CANNOT be in bondage physically or spiritually! ...but at least they knew and admitted they were in bondage and professed what strongman was binding them, ( have you? ). Now here comes that modern day imposing question: have you honestly separated from your addiction / bondage so you can properly worship YHWH? .....well?

        No matter which addiction you may have in your life, there is always a way out "IF" you want it.

We should remind ourselves of the old story about the man who broke his leg, So he went to a new unknown carpenter ( hint, hint ) that he was advised to seek out and got himself a crutch to lean on. Time passed and the man did not know his leg had healed so he kept on using the crutch for something to lean on. One day that crutchmaker came to the village where the man lived and told him to trust him and get off that crutch and walk. The man threw down his crutch and walked straight! - now he only leans on the healing, ....selah. ( please apply as necessary )

It is written that the Most High YHWH is our true strong tower - which is much better than any crutch, therefore we should take refuge by walking straight in him and leaning on that reality "if" we really believe it, ~ a few scriptural references:

Psalms 18:2, YHWH is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my EL, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalms 61:3, For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

Proverbs 18:10, The name of YHWH is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

now we can all read these passages and wax sentimental all we want, BUT - whats really your comfort and strong tower in THIS hour? ......can you finally put down that crooked crutch and "walk the walk" and not just "talk the talk"? ~ will you at least seriously try?, We have to be introspective and honest enough with ourselves to admit: our bodies don't addict our minds in the first place, but our minds / hearts get our bodies addicted, so it's OUR responsibility to free our minds / hearts through our relationship with h'mashiach ( also read John 8:36 ).

Now lets look at a verse pertaining to a promise of reward to those that overcome temptations such as addictions after being tested and tested time and again, in James 1:12 we read, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Master hath promised to them that love him. ......~ can't beat that with a stick, ->>> NOT EVEN A CRUTCH!

Do you actually think that our mashiach Yahushua was just talking to hear himself talk or was only talking to those in that particular synagogue at that particular time when he quoted what was written in IsaiYah 61:1 as we learned from Luke 4:18, ".....The Spirit of the Master YHWH is upon me, because YHWH hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised" ......~ if you think "proclaiming liberty to the captives" and "opening prisons to the bound" only means letting folks out of penal institutions, then maybe you really need to close your scripture and earnestly pray for the fuller understanding before you open the books back up!, because we all should know by now that being in mental / psychological prison is much more damaging to the soul than being physically incarcerated. ( so why resist Yahushua's desire to get you un-addicted? )

I've learned through life experiences that addictions will makes us slaves, and worse than that - most people are slaves to their fears, meaning: even our fears have become a addiction! .....what a vicious cycle!

So again lets read Romans 12:2 with serious intention, And be NOT conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may PROVE what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of Elohym. ......~ there's your call for Jubilee!!!.

think: If the truth shall make us free, then how can we be in bondage to anything??? ( re-read John 8:32 and Romans 6:18 ).

Last question: is the will of the Most High more important to you than your addictions aka futile comfort crutch? ....we'll see.

( and more than us, he's certainly watching! )

selah and shalom

[Kepha]

Throw Down that Crutch #GetOutTheDamnHouse and live life #StigmaFree

[Abiymelek]

All I can say wow! Thanks brother for sharing this we as Israel need to hear this, and make no excuse nor try to justify our actions. For every problem their is a solution. I know addictions can defintely be overcome by fasting and prayer. These are the messages we including myself need to hear. Most not all want to hear messages as to who we are and not how we truly need to be living a set apart life in YAH.

[Ahkdah Ben Israel]

I just want to state very powerful message thank you ShmanuYah I just say I am still a work in progress of Yah I am everyday watching myself to not think evil thoughts of this world I pray everyday the Yah protect me from evil so I don.t sin I am trying very hard todah Ahkee for this message one love Ahkdah