(Video available Thursday, December 14)

Very interesting statistics (from Goliath Must Fall):

• Seventy-eight percent of teens check their phones at least hourly. Sixty-nine percent of parents do so.

• Seventy-two percent of teens feel they must respond immediately to texts and social networking messages. Forty-eight percent of parents do so.

• Teens and parents admit to sleeping with their phones, using them during meals while others are present with them, and feeling anxiety when they are separated from their phones. More than half of the parents surveyed confessed to checking their phones while driving and said they very often or occasionally try to spend less time on their phones.

• Half of the teens surveyed said they are addicted to their phones, and more than a quarter of parents admitted to addiction. To phones.

Anything that causes the pleasure sensors in our brains to be activated, whether a behavior or a substance, has the potential to cause us to be addicted. I watched several videos about this when I did some training with Teen Challenge, and I was very interested in how the addiction process works.

That little “ding” on our phones, or the little notification number that nags at us from our screen, can trigger a blast of dopamine to be released in our brains. This is the “feel good” chemical linked to happiness. This reaction is similar to the way our brain responds to cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, sugar, gambling, pornography, overeating, spending money, or receiving approval from others. When we get a taste of that “feel good feeling,” our brains say, “I want some more of that!”

In time, it takes more and more of the substance or action to bring about the same response in our brains, and that is why our addictions only grow and get worse. Eventually, an addiction can completely take over our lives and become our master.

The former husband of a very close friend of mine eventually gave up his home, wife, job, and children for the sake of “the bottle.” Alcohol had so consumed his life that he was willing to lose everything to this idol.

While his situation is extreme, his addiction began as simply as anyone else’s who first gave in to the pleasure sensor of their brains. No one sets out to get addicted on purpose. No one chooses at once to surrender their lives over to an addictive behavior or substance. It is the little choices that accumulate over time that put us on this path.  This friend’s example represents the end result of such choices.

Every single human being has the potential to become addicted and to eventually allow sin to have mastery over their lives. Romans  6:14 says that “Sin shall no longer be your master.”

Interestingly, I remember growing up in a church that taught about the dangers of being addicted to smoking, drinking, or doing drugs, but the majority of church members were suffering the affects of food addiction and obesity. They didn’t understand that they were just as addicted as the ones to whom they were pointing fingers.

What is even more dangerous about addiction is that it becomes an idol in our lives anytime we allow a substance or behavior to take Christ’s place on the throne of our hearts. We are commanded to not have any idols, but when we turn to a substance for comfort or to zone out instead of going to Christ, we have put that “idol” before Him.

Another aspect of addiction is the act of hiding our shame. We feel exposed, and we often turn to a substance or behavior to relieve the anxiety of being “found out.” It is like the false covering Adam and Eve wove out of leaves to hide their shame of nakedness from God. However, it wasn’t until they confessed and were real before God that He could provide a true covering for them. Ultimately, the only cure for this sin condition is the price Jesus paid for us on the cross. He covers us in His righteousness and makes us completely whole.

In addition to hiding our vulnerability, we often add approval addiction to our list of addictions. We have such a need to be accepted by others, even to extreme of putting it before God’s approval.

But, that is not to be. We are to be God-pleasers, not man-pleasers.

 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29 ESV

Here is how to be free: When you are weak, turn to Christ for strength, rather than trying to cover up your weaknesses with an addiction. Go to Christ when you are tempted and allow Him to direct you to a way out. Accept His strength and receive His grace.

Understand also that the sooner you turn the addiction or weakness over to Christ, the less it has a chance to consume you and sap your strength. As Barney Fife says, “Nip it! Nip it in the bud!” Meaning, take care of the problem early rather than allowing it to grow and take control.

Don’t expect this to be easy. God may not remove your weakness completely because it is what makes you realize your need for Him. Just as when Paul begged God to remove the thorn from his flesh, God’s answer was always “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Not only can you receive all the strength you need from Christ, but we can also draw strength from each other. Choose carefully and be sure you have found a safe confidante, and then risk being vulnerable so that we can pray for and support each other.

In more extreme cases, this outside strength we need may come from a counselor, rehab facility, or other professional help, but if that is what you need, by all means, do what you need to be free! Just remember that Christ is always the first place to go for help.

Learn to recognize potential addictive behaviors and/or substances before they become addictions, and Nip it in the bud!

What is Coming Up at Heart to Heart?

1. Live Advent videos – Four Sundays leading up to Christmas, December 3, 10, 17, and 24, (5:00 PM Easter/2:00 PM Pacific): We will have a devotion, traditional candle lighting, and something special each week to make this Christmas season more joyful and Christ-centered. These will take place on Shari Lewis Ministries Facebook page.
2. In-depth study of the book of Genesis, beginning January 15: We will study the book, The Promised One (A 10-week Bible Study): Seeing Jesus in Genesis, by Nancy Guthrie.

 Week 6 Assignments

1. Watch my video for Week 6 (available on Thursday).
2. Read pp. 95-110 in the study guide and do one or all of the activities. Have fun with these!
3. Optional: Read chapters 7-9 of the companion book, Goliath Must Fall (white book).
4. Participate in a small group at Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study on Facebook. See pinned post for directions and schedule.

Week 6 Discussion Questions

Here is a sneak peek of the questions we will be discussing this week in our small groups.

“Anger is not wrong. But if anger is uncontrolled, stuffed, misplaced, or given full vent, then anger can do us a lot of harm. Scripture is clear that anger is a giant that can shut down God’s possibility for our lives. If we’re not careful, our anger will burn somebody else’s life down. We can also count on this: unchecked anger is definitely going to burn our lives down too.” ~Louie Giglio, Goliath Must Fall, p. 144

QUESTION 1: Of the five smooth stones we learned about last week for controlling anger, one of the most powerful and important ones is the stone of forgiveness. How can we forgive someone who has hurt us terribly, and all we really want to do is hurt them back? How can we get past this hurt and anger?

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV

QUESTION 2: The cause of addiction is pain. How should we deal with pain instead of numbing it with an addiction? Why is it so attractive to deal with our pain through an addiction instead?

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

QUESTION 3: Just as Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness and their shame with leaves, and Saul tried to cover David’s small size and vulnerability with his armor, what are some situations that tempt us to put on false armor to protect our vulnerability? Why do we try to hide our weaknesses, or our true selves?

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV

QUESTION 4: When we are feeling weak, we will find our strength in Jesus. So, why do we so often resist going to Him first? Why is it often so hard for us to do?

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

QUESTION 5: Why is it essential to tell trusted friends about our addictions or weaknesses and to get their support in breaking free? How do you know if someone is a safe person with whom to confide about our addictions?

You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3 ESV

QUESTION 6: How is an addiction similar to having a false idol?

Reading Schedule

• November 6-12, Week 1: “Dead but Still Deadly” 
  • Study Guide pp. 11-26 | (optional) Companion book, chapters 1-2
• November 13-19, Week 2: “Fear Must Fall”
  • Study Guide, pp. 27-42 | (optional) Companion book, chapter 3
• November 20-26, Week 3: “Rejection Must Fall” (HAPPY THANKSGIVING!)
  • Study Guide, pp. 43-60 | (optional) Companion book, chapter 4
• November 27-December 3, Week 4: “Comfort Must Fall”
  • Study Guide, pp. 61-76 | (optional) Companion book, chapter 5
• December 4-10, Week 5: “Anger Must Fall”
  • Study Guide, pp. 77-94 | (optional) Companion book, chapter 6
• December 11-17, Week 6: “Addiction Must Fall”
  • Study Guide, pp. 95-110 | (optional) Companion book, chapters 7-9
• December 18-24, Catch Up Week
  • Small groups: Wrap up study

How This Works

1. If you have not done so already, please register by leaving your name and email address below.
2. Purchase the study book and companion book (optional).
3. Subscribe to this site to receive future updates by email. Enter your email address in the field to the right, and then click the subscribe button.
4. Join our closed Facebook group, Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study, for weekly interaction, activities, videos, and small group sessions. Closed means that no one will be able to see our posts unless they are members of the group. This is for your safety and privacy.
5. Small Groups: See the pinned post at the top of the Facebook group, Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study, for the schedule and instructions. All you need to do is show up at the scheduled day and time, and the discussion will take place underneath the group photo. 
6. Follow my ministry page on Facebook, Shari Lewis Ministries, to stay up-to-date on ministry events and for daily prayers, nuggets of wisdom and encouragement for your life, photos that you are welcome to share, and faith building blog posts to strengthen you in your walk with Christ.

I hope this is an especially blessed week for you as we learn and grow together through God’s Word. Goliath is coming down in every area of our lives! Praise be to God!

I hope to see you in a small group this week!