People are addicted to wine, drugs, pornography, video games, and several enslaving habits. Many celebrities have become hapless victims. Many simple folks are lured into it. Some explore with an attitude that they have strong will power and could shake off any habit. However, the truth is the majority become victims. Even good things used or consumed in excess could be dangerous. There is a Tamil proverb: “Excess consumption of nectar becomes a poison.” Those who are addicted have several afflictions: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?” Also, it, bites like serpent and stings like adder. (Proverbs 23: 29, 32)
1) Woe: People who are addicted will go through distress, grief, and affliction. Family will be in distress. There are spouses who even commit suicide because of torture they face due to addiction of their partners.
2) Sorrow: This is because of loss, disappointment, and misfortune. What they earn, they spend it off in this addiction, resulting in loss. It is not a worthy investment in terms of money or time or energy.
3) Strife: Addiction will lead to Angry and bitter disagreements, arguments, and conflicts. With lack of focus on essentials, trivia becomes supreme that brings conflicts in home and workplace.
4) Complain: These people murmur or grumble about many things. They could never be satisfied or content, hence they keep on complaining. Addiction will demand more than being satisfied. Unsatiated drive will make the groan and moan.
5) Wounds: They experience wounds without cause. There are life-threatening physical ailments, emotional turmoil that upsets relationships, mental tension that causes depression, and heartbreaks.
6) Red Eyes: This indicates anger, distress, and physical ill-health. This also creates loneliness, as friends leave them alone.
7) Bitten and Stung: The result is such people who are addicted will be poisoned in their spirit and attitude. Hence, they do not have aspiration or ambition to progress. Pessimism overwhelms them.
One who sins, becomes slave of sin. (John 8:34)
Am I careful not to be addicted to evil?