How the Modern Digital Society is Affecting the Faithful

From the early days of the internet and the social media craze, to the current age of high-tech gadgets and apps, the digital age has completely changed how we interact with one another. And the Church isn’t immune to this vast shift in societal behavior. In fact, addictions to such modern digital tools as online gaming, smartphones, and social media have become rampant among Church members and clergy.

Addictions and the Church have always been closely intertwined. Religion and substance abuse have a long, tangled history. Now, modern addictions such as internet gaming, social media, and smartphone usage have infiltrated the Church and have begun to affect faithful believers’ spiritual life.

Although the exact numbers vary, a survey of 1,500 pastors and church members conducted by the Barna Group showed that 71% of church members said that at least one individual in their church was struggling with an addiction of some kind. Furthermore, the same survey showed that 18% of pastors said they had personally battled with an addiction.

These statistics seem to indicate that the Church is affected by the modern digital society in a major way. With the advent of smartphones, it’s easy to access the internet right from our pocket and become addicted to things like online gaming. Social media can be just as addictive, with its near-constant flow of gossip and trending topics.

The Church can’t afford to take the issue of addiction lightly. It must face the challenges of modern addictions head-on, and develop thoughtful plans to help members find deliverance from harmful behavior. In addition, church leaders must ensure that members are provided with proper education so they can make wise choices.

For the Church to have an impact in the lives of those who are addicted, it must offer more than just words of hope. It must provide tangible outreach and support. Churches can create counseling programs, support groups, and even deny ministry positions to those with a history of addiction. In addition, an individual’s friends and family can provide moral support to help guide them on their journey of sobriety.

The modern digital society has had a tremendous impact on the Church, and addictions are just one of its many negative influences. But if the Church plays its role correctly, it can provide an avenue for change and help its members beat their addictions so that they can lead healthy and productive lives following God’s word.

Modern Digital Society and how the Church is effected by Addictions

Addiction has become an increasingly pervasive issue in today’s modern digital society. With the prevalence of social media, internet access and mobile phones, addiction is a growing problem in many communities, including the Church. With the rise of technology, the Church must now confront the reality of addiction and how it can affect its members and the wider society.

What Are the Implications for the Church?

The rise of technology has had a profound effect on the Church, in both positive and negative ways. For some, it has opened up the possibility of reaching out to people who may otherwise be reluctant to attend a physical church meeting. On the other hand, technology can also increase the risk of addiction, from gambling and pornography to internet gaming and social media.

The growing prevalence of addiction within the Church has a number of implications that need to be considered. Many churches struggle to confront the reality of addiction, often considering it an individual problem that can be dealt with outside of the Church. As a result, members of the Church may become isolated and feel unable to talk to anyone about the problem. This can lead to feelings of shame and guilt, both of which can act as a barrier to seeking help.

At the same time, the way in which people access technology can have an impact on how the Church engages with them. For example, if a congregation uses social media as a method of connecting with members, yet many members are unable to access it due to addiction, this may damage the relationship between the Church and its members.

What Can the Church Do To Support People?

The Church must respond to the challenge of addiction in the modern digital society by providing support and resources for those affected. This support can come in a number of forms.

The first is to create a safe and supportive environment. This means opening up dialogue about addiction and providing a neutral ground where individuals can seek advice and support without feeling judged or embarrassed. Churches can also provide resources and links to relevant websites, such as the national helpline for addiction.

Another important step is to promote positive digital use within the Church. This means promoting education and prevention around the dangers of addiction and helping members to find alternatives where possible. It could also involve creating church-based activities which are based around positive digital use, such as youth groups or online prayer meetings.

Finally, churches can work to remove the stigma and taboo that is often associated with addiction. This could include openly discussing the issue in church meetings, leading discussions on social media, or speaking out against discriminatory language or assumptions about addicts.

Conclusion

Addiction is a major issue in the modern digital society, and the Church must take responsibility in confronting it. Churches should provide a safe and supportive environment, promote positive digital use, and work to remove the stigma associated with addiction. By doing so, they can help those affected by addiction to get the support they need, and create a more inclusive and safe church.

The Role of the Church to Help with Addiction

It is no secret that addiction is a major problem in today’s society. While there are numerous organizations dedicated to providing help and support for those battling their addiction, the church has an important role to play. The church has a special relationship with members of its congregation, and its role is to provide spiritual guidance to those struggling with addiction.

The first way in which the church can help with addiction is through prayer. The power of prayer is often underestimated, but it is one of the most powerful weapons in the battle against addiction. Prayer can serve as a reminder of hope and faith, and it can also help to open up the lines of communication between family members and those struggling with addiction.

The second way in which the church can help with addiction is through its network of parishioners. The church is a community, and when it is organized and works together, it can be a powerful support system. Church members can serve as mentors, friends, and confidants to those struggling with addiction. Through their collective support, those dealing with addiction can find the strength and courage to overcome it.

The third way in which the church can help with addiction is through its resources. Many churches offer counseling, support groups, and addiction recovery programs. These resources can serve as a lifeline to those in need. A church can offer a safe space for their members to discuss their struggles and establish strong support systems.

Another way in which the church can help those struggling with addiction is by helping them to establish and maintain a spiritual practice. Many people turn to spirituality in times of crisis, and churches can provide the tools and resources needed to keep a person connected with their faith while in recovery. Through prayer, meditation, spiritual guidance, and community support, members of the church can provide a strong foundation for an individual’s recovery.

Finally, the church can help those struggling with addiction by becoming a source of education. Many churches are making efforts to provide educational programming and resources for their members on the understanding of addiction and how to prevent it. This kind of education can be invaluable to those in need of help.

Addiction is a complicated and difficult disease, but one that can be conquered with the right help and support. The church can provide much of this help and support. Through prayer, education, counseling, and support, the church can be an invaluable part of any recovery plan. As a community of faith holders, members of the church can help those struggling with addiction to find the hope and inspiration needed to overcome their problems.

Role of the church in helping addicts

When it comes to helping addicts, churches have a pivotal role to play to ensure that their affected members get their lives back on track. It is the responsibility of the church to ensure the physical and spiritual growth of her members.

Therefore, when problems like addiction surface, the church needs to provide all the help they can to tackle the issue headon till it fades off. Here are some of the roles that the church plays in helping addicts.

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Spiritual support

The church needs to provide her addicted church members with spiritual support so that they can solidify their fellowship with God.

When someone is addicted, they are likely not to have a smooth fellowship because of their feelings of guilt. Addiction draws the believer away from God, but the spiritual support from the church can help in restoration.

Additionally, the church will encourage the believer to read their Bible, pray regularly, spend time meditating, and do good acts that are pleasing to God.

Physical treatment support

When someone is struggling with addiction and they need help, physical treatment support is essential. This starts from getting counseling which helps the individual figure out the root cause of their addiction.

Counseling also helps to create a personalized treatment plan for the addict, because addiction treatment has a higher success rate when it is individualized.

It is also important for the church to be present for their addict all through the addiction treatment phase, and the aftercare stage.

Encouragement and care

When addicts are receiving treatment, they need all the motivation and care to bounce back on their feet. Some of them have strained relationships with their family and friends, which makes it hard to get the help they need.

With the encouragement that addicts get from the church, they will be able to follow through with addiction treatment till they achieve long-term sobriety.

Trusting the power of God to heal addiction

Many people, including Christians, struggle with addiction, and they find it hard to break free. One of the reasons why Christians experience this difficulty is because they feel distant from God. So, they don’t consider putting in steps that will help them depend on God for healing.

The truth is, even if an addicted Christian has a distorted fellowship with God, their relationship is still intact. Hence, it is imperative to trust in the healing power of God to become sober and free of addiction.

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Here are some ways that provide an avenue to keep trusting the power of God to break free from addiction.  

Reading the Bible regularly

When you constantly go through the word of God, you will see different promises of God that assure you that he will always be with you through your challenges.

Reading the scriptures helps you to see differently that God is always on your side, and that problems like addiction can go away when you continue to trust in the power of God.

Praying without ceasing

Praying effectively and regularly happens when your faith has been built up.

After reading through God’s word, it becomes easier to keep praying about your addiction problem before you see a result.

Praying also gives you the confidence that God has heard you, and that you will get your life back on track.

A corporate spiritual relationship with the brethren

One of the most underrated Christianity tips is a corporate relationship with your brothers and sisters in Christ. It is amazing having people who serve as your support system.

They will be there for you through thick, and thin. Also, some of them might encourage you to take further steps in getting help at an addiction treatment center.

While trusting God to get healed from addiction, you should prioritize seeing a counselor at an addiction center to give you all the help you need to get started with treatment.

Overcoming Drug Addiction: How to Use Your Faith and Religion to Help

One of the most difficult aspects of drug addiction is the process of recovery. Recovery can be filled with anger, regret, withdraws and other symptoms that come with readjusting to life without drugs.

Effectively overcoming addiction takes strength and support. It takes financial, physical and emotional support from friends and family, as the road to recovery can be just as hard or harder than the addiction itself.

By adding faith and religion into your healing plan, you will find an influx of additional support and helpful tools that are made available to you.

Go to your church and seek support. Your fellow Christ followers should be more than happy to help you and support you in your journey to recovery. Ask them for their thoughts and prayers during this time. You will be amazed how much it will help you through the recovery process just by the love you feel from their thoughts and prayers being sent your way.

Use your faith and religion as a crutch to keep you standing and help you walk when you feel like you are stumbling. The Word of God offers great advice for times of turmoil and trouble. Try visiting a Bible study or seek help from your pastor. By diving deeper into the verses of encouragement, hope, and promises you will find yourself looking forward to the end product of being a new person. You will find words of encouragement through your faith for just about any emotion you are feeling during the recovery process.

Someone who struggles with addiction might have also been struggling spiritually from the beginning. Use your time of recovery to rekindle your faith. Dig deep within yourself and discover what is truly missing in your life – maybe it is time you worked on your faith and religion to restore the relationship you once had with God.

The power of prayer, and the power of God can cure any illness much more efficiently than any medication can. It is important that you rely on all your resources during recovery – including God.

Patients who have used their faith and religion in the recovery process before have reported less stress and anxiety, a more optimistic feeling toward recovery and a greater perception of social support.

Using your faith and religion gives you additional support, advice and a safe haven to go when you are feeling weak. Your brothers and sisters in Christ are there to help you, just don’t be afraid to ask.

Recovery: Becoming the Family Leader Your Kids and Spouse Need

Especially once you have children, the need for a set head of the household becomes increasingly evident. To maintain a sound family structure, it is imperative that there is a set person in charge, in combination with the other parent.

The head of the household is needed to ensure the family is taken care of and stable financially, emotionally and spiritually. However, when things like addiction creep into your home this can disturb the sound family order – especially if the one affected is the head of the household.

Family

Once the addiction has crept in and the family order has been disturbed, how do you restore it following addiction recovery?

Ask for help from your spouse.

During the time of addiction, your spouse might have had to step in and fill your shoes. Ask them for help – see what they have been doing and if anything has changed since your recovery, ask them for help transitioning back into your role as family leader. It takes two people working together to make a family successful, so don’t be afraid to ask your spouse for help re-enforcing that you are the head of the household.

Use this time to make changes.

If you want to change any of the current structurings of your household, now is the time to do it. As you readjust, lay out a list of set rules, a set budget and the set structure of the family. Make sure it is clear to everyone who is in charge and what is going on. This will ensure everyone is on the same page, working toward the same goal to avoid turmoil and be more efficient.

Seek Godly advice.

Reinvent yourself and invest in your spiritual life again. Get a mentor or someone you can talk to who will offer Godly advice and will help put you back on the right path. They will also be able to show you some tips along the way that make the process easier and clearer.

The head of the household is especially important in the lives of your children. Be a good role model and show them that it is possible to overcome addiction and sin. The ultimate treat, once you have overcome addiction, will be seeing your family restored back to a happy and healthy family – spiritually, physically, financially and emotionally. You will begin to reap the benefits of all your hard work both in your marriage and in the new relationship you have with your children.

Overwhelmed by Addiction: How to Heal the Hurting in Your Safe Haven

Drug addiction, amongst other addictions, is a serious epidemic that is becoming increasingly more prevalent in our homes, schools, and churches. It is estimated that about 208 million people internationally consume illegal drugs. One of the most prevalent issues amongst drug addiction right now is individual’s addiction to prescription pain killers – opioids.

Unfortunately, the church has become overwhelmed with addiction – marriages are ending, lives are being taken too soon, and kids and parents alike are suffering due to the actions of their loved ones. Sadly, this often creates a divide in our church. There are those suffering visibly, those suffering in silence, and those who just feel they are too good to be involved with either party.

But, how are these actions helping heal our church, our safe haven, and place of worship?

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should be helping each other. And as Christ followers, we should be doing everything we can to rid our place of worship of the evil one and the drug addiction he has brought upon us.

Reach out if you think someone is hurting.

Talk to those around you and find out what is going on in their lives. If you suspect someone is struggling, offer them your love, advice, and prayers. The most important part of recovery is having helping hands and support along the way. One of the quickest ways to heal your church is to find out who is in need. Offer a helping hand to anyone who might need it and walk with them along their road to recovery.   Christian Alcohol Treatment Centers can be one of the best options for treating addiction, Spirit, soul, body.

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Stop looking the other way.

Avoiding a situation does not make it any better. Rather than looking the other way because you are too embarrassed to ask if someone is struggling, ask God to give you the strength to help them however they might need it. By turning the other cheek, they might even assume you don’t care or are ashamed of them. It is always better to at least try to help someone and fail rather than not try at all.

Never turn your nose up.

Just because you sin differently does not make you any better than the person in the next pew ahead. Regardless of the drug or the addiction, do not turn your nose up. Remain humble and genuine, offering the person the support they need.

In the modern day, where addiction has become more prevalent than ever, it is important that we fight to keep our church clean. But, remember it is also our safe haven, so while we should try to rid it of sin, we should do so in a loving way – offering help and support to those who need it.

3 Reasons Why Addiction is Killing Your Witness

Skeletons in the closet – we all have them. Secrets are part of life, and some secrets are worse than others.

Some people suffer from anger issues, some are alcoholics, for others it might be a pornography addiction and for some it is a drug addiction. Unfortunately, several people in the world are suffering from a drug addiction, and more so recently due to the outrageous opioid epidemic sweeping our world today.

In reality, your addiction might not be that bad – you still go to work, hang out with your family and attend church weekly. As long as you are functional, what harm could it really be doing?

Right? Wrong.

Dig beneath the surface. Drug addiction is not a victimless crime and it does come with consequences.

While you might continue to witness to others about your Savior, you are secretly killing your witness as you sit in your comfort zone and struggle with drug addiction:

1. You are not being truthful.

While some people may not know you are ill and only portraying that you are not struggling, you are lying to them. You cannot truly allow yourself to open up and share the love of Christ with them without being honest.

2. You are missing out on the greatness witness story of all time.

Addiction can be cured with God – through Him all things are possible, after all. One of the greatest tools of your witness is waiting for you, it is right in front of you. What an incredible story it would be to share with others how God has worked in your life and helped you recover from addiction. However, by hiding that you even have a problem, you are missing out on that witness.

Witness

3. You are actively living in sin.

Your witness is damaged when you are actively living in sin with no intentions of repentance. Sin is normal, it is part of life and we all do it at several points in our lives, however, we should always be looking to improve and get away from it. You should not continue to knowingly live a sinful life while trying to teach others how to escape sin.

For just a moment, take a step back and consider how drug addiction is affecting your life and your witness. It might actually be a good time to consider how to change your life before trying to help others change theirs.

Going Through the Motions: Worship, Addiction, Repent, Repeat

As humans, and as Christians, it can be easy to get into the habit of doing things. In fact, statistics show that it only takes about 21 consecutive days of doing something for it to become a habit. As we do our routine more and more, it becomes a habit. Think about your everyday life: you wake up, prepare for the day, go to work, come home, eat dinner, and go to bed – it’s that simple, that is a routine and a habit.

In our spiritual life, this is no different…

Go to church, repent, go back to our everyday life, and repeat the next week.

It can be easy to fall into the habit of repenting while you are at church, but somehow falling right back into the same sinful trap as soon as you leave. It is all part of the mask we tend to wear within the church – the mask of holiness and cleanliness. Rather than letting people know we are hurting and struggling, rather than asking them to help us, we want people to be under the impression that we are perfect.

Drug addiction is an ugly thing and one that nobody likes to talk about – especially the addict themselves.

Drug Addiction

It can poke its ugly head into our lives and destroy everything – families, friendships, and even jobs. So, this is why addicts like to keep quiet. It is as if by not telling anyone, nobody will ever know and therefore their relationships can’t be ruined. However, this is wrong.

The evil of addiction will continue to tear through you until it reaches the outside and until it starts affecting everything around you.

Many addicts struggle throughout the week, then go to church and uphold their image and composure, pray and ask God for forgiveness as the Spirit moves over them during worship, but come Monday morning, they are right back to their normal routine.

As Christians and individuals, they are just simply going through the motions. They are going through the motions of repenting to feel better, going through the motions of worshipping to uphold their image.

However, true freedom comes when you stop pretending and when you stop going through the motions. As an addict, hop off the “worship, addiction, repent, repeat” train and seek help and forgiveness. All too often people assume the skeletons in the closet will never come out, but unfortunately, they will. When they arrive unannounced, it will be much uglier.

Don’t continue to be lukewarm and repetitive, and fake. Don’t hide behind your addiction, as it is probably doing more damage than it would if you just came out and admitted you have a problem.