Article | - 4:38 pm
Breaking Free: Recognizing and Overcoming Modern Addictions
Many men are “enslaved by the modern world” without even realizing it. They become trapped in habits that drain their energy and negatively impact their finances, health, and overall quality of life. Some common examples of these addictive habits include social media use, credit card debt, and pornography. These addictions can dominate men’s minds and, as a result, control their behavior. The longer they remain trapped, the harder it becomes to break free.
Addiction is defined as a repetitive behavior that harms an individual, whether that harm affects their health, finances, emotions, conscience, relationships, or any other aspect of life. Ultimately, addiction enslaves a person.
The main issue is that many people only notice these behaviors when problems have already escalated. For instance, someone who gambles only recognizes their addiction when they can no longer pay their bills because they prioritize betting on the second division of the German handball championship.
Addiction doesn’t usually emerge as a major problem. Instead, it often starts with a seemingly minor suggestion accompanied by phrases like “just this once” or “once won’t hurt.” This is reminiscent of the story in the Garden of Eden, where Eve was persuaded by a suggestion to eat the forbidden fruit. As stated in Genesis 3:6, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes…” Eve was led astray by the serpent’s suggestion, which included the claim, “It will not harm you.” Her desire for the fruit ultimately made her a slave to her own desires.
The Bible states in 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” During the Intellimen Meeting held on April 26, Bishop Renato Cardoso elaborated on this verse, “Whoever has the Spirit of God is free and is no longer a slave. ‘Spirit of God’ and ‘slavery’ do not coexist. Whoever has the Spirit of God within them cannot be enslaved by anything or anyone.”
The event took place at the Temple of Solomon in Brazil. The full meeting is available on the Univer Video streaming platform.
On that day, Bishop Renato emphasized that the only way to attain true freedom is by surrendering to the Holy Spirit, as He knows what is best for us.
“God offers us the proposal of the ‘Spirit of the Lord’ within us so that we are not slaves to anyone; rather, we become servants of God. True freedom comes when you choose to serve Him. You must relinquish your own will to follow God’s Will,” he advised.
Lastly, the bishop urged attendees to remain vigilant against these subtle traps, as they are varied and ever-present in today’s world. The devil studies our preferences and knows our weaknesses. An intelligent man remains alert to avoid being dominated by evil.
Are you interested in becoming a better man? The monthly Intellimen meeting is designed for men who want to improve themselves in all areas of their lives. It’s a gathering where men support each other, share helpful advice, and make a commitment to work hard every day to become better husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, friends, boyfriends, employees, business owners, students, servants of God, and members of society, overall, better persons.
To learn more about Intellimen and its upcoming meeting, please visit The Universal Church near you and speak with the pastor, or call 1-888-332-4141 for additional information.
