CLAY CENTER –  According to a global report on illicit drug use, the United States has the highest death rate from drugs in the world. When I sat down to ask some law enforcement what the greatest problem was in their area, guess what they told me? “Drugs!” Across America and worldwide drug use is destroying lives. Cocaine, marijuana, Fentanyl, heroin, opioids, methamphetamine are just a few of the drugs of choice for many, along with alcohol, nicotine and others. Since the beginning, the human race has continually battled with drugs.

In the Bible, there is a shocking account about a father and his two daughters that captures the influence drugs have had on humanity for thousands of years.

The family fled from their home just before their town was suddenly destroyed by fire in an unusual supernatural event. The father (Lot) had lost everything but his two adult daughters. And their new home they escaped to was a lonely dark cave. No doubt they were all discouraged, grief-stricken, overwhelmed, and unsure what the next steps were. Though they were a religious family, there is no account of them taking their questions to God, lifting their burdens before Him or seeking His counsel for where to go or what to do. They appeared to be relying on their own wisdom.

Eventually, Lot’s daughters felt desperate to have children and reasoned between themselves that there was no option for them outside of their father. They conspired to have a one-time incestual relationship with him, and do so with the help of alcohol. For the sisters said, “…let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.” (Genesis 19:32) Lot was unaware of his daughters’ plans, but knew he was drinking alcohol and refused to stop. When he became drunk, one daughter laid down with him. After Lot woke up from his hangover, he did not remember anything. The next night the same thing happened with the other daughter. Lot never realized the implications of his drinking until he learned that both his daughters were pregnant.

The sisters wanted something for themselves, and rationalized the need to drug their dad to get it. As for Lot, rather than going to God in the face of discouragement, he became deceived by alcohol and lost his moral compass at a great cost.

No matter the drug, why do people do it? Because they believe the lie. The lie that has been continually sold to humans for thousands of years. That drugs can help them escape and get relief from whatever overwhelming situation they are facing. Drugs and their pushers offer grand promises using demonic lies. “Take this for the pain.” “This will help you have a good time.” “It will calm you down.” And the users believe the promises, treating them like a god, as if they have the power to give them what they are searching for. These false gods have a high price though. They can take nearly all your money, family, job, possessions, reputation and perhaps even your very life and eternal soul. Taking drugs is a deal with the devil and he wins every time.

What is the answer? Freedom through Jesus Christ.

Jesus died and rose again to defeat the power of sin, so that men and women might be set free from its strangle hold. Many are like powerless slaves to drugs, following them like a sheep to slaughter. But the cross of Jesus came to break people free from its chains. Turn from your drugs. Get ride of them today! Flush them down the toilet. Burn them up. Leave them behind and run to Jesus! Freedom is waiting for you!

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for the drug pushers and users. Open their eyes to the lies they are believing. Let them see what their drugs are taking from them. Let them no longer be deceived. Draw them to you. Help them to see the cross, call out to you and be gloriously set free! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Clint Decker is president of Great Awakenings. Share comment at cdecker@greatawakenings.org and follow his blog at clintdecker.blogspot.com.