Hard to Love Drug-Add. Brother

[*~*Honey*~*]

I find this so very difficult to deal with. My husbands brother is a known crack addict. He is married and has a child. They have ruined their lives, moved all over the country trying to run from their problems. They've lost house, money....jobs...couldn't get any worse. Now they've moved back and still try to get money out of people/family... We are trying hard not to 'enable' the addictive behavior by not supplying money etc. but now its so very hard to simply just love them as a Christian... I dont know how to love them.. My heart is so conflicted. I pray and just leave the whole mess in Gods hands..what else can I do. Please help anyone.

Sincerely, Honey

[tsth]

Do you tell them about Jesus Christ and how He can set them free from this burden?

In His Love,

Suzanne

[*~*Honey*~*]

Do you tell them about Jesus Christ and how He can set them free from this burden?

In His Love,

Suzanne

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes thank you Suzanne...The brother and his wife are both baptized Christians..Our whole family is 'in Christ'---this is so very hard for the whole family.

[tsth]

Do you tell them about Jesus Christ and how He can set them free from this burden?

In His Love,

Suzanne

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes thank you Suzanne...The brother and his wife are both baptized Christians..Our whole family is 'in Christ'---this is so very hard for the whole family.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, here is your delimma. According to the Scriptures, you have 2 options.

1. You must speak the truth to them in love, for they are NOT bearing the fruits of a Christian.

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

Galatians 5

17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If he continues to claim to be a Christian, you are obligated to break fellowship with him. Unless you reveal to him by the Word of God, that he is not a Christian.

He is one of two things. He is either back-slidden(a carnal Christian), or was never a repentant believer/follower of Christ to begin with. Either way, a CHANGE must take place for him.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Matthitjah]

Honey,

I do not think we could add to the Truth set forth here by tsth.

I do want to add some Scripture I have been reading.

Eze

[RustyAngeL]

Honey, your right in not allowing yourselves to enable them. I know how hard it is. I'm married to a compulsive gambler and have had to remove myself from the problem. No it 's not easy but necessary. For these dear people they have to find themselves in the dirt before asking for help, and it has to be them asking. All we can do is pray for them and let God handle the rest. Your in my prayers. With much love in Christ, your sister Rusty

[*~*Honey*~*]

Thank you..Thank you Thank you..

My brothers and sisters...I so do very much appreciate the responses.

You have revealed words to me that have shed some light.

I have 'separated' myself and feel greatly threatened by this situation.

My husband has spoken with his brother and unfortunately we now must leave

it all to Christ.

This situation is certainly a painful one. I am only comforted knowing that the

Lord guides me and my family. Thankyou once again for your Christian love--my soul needed fellowship in this matter.

~~my heart overflows with love~~

Honey

[tsth]

Dear honey,

I too know how painful it can be. I had to practice the same with my own mother. She is now set free from her alcoholism, and has been sober for approx. 6 years now. Breaking fellowship can seem like a hopeless thing to do, but when obeying God, it is never hopeless. Sometimes, we have to step out of the way, and let God deal with them, lest we get caught in His dealings as well. I've learned from that as well. We CANNOT get inbetween the Lord and His Own, when He is disciplining. It can end up being painful for us as well. We need to get out of the way!

But, pray, pray, pray, and speak the Truth in love always, should they reach out to you. Do not shrink back from speaking the Truth, and hold them accountable to do what is right as a Christian, or to repent and believe if they are not.

In His Love,

Suzanne