Bible – The Bible Society of Lesotho

Addictions come in many shapes and forms, whether it’s lust, alcohol, substances, gambling, gaming, or even excessive use of your mobile phone and social media. There is professional help to get as well as counselling from your priest or pastor.

Also, read the Bible and lay your addiction before God in prayer. Here are some passages from the Word of God to reflect upon.

James 1:14-15 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

We all have weaknesses within us that can make us fall and lead to an addiction. Acknowledging this, and admitting that you struggle with addiction is an important step to be free from it.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Addictions don’t come from God, but from the world and our desires, lusts and pride. We can rely on God wanting us to be free from any addiction.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

You may feel that you can’t break your addiction. But the Bible tells us that God can. God will provide the way of escape. Turn to God, turn from your addiction. Let God fill you with his presence.

1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Addiction is many times when something takes control over you. Those things that are not helpful in your life and dominate your thoughts and desires you may need to cut out of your life.

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Addictions come from this world and not from God. In the end, addictions replace God as the number one in our lives. It’s not just about addictions, but also about our souls.

Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Lay your struggles before God. Ask for God’s protection and deliverance.

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

This is the promise of Jesus Christ, that when he sets us free, it is real freedom.

This article is not intended as a replacement for medical or therapeutic help or treatment for addiction, but a complement and inspiration to those who battle addiction.

The Ancestors of Jesus

(Luke 3.23-38)

1 Jesus Christ came from the family of King David and also from the family of Abraham. And this is a list of his ancestors. 2-6a From Abraham to King David, his ancestors were:

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah and his brothers (Judah's sons were Perez and Zerah, and their mother was Tamar), Hezron;

Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz (his mother was Rahab), Obed (his mother was Ruth), Jesse, and King David.

6b-11 From David to the time of the exile in Babylonia, the ancestors of Jesus were:

David, Solomon (his mother had been Uriah's wife), Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram;

Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah, and Jehoiachin and his brothers.

12-16 From the exile to the birth of Jesus, his ancestors were:

Jehoiachin, Shealtiel, Zerubbabel, Abiud, Eliakim, Azor, Zadok, Achim;

Eliud, Eleazar, Matthan, Jacob, and Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is called the Messiah.

17 There were 14 generations from Abraham to David. There were also 14 from David to the exile in Babylonia and 14 more to the birth of the Messiah.

The Birth of Jesus

(Luke 2.1-7)

18 This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David's family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God's Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding.

20 While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. 21 Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”

24 After Joseph woke up, he and Mary were soon married, just as the Lord's angel had told him to do. 25 But they did not sleep together before her baby was born. Then Joseph named him Jesus.

1 The booke of the generation of Jesus Christ the sonne of Dauid, the sonne of Abraham. 2 Abraham begate Isaac. And Isaac begate Iacob. And Iacob begat Iudas and his brethren. 3 And Iudas begate Phares, and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begate Esrom. And Esrom begate Aram. 4 And Aram begate Aminadab. And Aminadab begate Naasson. And Naasson begat Salmon. 5 And Salmon begate Booz of Rachab. And Booz begat Obed of Ruth. and Obed begat Iesse. 6 And Iesse begate Dauid the King. And Dauid the King begate Salomon of her that was the wife of Vrias. 7 And Salomon begate Roboam. And Roboam begate Abia. And Abia begate Asa. 8 And Asa begate Iosaphat. And Iosaphat begate Ioram. And Ioram begate Hozias. 9 And Hozias begat Ioatham. And Ioatham begate Achaz. And Achaz begate Ezekias. 10 And Ezekias begate Manasses. And Manasses begate Amon. And Amon begate Iosias. 11 And Iosias begate Iakim. And Iakim begate Iechonias and his brethren about the time they were caried away to Babylon. 12 And after they were caried away into Babylon, Iechonias begate Salathiel. And Salathiel begate Zorobabel. 13 And Zorobabel begate Abiud. And Abiud begate Eliacim. And Eliacim begate Azor. 14 And Azor begate Sadoc. And Sadoc begate Achim. And Achim begate Eliud. 15 And Eliud begate Eleazar. And Eleazar begate Matthan. And Matthan begate Iacob. 16 And Iacob begat Ioseph ye husband of Mary, of whom was borne Jesus, that is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to Dauid, are fourtene generations. And from Dauid vntil they were caried away into Babylon, fourtene generations: and after they were caried away into Babylon vntill Christ, fourteene generations. 18 Nowe the birth of Jesus Christ was thus, When as his mother Mary was betrothed to Ioseph, before they came together, shee was found with childe of the holy Ghost. 19 Then Ioseph her husband being a iust man, and not willing to make her a publike example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But whiles he thought these things, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared vnto him in a dreame, saying, Ioseph, the sonne of Dauid, feare not to take Mary thy wife: for that which is conceiued in her, is of the holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring foorth a sonne, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for hee shall saue his people from their sinnes. 22 And al this was done that it might be fulfilled, which is spoken of the Lord by ye Prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgine shalbe with childe, and shall beare a sonne, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which is by interpretation, God with vs. 24 Then Ioseph, being raised from sleepe, did as the Angel of the Lord had inioyned him, and tooke his wife. 25 But he knew her not, til she had broght forth her first borne sonne, and he called his name JESUS.

Matthew 1