Gambling

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SophieJoy

New member
Jul 8, 2024
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3
#1
What does the bible say about gambling and how can one get delivered?
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,368
3,163
113
#2
What does the bible say about gambling and how can one get delivered?
Gambling is symptomatic of a love of money. It is fundamentally a deception that says if you have money, you will be satisfied. Satan is a liar and deceiver.

Part of gambling's attraction is the prospect of being a winner. It feels good to win, as any athlete will tell you. If people feel good, they will become addicted to the feeling, no matter what produces the feeling.

To be delivered first requires the gambler to admit that they have a problem. Many who gamble see nothing wrong with it and it may not significantly affect their lifestyle. Christians should know better. We should ask God to set us free. You may need to confess to another Christian. (James 5:16)
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,319
3,619
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#3
What does the bible say about gambling and how can one get delivered?
I don't think the Bible says anything specifically about gambling, but it says a lot about the best ways to live life. It talks a lot about being sober-minded. Any addiction has a way of clouding your mind so you can't see clearly.

If I want to get delivered from something, I pray and ask God to help me. Then I listen to what He says. What He tells you to do may not be easy, but it will be the best thing for you.

Are you asking for yourself? If so, why do you gamble, if I may ask? If you know why you gamble, then you're on the way to finding better ways to deal with your circumstances. You need to live in reality; gambling isn't a reality-based solution.
 

SophieJoy

New member
Jul 8, 2024
13
4
3
#4
I don't think the Bible says anything specifically about gambling, but it says a lot about the best ways to live life. It talks a lot about being sober-minded. Any addiction has a way of clouding your mind so you can't see clearly.

If I want to get delivered from something, I pray and ask God to help me. Then I listen to what He says. What He tells you to do may not be easy, but it will be the best thing for you.

Are you asking for yourself? If so, why do you gamble, if I may ask? If you know why you gamble, then you're on the way to finding better ways to deal with your circumstances. You need to live in reality; gambling isn't a reality-based solution.
My husband is the one with the problem. We've had financial issues because of that like late rent payments, getting into short term loans to meet daily expenses etc. He does it in secret. Whenever I confront him, he down plays the problem. But I know the problem is bigger than he cares to admit.
 

notmyown

Senior Member
May 26, 2016
4,927
1,272
113
#5
My husband is the one with the problem. We've had financial issues because of that like late rent payments, getting into short term loans to meet daily expenses etc. He does it in secret. Whenever I confront him, he down plays the problem. But I know the problem is bigger than he cares to admit.
i'm sorry, dear heart. :cry:

we have a prayer requests forum you might want to avail yourself of. the people who frequent it won't necessarily see this here, and i know many would feel it a privilege to pray for you, should you decide to ask. ♥

(ps-- is your husband a believer?)
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,319
3,619
113
#6
My husband is the one with the problem. We've had financial issues because of that like late rent payments, getting into short term loans to meet daily expenses etc. He does it in secret. Whenever I confront him, he down plays the problem. But I know the problem is bigger than he cares to admit.
I see. I'll pray for you both. Glad you're here; hope you can find some answers.
 

Karlon

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2023
2,617
1,180
113
#7
What does the bible say about gambling and how can one get delivered?
no where in the Bible does it say, "thou shall not gamble". there certainly are teachings on how excessive gambling is sin & compulsive. the phillistinic & profligate spending of money is sin. i buy a scratch ticket about every 3 months. responsible management of money is to be Godly 1st: tithe, pay bills, save for future, help others & enjoy God's gift of money!
 

gb9

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2011
12,329
6,696
113
#8
no where in the Bible does it say, "thou shall not gamble". there certainly are teachings on how excessive gambling is sin & compulsive. the phillistinic & profligate spending of money is sin. i buy a scratch ticket about every 3 months. responsible management of money is to be Godly 1st: tithe, pay bills, save for future, help others & enjoy God's gift of money!
agree on all of this except the tithe, that is a Old Testament thing...

my church has a theme similar to yours- : give first, save next, live on the rest".
 

Karlon

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2023
2,617
1,180
113
#9
agree on all of this except the tithe, that is a Old Testament thing...

my church has a theme similar to yours- : give first, save next, live on the rest".
when i say tithe, i don't mean 10% as the old testament was. i give cheerfully & willingly.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,130
3,689
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#10
Christians should take heed when it comes to gambling, making sure the motivation is not rooted in the love of money.
 

SophieJoy

New member
Jul 8, 2024
13
4
3
#11
i'm sorry, dear heart. :cry:

we have a prayer requests forum you might want to avail yourself of. the people who frequent it won't necessarily see this here, and i know many would feel it a privilege to pray for you, should you decide to ask. ♥

(ps-- is your husband a believer?)
Thank you so much. I'll definitely join the prayer forum. My husband is a believer but stopped going to church. He has church "wounds". ..... there's a time he was very low in cash and gave his last coin as an offering. The pastor there after came to the pulpit to lecture those that were not giving "well" claiming the Storehouse is empty. Ever since he's never stepped into church. I miss the days we used to go to church together.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,025
4,444
113
#13
Gambling is symptomatic of a love of money. It is fundamentally a deception that says if you have money, you will be satisfied. Satan is a liar and deceiver.
Not always.

It can and normally is a form of escapism.
I should know as I was a severe gambler and it wasn't because I loved money.
In fact I was just as miserable when I won and lost.

So please let's not assume other wise as the general.

It can be the affect of cause.
In my case severe childhood trauma.
 

SophieJoy

New member
Jul 8, 2024
13
4
3
#14
Not always.

It can and normally is a form of escapism.
I should know as I was a severe gambler and it wasn't because I loved money.
In fact I was just as miserable when I won and lost.

So please let's not assume other wise as the general.

It can be the affect of cause.
In my case severe childhood trauma.
Hi @BillG , that's an interesting take you have there. If you don't mind, I'd like to know how you overcame it?
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,368
3,163
113
#15
Not always.

It can and normally is a form of escapism.
I should know as I was a severe gambler and it wasn't because I loved money.
In fact I was just as miserable when I won and lost.

So please let's not assume other wise as the general.

It can be the affect of cause.
In my case severe childhood trauma.
Certainly that can be the case. I gambled for the same reason. But vast numbers of people, at least in Australia, gamble in the hope of getting rich. The world sells the false dream that riches mean happiness. The love of money is still the root of evil.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,025
4,444
113
#16
Hi @BillG , that's an interesting take you have there. If you don't mind, I'd like to know how you overcame it?
Hi @SophieJoy.

Just a short background.
My childhood blighted sexual abuse at a very early age, my mum threw me out of the house and I was fostered by a Christian family only to be sexually abused by my foster dad in my teenage years.

This led to severe anxiety gambling and drinking and bitterness.

I came to the realisation that I had to forgive.
Our father in heaven walked with me in doing this.
My relationship with my mum was restored, I was at my foster dads deathbed and I sorted out his estate.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.
Lewis B. Smedes

Let's all live by the above quote.

God bless you.
 

SophieJoy

New member
Jul 8, 2024
13
4
3
#17
Hi @SophieJoy.

Just a short background.
My childhood blighted sexual abuse at a very early age, my mum threw me out of the house and I was fostered by a Christian family only to be sexually abused by my foster dad in my teenage years.

This led to severe anxiety gambling and drinking and bitterness.

I came to the realisation that I had to forgive.
Our father in heaven walked with me in doing this.
My relationship with my mum was restored, I was at my foster dads deathbed and I sorted out his estate.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.
Lewis B. Smedes

Let's all live by the above quote.

God bless you.
Amen! Thank you so much for sharing. We thank God for restoration. A very important lesson on forgiveness too. Thank you so much for being open and vulnerable. Revelation 12:11. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.