THE EVIL SPIRIT OF GAMBLING

                                          PART ONE

To be quickly rich without any labor is the dream of all sinners and that is the foundation of gambling.

So what is Gambling?

It refers to a wager or bet in which each player agrees to risk losing some money or material possession to other players in exchange for the chance to win the possessions of other players without compensation to the loser, the winner(s) and loser(s) being determined by the outcome of a game.

It refers to betting on the outcome of a future event. Gamblers usually bet money or something else of value as a stake on the outcome they predict. When the outcome is settled, the winner collects the loser's stakes.

Gambling is to expose yourself to danger and to proceed in the face of it i.e lying, life of poverty, suicide, stealing, selling household properties etc

Gambling is the sure way of getting nothing for something.

Gambling is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.– George Washington

Gambling is a spirit, a sickness, a disease, an addiction, laziness, an insanity, and is always a loser in the long run.

Gambling is not an act of faith but a game of chance or fortune, for whatever that is not of faith is sin 

Romans 14:23

.............for whatever is not from faith is sin.

The Christian life is to be lived in dependence on God to meet all needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus 

Philippians 4:19

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

Gambling can be just as addictive as drugs and alcohol so people need to know that they’re not just gambling with money, they’re gambling with their lives.

Gambling is of the world(1 John 4:5) and whoever loves the world the love of the Father is not in Him

1 John 4:5

They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 

1 John 2:15-16

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 

James 4:4

........... Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God

The following sources proves gambling is of the world.

1) Online betting e.g SportPesa, BetIn, Betika, Betway, BetPawa, Shabiki.com, EliteBet, JustBet, BetYetu, EAZIBet, 256Bet, M-cheza, KwikBet, DafaBet etc

 2)Casinos like LUCKY 2 U, slot machines, roulette wheels, dice, card games, numbers games, Spin Wheels etc 

3) Lotteries e.g Lotto, Pambazuka Lottery, Cheza Ushide, Angukia Chapaa, Tatua 3 etc

4) Charity and church-sponsored bingo, raffles, etc.

Gambling is very addictive and many are so obsessed by the hope of winning the Jackpot that they gamble compulsively e.g in SportPesa where one wants to win a Jackpot of Kshs142million. However the money spent has what mathematically is typically a zero chance of earning a return. Even when the odds are slightly better, the game is still based in chance or fortune and it is foolish, self-centered, and greed-oriented. One must understand that, to gamble is to throw money away in hopes of becoming rich, thinking nothing of how the wasted money could have been used for the Lord's work, for one’s family, or for those in need since it ends up benefiting those who run the evil and destructive enterprise.

Again, know gambling is an opening door for all kinds of evil controlling influences which quench the Spirit’s influence. This is because covetousness and a desire to be wealthy at any cost is what drives the heart and mind in gambling rather than Christ and His Word. 

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

When one uses money to gamble in the line of hope to get a return without working for it or wisely investing it, is not driven by wisdom or the Spirit but by self, greed, and sin. When we gamble, we become slaves of money rather than of God as we trust in chance and laziness to meet an objective that is not even necessarily God’s will, that is, getting rich.

Church of God! Be warned, gambling is certainly not a constructive behavior that edifies us and others, for it opens the door to great many sins, being already driven by sin and selfishness. 

I ask, Why would a person gamble unless they want a cheap selfish thrill, they are greedy, they want to get rich quick, they are not focused on heavenly race, they are not content, or they don’t trust God to meet their needs? How can gambling possibly be said to be driven by faith, which God says must be the case for all that we do, or else we sin (Hebrews 11:6, Romans 14:23)?

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him

Romans 14:23

But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not at from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

                        *Excuse me! That's not faith but spirit of error(fortune, chance)*

As Christians, we must determine if gambling is spiritually beneficial for us and others, and the obvious answer is that its ABSOLUTELY NOT for God is the One Who meets our needs, not the mega jackpot. Who or what are we going to worship, God or gambling? It cannot be both( Matthew 6:24)

Matthew 6:24

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

As a victim of gambling through Online Betting in sportpesa, BetIn, Betika and BetPawa have realized it was a way of laying my finances in an evil foundation and this also concerns to all gamblers, instead of being content with what they have( Hebrews 13:5)

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness;be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

1 Timothy 6:6

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 

Have you not known, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also(Matthew 6:21) so those who engage in this traffic, money is the mutilator

                              ****Be warned all this is vanity like chasing the wind****

 Ecclesiastes 5:10

He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver;

Nor he who loves abundance, with increase.

This also is vanity.

                                        SO, GAMBLING IS A SIN AND ONE SHOULD FLEE FROM IT 

Deuteronomy 8:18

And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Proverbs 13:11

Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,

But he who gathers by labor will increase.

Proverbs 16:33

The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord

Proverbs 23:5

Will you set your eyes on that which is not?

For riches certainly make themselves wings;

They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

Since Gambling is addictive it encourages laziness and covetousness because its foundation and attraction is the love of money

 Ecclesiastes 5:10

He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

2 Timothy 3:2

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money............

Proverbs 10:5

He who gathers in summer is a wise son;

He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

                                        STOP GAMBLING WITH YOUR LIFE BUT BE DELIVERED