What if the most dangerous addictions aren't the ones society warns us about, but the ones it actively encourages? In this thought-provoking conversation with Mike Helwig, a pastor turned licensed psychological counselor, we explore the concept of "acceptable addictions" - those normalized behaviors that silently damage our relationship with God and divide us from our community.

Helwig brings a unique perspective as someone who combines theological training with clinical mental health expertise. He defines addiction clearly: compulsively engaging in behavior you're powerless to change alone, to the point where you ignore negative consequences. While society recognizes substance abuse as problematic, we often overlook equally destructive normalized behaviors like excessive phone usage, emotional eating, workaholism, and what was once called gambling but has been rebranded as "gaming."

The spiritual dimension of these behaviors proves particularly troubling. "Addiction is really rooted in sinfulness, and sinfulness divides me from God," Helwig explains. "When I separate myself from God, I also separate myself from the people who stand best positioned to help me." This division creates a dangerous cycle where normalized addictions flourish unchallenged.

Recognizing you have a problem starts with honest self-assessment, professional evaluation, or simply listening to loved ones who see patterns you've normalized. Helwig shares his own journey to sobriety and offers a transformative four-window wellness plan focusing on spiritual practices, emotional/mental health, physical wellness, and social connections – a holistic approach recognizing God designed us for authentic connection.

The path to recovery begins with confession to trusted Christians who respond with Christ's forgiveness, removing shame that perpetuates addictive cycles. This creates space to replace harmful coping mechanisms with healthy alternatives. As Helwig notes, "When you rid yourself of something, there's a cavity the devil wants to fill."

Take the first step toward freedom by examining what you've normalized. Have your "acceptable" habits become unacceptable barriers between you and authentic connection with God and others? Join us as we explore breaking free from the addictions we don't talk about.

SHOW NOTES:

Find strength and courage in your faith at this year’s FEARLESS FAITH Conference. Inspired by Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous,” join us Saturday, September 13, at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson, Wisconsin, for presentations on navigating life’s storms, understanding God’s peace, and engaging in crucial conversations about euthanasia, anorexia, abortion, prenatal genetic testing, and more. Hear powerful journeys of faith through loss and hope. Don’t miss this empowering event! $50 in person or $40 virtual. Register now: https://christianliferesources.com/resources/events/2025-conference/

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Freedom carries profoundly different meanings depending on whether you're viewing it through the lens of modern culture or biblical truth. This thought-provoking episode tackles the paradox at the heart of Christian freedom—that surrender to Christ actually leads to our greatest liberty.

Pastor Bob Fleischmann begins by sharing Martin Luther's powerful insight that "A Christian man is the most free lord of all and subject to none. A Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all and subject to everyone." This seemingly contradictory statement opens the door to understanding how Christian freedom differs fundamentally from the world's concept of autonomy.

We explore how today's culture—from children's entertainment to political discourse—has shaped a shallow understanding of freedom as "having no rules." Even Frozen's beloved anthem "Let It Go" contains the revealing line: "No right, no wrong, no rules for me, I'm free." Against this cultural backdrop, we unpack Romans 6 and Galatians 5 to reveal how before Christ, we had only the "freedom" to sin—essentially the freedom to choose our chains. Through Christ's redemption, we gain something far greater: the freedom to do what is right.

The conversation takes an especially practical turn when discussing Christian citizenship. Rather than seeing our freedom in Christ as an exemption from civic responsibility, we discover how it uniquely equips us to serve our neighbors through thoughtful participation in society. As one pastor notes, "Christians are called to be yeast in society—influencing it while remaining distinct."

Whether you're wrestling with personal freedom questions or wondering how faith intersects with Independence Day celebrations, this episode offers refreshing clarity on what it truly means to be set free in Christ. The answer might surprise you—and transform how you view both spiritual liberty and its outworking in everyday life.

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Modern medical advances often solve one ethical dilemma while creating new ones. The question isn't just whether we can implement cutting-edge technologies, but whether we should—and what considerations must guide these momentous decisions.

Consider Japan's promising artificial blood trials, a direct response to their dramatically aging population and declining birth rates. With younger generations shrinking and fewer blood donors available, this innovation could extend blood shelf-life from weeks to years. Yet at $5,000-$9,000 per unit compared to $215 for donated blood, such solutions highlight healthcare disparities between wealthy and developing nations where blood supplies may only reach 40% of needed amounts.

Meanwhile, the average age of American mothers has risen to 27.5 years—reflecting a societal shift toward delayed parenthood. This seemingly innocuous trend carries sobering consequences: maternal mortality rates quadruple after age 40, infant mortality increases by 50%, and severe health complications rise significantly. Beyond statistics lie family dynamics as well—when parents have children later, grandparents may lack the energy to provide much-needed childcare support, creating cascading effects across generations.

Perhaps most disturbing is Philip Nitschke's latest proposal—an implantable chip allowing early-stage dementia patients to end their lives before cognitive decline progresses. This device would require daily deactivation, raising profound questions about autonomy, memory, and what constitutes informed consent when someone's mental capacity fluctuates. Is forgetting you once wanted to die a problem requiring technological intervention, or a blessing that allows continued experiencing of life?

These technological developments reflect deeper societal values. Whether discussing artificial blood, delayed parenthood, or end-of-life technology, we face fundamental questions about how we value human life at various stages and conditions. Join us as we navigate these challenging ethical intersections with compassion, critical thinking, and consideration of both scientific evidence and spiritual values.

SHOW NOTES:

Assisted Suicide Implant for Dementia Patients: https://tinyurl.com/22dcf5u2 accessed 6-7-25

Trials for Artificial Blood: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/japan-to-begin-clinical-trials-for-artificial-blood-this-year/

Average Age of U.S. Moms Giving Birth Rises: https://tinyurl.com/23fxth87 accessed 6-16-25

Find strength and courage in your faith at this year’s FEARLESS FAITH Conference. Inspired by Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous,” join us Saturday, September 13, at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School in Jackson, Wisconsin, for presentations on navigating life’s storms, understanding God’s peace, and engaging in crucial conversations about euthanasia, anorexia, abortion, prenatal genetic testing, and more. Hear powerful journeys of faith through loss and hope. Don’t miss this empowering event! $50 in person or $40 virtual. Register now: https://christianliferesources.com/resources/events/2025-conference/

Support the show