[Contents]What is a Cokeholic? One who gets drunk on Coca-Cola, well, maybe not drunk in the same way an alcoholic gets drunk on alcohol but the addition is similar. The addictive agent, in soft drinks, is sugar which can produce withdrawal symptoms depending on the strength of the addition and other physiological factors.
My addition demanded at least 1/2 galleon of Coca-Cola every day to be satisfied as well as potato chips or fried foods. Oil and sugar seem to be intricately involved in my addictive personality.
In 1978, I was still an immature Christian (am I a mature Christian now, in 1998?) but the faith, Christ planted in my heart, was growing. Becoming acutely aware that addiction to Coke-Cola wasn't pleasing to God, not to mention being expensive and fattening, He created, in my mind, a desire to quite drinking and eating sugary foods and soft drinks, but I found it difficult, as usual, to trust God by faith and stop the addiction cycle.
In those days, Sevilla and I had just become aware of the power of claiming God's promises in our lives. The Bible is replete with thousands of promises that God has made to us, some conditional on our response, others are unconditional, things he does simply because He loves us. One of those unconditional promises is, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens us." Phil. 4:13.
Through faith, without presumption, a Christian may take one of God's promises, such as this one, remind Him of it in prayer, then claim it as being accomplished. Because I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me, then I could stop drinking Coke-Cola a as well, I reasoned.
I still vividly remember the morning, in 1978, when, walking to the bus stop at the corner, I prayed this prayer with respect to the addiction. The answer was instantaneous. As the bus stopped and I boarded it, I knew the Lord had heard and answered the prayer of faith, not because I did anything but because God honored his promises.
Not since that day, nearly twenty years ago, have I tasted Coke-Cola or any other soft drink. I reasoned, correctly, that the taste of this type of beverage would closely resemble the taste of Coke, revitalizing my desire for the addiction. For several months, after the Lord removed my desire for Coke, I found it necessary to avoid the beverage aisle in the grocery store.
Where there any withdrawal symptoms? No! However, today, even holding a can of Coke or hearing or smelling the carbonated fiz from a soft drink revitalizes the temptation. Satan is a diligent enemy. Once having fallen on into this trap, I am never truly free without Christ's constant restraining influence. Should I ever indulge in a soft drink, I am convinced the addiction would instantly return with a vengeance.
Praise the Lord!
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