Gambling Spiritual Meaning
- Gambling Spiritual Meaning Dictionary
- Gambling Spiritual Meaning Synonyms
- Gambling Spiritual Meaning Spiritual
- Clarence L. Haynes Jr.Contributing Writer
- 202021 Oct
Many Christians wonder if gambling is a sin and what the Bible has to say about it. While casinos, lotteries, and other of today's get rich quick games aren't specifically mentioned within the Bible, God has still warned against the temptation. Most often when people gamble it is because they become addicted to the love of money. The idea of opening your Third Eye can mean one of two things. In relation to Chakras, to open your Third Eye is to unblock it of negative energy so that spiritual energy can pass freely from one Chakra to the next, all the way from the Root Chakra to the Crown Charka. There is no one single cause of gambling addiction. Instead, there are multiple causes that can be grouped into four basic categories. These four categories are: 1) biological causes, 2) psychological causes, 3) socio-cultural causes, and 4) spiritual causes. Psychologists call this the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Model of addiction.
The question of gambling is a very interesting one and is one that can lead to debate within Christian circles. Within the pages of Scripture there are certain things that are clearly defined as sinful leaving no room for debate on the topic. For example, adultery. You don’t have to ask the question, it is wrong and always will be wrong.
Gambling on God is a December 11, 2020 daily devo tion als on line news piece. To the gambler, fate offers a lifetime of chances and grants the gambler special abilities to control them. Although the very meaning of the word “chance” implies lack or loss of control, the gambler believes he or she is a member of an exclusive class of people. But it does mean that no one should ever get drunk. Then alcohol becomes the primary determiner of our actions rather than the Holy Spirit. The same principle applies to any substance or activity, gambling included. If gambling rather than the Spirit is controlling your life, stop and get help now. The basic temptation in life.
However, everything in the Bible is not clearly black and white, there are some grey areas. These areas in Scripture need a little more clarification and can lead to differing opinions as to whether the action or behavior is right or wrong.
The question 'is gambling sinful?' falls into this area. Because there is no verse in the Bible that says 'thou shall not gamble,' we must use the principles of Scripture to determine if gambling is right or wrong or if gambling is sinful or not. Ultimately you have to make up your mind; but let me give you what I believe are some good thoughts and questions to consider.
The Most Important Question to Ask about Gambling
The most important question you should be asking about gambling is not 'is gambling sinful?' Neither is it 'should you be gambling or not?' The most important question to ask regarding gambling is 'why do you want to gamble?'
This question alone gets to the heart of the matter which in turn exposes your motivation. Many times, when it comes to grey areas of Scripture, understanding why you want to do something can help you determine whether you should do it or not.
Let me explain why this is a biblical approach to this matter. Consider what Paul says:
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. – 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NLT)
If you take this Scripture on face value, Paul is saying you can choose to do anything you want, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for you or beneficial for you. It doesn’t automatically mean it’s sinful, but maybe it’s not in your best interests to continue in that behavior.
For example, there is nothing wrong with watching sports. However, watching sports all day, every day, and neglecting your wife and kids in the process may not be in your best interest. Often things that are not beneficial can also eventually become sinful.
I believe gambling falls into that category. It is allowable...but is it beneficial? Whether you declare it sinful or not, it is probably an activity you may want to avoid. The problem is not directly with the activity, the problem is what the activity can produce in you. Here are four attitudes I want you to consider.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/vladans
Four Dangerous Attitudes Gambling Can Produce in You
1. Greed
Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. – 1 Timothy 6:9-10
As I mentioned earlier, the most important question to ask about gambling is why you want to do it. For many gambling is a means to “get rich” and it potentially exposes a love of money or a greedy desire within you, neither of which are good for you.
If you see gambling as a means of getting quick money or a ticket to the good life, then you are in trouble—because your motivations are wrong. In this case, I would say run and don’t look back.
2. Idolatry
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. – Matthew 6:24
I don’t know how many people view gambling as a form of idolatry, but it is. Idolatry is an intense admiration, love, or esteem for something or someone. It is very easy to see how money can fall into this category, and by nature gambling, because you see it as a means to get the money you want. I am not saying that all people who gamble will fall into idolatry, I am saying this is a potential pitfall into sin.
3. Addiction
A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty. – Proverbs 28:19 (NLT)
One of the realities of gambling is that it has an addictive tendency. Once you start, you may not want to stop. It leads you to forever chase the fantasy of winning, even when you are losing. Now, just because it has an addictive tendency doesn’t automatically make gambling sinful. There are plenty of other activities that have addictive tendencies such as food, television, or quite honestly...almost anything.
The problem with gambling is that false narrative that you can win and even if you lose you are one score away from getting it all back. Chasing that fantasy has the potential to lead you to poverty and potential ruin.
4. The Lure of Easy Money
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. – Proverbs 13:11 (ESV)
Gambling is a quick way to obtain money without having to pay the price to get it. Unfortunately, what usually comes quickly, goes just as quickly. Many times, leaving the person worse off than before.
A friend of mine had a brother who won 1 million dollars and it was gone in less than a year. Chances are, the money you get from gambling will probably be gone before you know it.
The One Big Problem about Gambling You Can’t Overlook
If there is one big problem which would lead me to say gambling is sinful, it is the problem of misplaced trust. So, ask yourself—before you engage in gambling behavior—what are you putting your trust in? This is another question that points to the motivation of your heart.
Again, your 'why' matters a lot here. If you're looking at this activity as your way out, your chance to move up, or your hope of any kind, then you have misplaced your trust. You have replaced trust in God with trust in something else.
In this case, you have placed your trust in whatever you are betting on.
When you view gambling from this point, it goes beyond the 'dollar and a dream' or 'you have to be in it to win it.' It boils down to: will you trust God as your source? Or, will you look to another?
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. – Psalm 20:7-8
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Is it Ever Acceptable for Christians to Gamble?
This is another question that falls into the grey area just like 'is gambling sinful.' Let me give you some scenarios that make this question challenging.
You go on a cruise and decide to go into the casino and put money in the slot machine. Or, you decide to play one of the other games there. Is that gambling? Is that acceptable? Is that sinful? How do you answer these types of questions?
I believe the best way to answer these types of questions is by going back to the original most important question, why do you want to do it? I would also remember what Paul said: it may be allowable but is it beneficial?
The One Exception Where Gambling Will Always Be Sinful
Regardless of how you feel about the subject, there is one incidence where engaging in this activity is always wrong, no questions asked. Let’s look at 1 Corinthians again, but add the next verse:
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. – 1 Corinthians 10:23-24
When your “freedom” or opinion on a matter can potentially hurt someone else, then consider that other person ahead of yourself. However you feel about gambling, if your participation in that activity will cause someone else to stumble, then it is sinful to do that.
Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. – 1 Corinthians 8:13
Conclusion
When you consider the question 'is gambling sinful,' there are two important things to remember. The first is, your reason why matters a lot.
Second, your impact (or influence on others) in choosing what you will do also matters a lot.
Ultimately, the question that will drive your opinion on this is not just 'is it sinful?' but instead, 'is it beneficial?' I cannot recommend that you go out and gamble and I won’t call you the most sinful person if you do.
I would say be very careful because what may seem innocent at first has the potential to lead to dangerous sin in your life.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Bet_Noire
Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, author and co-founder of The Bible Study Club. He has spent more than 30 years serving the body of Christ in various capacities and has just released his first book, The Pursuit of Purpose. If you have ever struggled trying to find God’s will, this book will help you discover the different ways God leads you into his perfect will. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com.
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Bible verses about gambling
Many people wonder is gambling a sin? Although there might not be a clear cut verse from what we learn in Scripture I strongly believe it is a sin and all Christians should stay away from it. It is terrible to see that some churches are bringing gambling in the house of God. The Lord is not pleased.
Many people are going to say, well the Bible doesn’t specifically say you can’t do it. The Bible doesn’t specifically say you can’t do a lot of things that we know as sin.
Many people find any excuse they can give for what is wrong, but just like Satan deceived Eve he will deceive many by saying, did God really say you can’t do that?
Quotes
- “Gambling is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.” – George Washington
- “Gambling is a sickness, a disease, an addiction, an insanity, and is always a loser in the long run.”
- “Gambling can be just as addictive as drugs and alcohol. Teens and their parents need to know that they’re not just gambling with money, they’re gambling with their lives.”
- “Gambling is the sure way of getting nothing for something.”
Gambling is of the world, it is very addicting, and it will cause you harm.
Gambling is loving something that is part of the cruel world, not only is it dangerous especially back in the days where many were being plotted on and murdered for their money. Gambling is very addictive, you can go into a casino one day thinking I’m going to spend this much, then leave without your car. For some people it’s that bad and it can become even worse.
I’ve heard many stories about people losing their lives for owing money and people losing their lives by committing suicide because of the money they lost. Many people have lost their houses, spouses, and kids over their gambling addiction. You might say that I don’t gamble that much, but it doesn’t matter. Even if it is small fun gambling it is sin and it should not be done. Always remember that sin grows overtime. Your heart becomes harder, your desires become greedier, and it will turn into something that you never saw coming.
1. 1 Corinthians 6:12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say–but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”–but I will not be mastered by anything.
2. 2 Peter 2:19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity–for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”
3. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
4. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.
5. Proverbs 15:27 The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
Gambling leads to more sin.
Not only does gambling lead to deeper and deeper covetousness, but it leads to different types of sin. When you go to the movie theater and buy popcorn they make it extra buttery so you will buy their expensive drinks. When you go to casinos they promote alcohol. When you are not sober you will be trying to kick back and spend more money. Many people who are addicted to gambling are also living in drunkenness. Prostitutes are always near casinos. They entice men who seem like high rollers and they entice men who are down on their luck. It is not a surprise that most casinos promote sensuality and women.
6. James 1:14-15 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Scripture teaches that we are to be on guard against covetousness.
7. Exodus 20:17 Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
8. Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.
9. Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
As Christians we are to fix our attitudes on money.
10. Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
11. Luke 16:13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
What is your eye gazing upon?
Your chance of winning the lottery on a single ticket is one in 175 million. That means that someone has to really be greedy and have dreams of riches to still try and play the lottery. You have to pay for more and more tickets because of your greed and what you are really doing is emptying your pockets because of your covetousness.
Most gamblers throw money away. Most people who go to casinos lose money that could have been used for paying bills or on the less fortunate, but instead people would rather throw it away. It is wasting God’s money on evil, which is similar to stealing.
12. Luke 11:34-35 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.
13. Proverbs 28:22 Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
14. Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
15. Proverbs 28:20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.
We are to be hard workers.
The Bible teaches us to work hard and worry about others. Gambling teaches us to do the opposite. In fact, many of the people who play the lottery are poor. Gambling destroys something that God intended for good. You have to understand that the devil is using it to destroy the foundation of work.
16. Ephesians 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
17. Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.
18. Proverbs 10:4 Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
19. Proverbs 28:19 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
Gambling Spiritual Meaning Dictionary
Gambling and betting is giving the appearance of evil.
What would you think if you went inside a casino and you saw your pastor holding money in one hand and rolling dice in another? That picture just wouldn’t look right would it? Now picture yourself doing the same thing. Society does not look at gambling as being honest. The betting industry is a dark world filled with crime. Google treats gambling websites like pornography websites. Gambling websites contain a lot of viruses.
20. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Many churches want to turn God’s house into a place to play bingo and other gambling activities, which is wrong. God’s house is not a place to make profit. It is a place to worship the Lord.
21. John 2:14-16 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
Gambling Spiritual Meaning Synonyms
Gambling is not trusting in the Lord.
One of the greatest problems of gambling is it takes away from trusting in the Lord. God says I will provide for your needs. Satan says roll the dice there might be a chance that you win and become filthy rich. You see the problem. When you trust in God nothing is by chance. God provides for our needs and God gets all the glory. Gambling is showing that you don’t really trust in the Lord.
22. Isaiah 65:11 But because the rest of you have forsaken the LORD and have forgotten his Temple, and because you have prepared feasts to honor the god of Fate and have offered mixed wine to the god of Destiny.
23. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Reminders
24. Proverbs 3:7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
25. Proverbs 23:4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.
In conclusion.
You have a higher chance of being struck by lighting than winning the lottery. Most gambling is not made for you to win. It’s made for you to dream about what if I did win. Gambling fails in its attempt to give people hope because most people spend thousands of dollars for nothing. Just take a thousand dollars and throw it in the garbage that is exactly what gamblers do over the course of time. When you have greed you will always lose more than you gain. Gambling is bad for your health and it violates many Scriptures as seen above. Seek hard work and trust in the Lord with your income.