For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. - Romans 7:18
Before following Christ, Nan Nan loved to play cards. She was a full-time housewife who took her daughter to and from school. She spent idle time playing cards at a place opposite to her house. To kill time and earn money from the pockets of other people, she became addicted to playing cards.
After accepting Jesus, she believed her hobby was not beneficial to herself, her family or God, but after many attempts she failed to stop playing. After abstaining for a few days, she gave into temptation and came back to the card table.
Her husband said, "You, need to first stop eating before you can get rid of your addiction." Indeed, her addiction was as important as her desire for meals.
Later a pastor came to preach in her county church, saying that some people had turned to evil habits and were engaged in playing cards and gambling, all the while knowing they were sinning. While some of them went to worship at church, they played cards at home, greedy for money.
The pastor's word pierced her heart. As a Christian, she immediately felt ashamed. Though the pastor did not mean to criticize her personally, she became unhappy because playing cards and gambling were sins and her actions were not finding favor in the eyes of God.
She determined to quit the habit, vowing not to gamble any more and to live a new Christian life. However, the devil occupied her heart. Giving in to the unceasing coaxing and pestering of her poker buddies, she resumed her hobby.
Soon after she resumed playing cards again, a pastor gave a sermon in her church. Nan asked him earnestly, "Pastor Wang, I want to get rid of the cards, but the addiction is in my heart, what should I do?"
Taking out the Bible, the pastor showed her a verse, "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? The Holy Spirit comes from God and dwells in your midst..."
Fearful of God and the future judgement for herself, she was resolved to abstain from playing cards and be a person whom God could take pleasure in. Giving up was easier said than done.
The temptation was great, but she refused to go with her friends who tried many times to drag her back into the games.
Now that she has been successful in giving up playing cards, she has become involved in full-time ministry. Thanks to her outstanding performance, she has been promoted to serve as the chairperson of a committee on her church board, in charge of finance.
- Translated by Karen Luo
见证故事：楠楠戒牌
我也知道，在我里头，就是肉体之中，没有良善。因为，立志行善由得我，只是行出来由不得我。——罗7：18
还没信主前，楠楠就喜欢跟别人打字牌。那时，楠楠是个无职无业的家庭妇女，平时就接送上幼儿园的女儿，空闲时就到对面打字牌消磨时间。为了打发时间，也为了别人口袋里的钱，楠楠迷上了打字牌。
信主后，她觉得打牌对自己、对家庭、对神都不好，几次想戒，可经不起试探，戒了几天又走到牌桌边。他丈夫见了，说她：“你呀，想把牌戒掉，先把饭戒掉！”可不是吗，楠楠对牌有瘾，它就像饭一样重要，想离也离不开。
后来，蒋新玲牧师来县福音堂讲道，说，有些人不看重罪孽，明知自己在犯罪，还去打牌赌博；有人在教堂做礼拜，在家里却打牌，对玛门有贪念。一番话，说到楠楠心里去了，已经信主的她顿觉无地自容。虽然蒋新玲牧师不是点名道姓的说她，可她听了，心里也很难受，因为自己是个基督徒，打牌赌博就是犯罪啊，自己的行为也不讨神喜悦。
楠楠决定戒牌，发誓不再赌博了，做个活出新生命的基督徒。可是，她心里的魔鬼依然存在，她架不住牌友们的软磨硬泡，又打起牌来。
不久，王权牧师来县福音堂讲道。趁着这个机会，很想戒牌的楠楠诚恳的问他：“王牧师，我想把牌戒掉，可心里老是有瘾，怎么办呢？”王权牧师听后，就拿出《圣经》，翻开《歌林多前书》，把一段经文指给她看：“岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗？这圣灵从神而来，住在你们里头的……她很敬神，也很怕神对自己的审判。但她也很感谢神通过这段经文教导自己，于是下定决心：“把牌戒掉，做神喜悦的人。”
戒牌说起来容易，做起来却难。打字牌对发誓要戒牌的楠楠来说诱惑依然很大。而对面的牌友见楠楠不来打牌了，就主动拖她去打牌。可是楠楠敬畏神，被拖了好几次，拖不动，就再也不拖了。
现在，成功戒牌的楠楠全身心地投入服侍主的事工中，由于表现突出，还当上了县福音堂堂委，主管财务，灵命更加成熟，也更加亲近主了。
For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. - Romans 7:18
Before following Christ, Nan Nan loved to play cards. She was a full-time housewife who took her daughter to and from school. She spent idle time playing cards at a place opposite to her house. To kill time and earn money from the pockets of other people, she became addicted to playing cards.
After accepting Jesus, she believed her hobby was not beneficial to herself, her family or God, but after many attempts she failed to stop playing. After abstaining for a few days, she gave into temptation and came back to the card table.
Her husband said, "You, need to first stop eating before you can get rid of your addiction." Indeed, her addiction was as important as her desire for meals.
Later a pastor came to preach in her county church, saying that some people had turned to evil habits and were engaged in playing cards and gambling, all the while knowing they were sinning. While some of them went to worship at church, they played cards at home, greedy for money.
The pastor's word pierced her heart. As a Christian, she immediately felt ashamed. Though the pastor did not mean to criticize her personally, she became unhappy because playing cards and gambling were sins and her actions were not finding favor in the eyes of God.
She determined to quit the habit, vowing not to gamble any more and to live a new Christian life. However, the devil occupied her heart. Giving in to the unceasing coaxing and pestering of her poker buddies, she resumed her hobby.
Soon after she resumed playing cards again, a pastor gave a sermon in her church. Nan asked him earnestly, "Pastor Wang, I want to get rid of the cards, but the addiction is in my heart, what should I do?"
Taking out the Bible, the pastor showed her a verse, "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? The Holy Spirit comes from God and dwells in your midst..."
Fearful of God and the future judgement for herself, she was resolved to abstain from playing cards and be a person whom God could take pleasure in. Giving up was easier said than done.
The temptation was great, but she refused to go with her friends who tried many times to drag her back into the games.
Now that she has been successful in giving up playing cards, she has become involved in full-time ministry. Thanks to her outstanding performance, she has been promoted to serve as the chairperson of a committee on her church board, in charge of finance.
- Translated by Karen Luo
Testimony: Full-time Housewife Gets Rid of Card Addiction, Works for God Diligently
