One of the first and most important truths for overcoming addiction is that our actions will never change until our thinking does...
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: ”
Let me begin by saying that I struggled with addiction to alcohol and drugs for most of my life. It’s been over sixteen years since God delivered me from that stronghold. I only wish that I had found deliverance from it much sooner.
I now live with the scars of my sinful choices, and with knowing the pain I caused the ones I love most in this world--my own family.
While it’s true I'm thankful the Lord is mercifully restoring my life in so many beautiful ways—I still live with consequences of my sin.
If only I could go back and change the wrong choices I made then…but I can’t.
But just maybe, by sharing what God has done and continues to do for me, I can help someone else now. That's my prayer.
Maybe it’s you who knows what it’s like to be caught up in the terrible stronghold of addiction. Or maybe it’s you who has a loved one struggling to break free from alcohol, drugs or some other addiction.
I know this post may not be for everyone, but just maybe you are here reading this because it’s for you.
Thinking of writing this post, I thought…what is it that I wish I could have known and realized all those years ago? What if I could write a letter to myself then?
First I would say...
You are deeply loved by Jesus. No matter whatever else you think right now, you are being pursued by God.
He wants to redeem your life from the hand of the enemy and set you free to live the abundant life He created you to live.
No matter how much you’ve tried to change and failed…There is HOPE!!!
Never ever give up seeking deliverance from the stronghold of addiction.
Then I would start with this truth of how our actions will never change until our thinking does...
Spiritual warfare is Real—the battle is for control of our heart.
During the continuous battle for our heart, we have two opposing forces from which we can choose to yield to: The Spirit or the flesh.
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
This video of Bro. Steve Curington, the Founder of Reformers Unanimous, explains this reality:
God used Bro. Curington's ministry, Reformers Unanimous, to be the instrument through which I was to learn how to have a daily personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Fifteen years ago, I came to the point of total surrender. The Lord made it possible for me to go to the Reformers Unanimous Discipleship School in Rockford, Illinois on September 24, 2007.
Part of the six-month discipleship program included watching videos like the one above each morning before our Bible-reading and devotion time.
As I continue sharing the truths for overcoming addiction, I will be referencing much of what I was taught there. I wholeheartedly recommend their ministry to anyone who is ready to be set free finally!
The one thing that ministry did for me, and I want to do as I write these posts: Turn the addicted to Jesus—giving Him all the glory—because it’s Jesus alone Who has the power to overcome every stronghold!
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Join me for Part Two: HERE
