It’s like an unquenchable thirst. Needing something so badly, that the rest of your day and the rest of your life is built around that one thing. It can start slowly and start small, then build to a bigger, and bigger, and bigger problem until you’ve lost control and don’t even know how you got to that point. You can be addicted to anything—sex, drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography, sports, video games. Some of these addictions seem more destructive on the outside, but all addictions lead to the loss of self and to hurting not only ourselves but also everyone around us who loves us. God has a better plan.
Admit you have a problem. You have to decide you’ve had enough of what this thing has done to your life and to your relationships. Enough is enough. This means you’ve hit your “bottom” and want to find a way back and a way up to the kind of life you so desperately want to live. You’ve got to admit that you have a problem, but that alone is not enough. You must also be willing to take the next step.
Ask God’s forgiveness. The first thing we must realize is that God is the One we are sinning against. David said, “Against you and you only have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4, NLT). Sin defined is simply falling short of the mark. It creates distance between us and God, our loving Creator. Guess what? Sin happens. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Without God, you will constantly fall short of the mark.
Tired of fighting this addiction on your own? Let God fight it with you. The beautiful thing about God’s kingdom is that it begins inside of you. That’s how God does His work in us. He begins a work in our hearts, like a small seed in the ground. Now, that seed is not visible to the naked eye once it’s buried deep in the ground, but with time, sun, and rain, the evidence of that seed will be unmistakable. Wait until that thing is a mighty oak tree! God says he will plant us like oaks of righteousness in the house of the Lord (Isaiah 61:3). Oaks take time to grow, so the point is: get ready for the long haul. True, God is also in the business of instant deliverance. If that’s the way He chooses to deliver you, then that’s awesome! However, if not, be prepared to walk it out. You may still stumble and make mistakes. But He still loves you, and He will gently lift you up and put you back on your feet. That’s where the next step comes in.
Get accountability. You cannot fight this war on your own. You’ve already tried that. How’s that been working for you? No man or woman can withstand the power of sin, no matter how strong his or her willpower may be. We need two things to fight sin: God and each other. James 5:16 says to confess our sins to one another, so that we may be healed. Confession of sin to another brother or sister brings healing. Wisdom would suggest that we be selective about whom we share our deepest, darkest secrets with. It must be someone you trust implicitly, who would not break confidence by spreading gossip.
It’s great that you have repented of sin, but what’s your action plan now? We must take the step to remove ourselves from situations where we are doomed for failure. If you’re addicted to pornography, it’s not a good idea to sit up late at night on the computer, alone in your room with the lights off. If you’re an alcoholic, steer clear of the bars and clubs—places that you know appeal to your weakness. Also, think of some alternative solutions. Consider moving the computer out to a public area in the house so you aren’t tempted to visit those sensual websites. Perhaps you can channel your aggressive, competitive energy into a team sport, rather than gambling. The point is to remove yourself from situations that you know cause you to stumble. Your accountability partner can help hold you accountable to taking this step.
Plant yourself in a local church. God has things for you that can only be accessed through a fellowship of a local body of believers. Paul said, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25, NLT). Jesus Himself, although He was God, went to church on a regular basis (Luke 4:15-16). This is absolutely essential to the Christian life. The family of God is there to love you, challenge you, and pull your gifts and talents from you so that you can contribute to His kingdom. We would love to be that place for you, where you can be loved, and rooted in worship and study of God’s word.
Ready to take that next step?
We want to hear from you. Call us, email us, join in the blog….let us know about you, and what you are facing. We are here to help and here to stand with you as you start the journey to recovery.
Addiction
