How Can The Lord Help You Overcome Addictions?

Mayor Gerardo Balmori

The Salvation Army

Introduction:

People can find themselves addicted to many vices these days. Addictions can fall into many

categories that are both conscious and unconscious obsessions: drugs, lusts, bad habits, anger,

vengeance, politics, intrigue, gossiping, selfishness, gluttony, envy, jealousy, leisure time activities,

immorality, etc. Well meaning people can even find themselves addicted to good things that block

them from giving their primary love to the Lord Jesus. The following are some of the Biblical

guidelines for overcoming a variety of addictions.

1. Whatever you allow yourself to be addicted to becomes one of your

masters.

Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters." Paul writes, "Don't you know that when you offer

yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey - whether

you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But

thanks be to God that though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of

teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have slaves to

righteousness. (Rom. 6:16-18)

2. Ask the Lord's help in giving your service exclusively to the Lord and His

purposes.

Paul writes, "Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to everincreasing

wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness. (Rom. 6:19)

3. Consider the advantages of being led by God versus the disadvantages of

being led by your addiction.

Paul writes, "The mind controlled by the controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. The sinful mind

is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful

nature cannot please God. (Rom. 8:6-8)

4. Choose freedom rather than slavery.

Paul writes, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let

yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal. 5:1)

5. Learn to live by the Spirit's directive rather than your fleshly pleasures.

Paul writes, "Live by the Spirit and you not gratify the desires ofthe sinful nature. (Gal 5:16)

6. Consider the shame and eternal consequences of giving into your

addictions.

Jesus said, "Why do you call me "Lord, Lord: and do not do what I say? (Lk. 6:46) Then Jesus said,

to them, "The Son of Man is Lord ofthe Sabbath." (Lk. 6:5) Since Jesus is Lord, He deserves to be

Lord of all aspects of your life - your time, talents and activities.

7. Worship the Lord through all aspects of your life, not just portions.

Paul writes, "Therefore, I urge you brothers in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living

sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any

longer 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. (Rom.

12:1,2)

8. Consider the effects that your addiction will have for your witness,

relationships and your reputation.

Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom

you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor

God with your body. (I Cor. 6:19,20)

9. Ask the Lord to help you gain wisdom into choosing what is best over

what is merely a passing grade.

Paul writes, "Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial. Everything is

permissible for me - but I will not be mastered by anything. (I Cor. 6:12)

10. Learn to choose things on the basis of God's priorities with the counsel

of wise spiritual counselors.

Realize that only by loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength and mind can you overcome

all conscious and unconscious addictions. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart,

soul, strength and mind and your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10;27)