The Addictions That Destroy Series

OPENING

SENTENCE: On Facebook the other day I ran across a post that reveals the heart of a young girl toward her father.

INTRODUCTION: It reads: Dear “Dad", Don’t worry, I'm fine. You were a good dad when you were clean. but you could never seem to stay that way. It seemed like even I wasn't enough to make you change, but sometimes I could tell I made you want to. The drugs and the addiction had far more control over you, than the love you had for me. I have always tried to understand how you chose a high over your own daughters. How come I wasn't enough to make you stop using? At what point in this addiction battle do I just throw in the towel? I'm tired of the Rollercoaster of addiction and I'm just a passenger. I'm daddy's little girl. And I'm watching daddy kill himself with this addiction. My heart goes out to everyone that's ever had to struggle with addiction.

This sad reflection of a daughter is a commentary on how everyone hurts because of an addiction. And, like her, they wonder, “What is wrong with me that he would not love me enough to stop?”

David Sheff has written an outstanding book, titled Beautiful Boy. The story is a personal narrative of battling with his son’s meth abuse. Sheff reminds us that addiction affects those around the individual just as deeply as the individual. Just as more than one person suffers because of an addiction more than one person must recover from the hurt and distrust. Sheff also points out that it does not help anyone to tiptoe around the issue- it cannot be ignored. He shows how facts and details—knowledge—is far more important than fear, doubt or denial. In the end, it can be hopeful, life-affirming and entirely rewarding.

TRANSITION

SENTENCE: These addictions also have a destructive effect on marriages and we all have all seen it, heard the stories, or experienced it yourself.

TRANSITION: The problem is that only the addict can make the changes needed to restore normalcy. Others, at best, can only keep from enabling the addict.

SAY WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SAY: In that light this morning I want us to address the question, “How can we overcome the addictions that enslave and destroy our marriages?” We will look at three things, 1. There is a moral, spiritual standard God calls us to live by, 2. The death and resurrection provide the path to victory and, 3. God has provided the Holy Spirit to do what you cannot do.

TEXT: Romans 7-8

THEME: The Spirit of God frees a person from the addictions that destroy marriages.

How can we overcome the addictions that enslave and destroy our marriages?

I. There is a moral, spiritual standard that God gives for us in the law. (14-24)

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 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. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

A. The law of God informs you of what sin is. While we all run the risk of being legalistic and self-righteous the solution is not to eliminate all the rules and laws that seem to oppress us. There is a standard and God has revealed in His Law. It reveals to us the essence of true holiness.

B. It reveals to you how far short of God’s standard you fall. To paraphrase he

is saying, I get up in the morning, I set my face for what I know I should do—the Law