Break Free!

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.  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. (Romans 7:18-19)

Perhaps you have felt like Paul at times. You Love the Lord and desire to please him, but you find yourself falling again and again to the same struggles. Your flesh always seems to win.  Addiction is a lie and a trick from the enemy to keep you from living a free life.  Addictions can come in many different forms.  Your battle may be with food, sex, prescription drugs, shopping, or alcohol, to name a few. Whatever your personal battle may be, please know that the addiction is lying to you.  It entices you, and you begin to believe you need it to make it through the day. You say to yourself: it will be the last time; just one more; I’ll stop tomorrow; I simply can’t control my impulsive behavior; it won’t hurt anyone.  NOT TRUE!  DO NOT BE DECEIVED!  God knows the choice you made, and every choice you make has consequences. Addiction is bondage, and can cause depression, anger, anxiety, and low self esteem. Addiction holds you back from reaching your dreams, in fact addiction usually kills your dreams!  Addiction can separate you from your loved ones.  You may have less love to offer them, and at the same time it can be hard to accept their love due to your guilt and shame. You are not the only one involved in your addiction.

Addictions are a powerful force, but the Lord has promised to give us the strength and wisdom to overcome.  God knows our sinful nature, and nothing we battle takes him by surprise. It is natural for the desires to come, but He wants us to make right choices.  Remember that all temptation starts with a single thought.  What you do with that thought is up to you. The Bible teaches us to take captive our thoughts. When the thought comes you can immediately choose to replace it with a new healthy thought. Do not allow yourself do dwell on the addictive thought.  What we put into our minds determines what comes out!   In the book of Philippians, Paul tells us to reprogram our minds with pure, honorable and admirable thoughts.  Take inventory of what you are watching on TV, the music you are listening to, and the people who you surround you. Ask yourself if these influences help you avoid the addictive behavior, or cave into it.  We live in a world that is so filled with self- indulgent quick fixes. However, overcoming addiction is not done with a quick fix. It usually takes dedication and hard work to break free. Pray and ask the Lord to help you to indulge on the pure things in life.

... but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6b-7)

It’s time to break free today!  Freedom will come from making right choices.  For some of you, this will mean seeking professional help.  For others, help from a friend or accountability partner.  Ultimately, it will come from putting God’s words into practice!  You can do it!  And when you DO over come the addiction, please know that your story can empower another person with the same struggles.  Note that I said WHEN you do, not if you do. God will use you and your story!

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. (Romans 6: 12-13)