Everyone who struggles with addictive behaviour holds many beliefs about themselves that are not consistent with who they are in Christ. The Bible says Satan accuses us day and night before God. Our bodies and minds scream at us that we are “an addict”, “a no-good sinner”, and “worthless”. These are lies that got us to being in bondage to our addiction and they will keep us vulnerable to relapse unless, with God’s help, we deal with them. The ultimate lie is to believe that freedom from our addictive behaviour is not possible or that attaining a life of meaning and purpose is too difficult.
It’s true that moral guidance and counsel need to be given, but the way you say it and to whom you say it are as important as what you say. It’s obvious, isn’t it, that the law code isn’t primarily for people who live responsibly, but for the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever! They are contemptuous of this great Message I’ve been put in charge of by this great God. (1Timothy 1:8-11 MSG)
Who do the tapes playing in my head say that I am? Who does God say I am? What are my felt needs right now? How does God say He will meet those needs? Where do I think my life seems headed? What does God say about His plans for me? These are questions I must consider and then make a choice as to which information I will base my beliefs and actions on today. Is it freedom I actually want or more of the same bondage from things that held me captive in the past? How I got to where I am is by my flawed thinking and faulty solutions. Where I go from here can be significantly different as I choose to apply God’s freeing truth to my daily living.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13 NIV)
In spite of our rebellion against God’s word, God stands with outstretched arms inviting us to come to Him. He has promised to be our provider and to meet all of our needs through His Son Jesus who said:
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? (Luke 12:25-28 NLT)
God says He loves and knows everything about us. His amazing grace is poured out on us as we commit to His ways. Will you accept what He says about you? Will you honour Him and seek to follow His ways in all that you do and say?
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