Denial is described as a refusal to admit the truth or reality of a situation. Denial is a coping mechanism people use to help them deal with uncomfortable memories or circumstances. People who have lived in addiction for some time may live in a conscious or unconscious level of denial which is difficult to sort out. However, God calls us to live in truth and God will lead us into all truth by the power of His Holy Spirit who comes to live in us when we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NLT)
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. (John 16:13 NLT)
The first step towards recovery is in recognizing and admitting that we have a dependency on a substance and/or a person. Denial of that fact is the first obstacle we must overcome. When we are in denial we truly believe that we do not have a problem with dependency and we certainly don’t need help. Others may have challenged our behaviour and associated dependency but we continue to deny that any problem even exists. Step 1 of the 12 Step Program reminds us: We admitted we were powerless over our dependency and that our life had become unmanageable. Failure to acknowledge this keeps us from seeking the help we need and taking the steps necessary to get well.
Each of us needs to ask God to help us identify denial in our own lives: In what ways am I vulnerable to denial? How does God’s love and presence in my life help me overcome denial and walk in life-giving truth? Where am I in need of God’s help today to turn from denial to truth and responsible living?
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. 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. (Romans 7:18-20 NIV)
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