How to Overcome Addictions?

[gcdonner]

I think it would be useful for some people who've actually had addictions (and I mean real addictions) to comment on how they've overcome them. It's not very useful for people who don't really know what an addiction is like to remark on how they think people should overcome them.

I was addicted to cigarettes for a number of years before coming to Christ. I had at least a pack a day habit. The night I committed my life to him I was delivered instantaneously and have never had another cigarette since nor had a desire to in 32 years.

That isn't the case for everyone, however. A friend of mine was delivered like this from drugs and alcohol at his conversion. However, six months later, when the Lord convicted him about smoking it was different. He was victorious over that too, but it was a definite battle for him.

God knows what we can handle, and what we need to learn yet. Let's not judge people just because it goes differently for them than it did for us.

I wasn't suggesting that, Lester, only giving my testimony as requested. I worked with a young man who was also addicted to cigarettes, whose father was a professing Christian and had continued to smoke and figured if God convicted him of it he would quit.
My suggestion to the young man was to pray and ask God to show him very definitely whether is was wrong or not. We prayed in agreement with him over this (it was in a home bible study I taught). The next week he came back all excited and told us of his experience. He worked at a machine shop, and during break time some of the fellows would play poker. They asked him to join him and he replied that he didn't gamble. After lunch was over, he went back to his machine and lit up a cigarette. The same fellow came by and said to him in passing, "I thought you said you didn't gamble". Immediately, the young man was convicted of his sin by the Holy Spirit and quit smoking. The last time I saw him, about 5 years later, he was still not smoking and still serving the Lord.
There is NO one method that fits all individuals, except that EVERY addiction and deliverance from it, must begin with repentance by recognizing the problem and confessing it as sin, then seeking God's help. The process from there is determined by God and the circumstances/needs of the individual. Those who are helping need to ask for the gift of discerning of spirits. Some addictions are spiritually controlled and motivated.

[lesterb]

I was addicted to cigarettes for a number of years before coming to Christ. I had at least a pack a day habit. The night I committed my life to him I was delivered instantaneously and have never had another cigarette since nor had a desire to in 32 years.

That isn't the case for everyone, however. A friend of mine was delivered like this from drugs and alcohol at his conversion. However, six months later, when the Lord convicted him about smoking it was different. He was victorious over that too, but it was a definite battle for him.

God knows what we can handle, and what we need to learn yet. Let's not judge people just because it goes differently for them than it did for us.

I wasn't suggesting that, Lester, only giving my testimony as requested. I worked with a young man who was also addicted to cigarettes, whose father was a professing Christian and had continued to smoke and figured if God convicted him of it he would quit.
My suggestion to the young man was to pray and ask God to show him very definitely whether is was wrong or not. We prayed in agreement with him over this (it was in a home bible study I taught). The next week he came back all excited and told us of his experience. He worked at a machine shop, and during break time some of the fellows would play poker. They asked him to join him and he replied that he didn't gamble. After lunch was over, he went back to his machine and lit up a cigarette. The same fellow came by and said to him in passing, "I thought you said you didn't gamble". Immediately, the young man was convicted of his sin by the Holy Spirit and quit smoking. The last time I saw him, about 5 years later, he was still not smoking and still serving the Lord.
There is NO one method that fits all individuals, except that EVERY addiction and deliverance from it, must begin with repentance by recognizing the problem and confessing it as sin, then seeking God's help. The process from there is determined by God and the circumstances/needs of the individual. Those who are helping need to ask for the gift of discerning of spirits. Some addictions are spiritually controlled and motivated.

I agree with you. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Wade]

For me part of overcoming addiction was about never minimizing the addiction but clearly labeling it as sin. It took years but neither did I have an accountability partner so much which likely would have helped... I think it is important to keep in mind that we can overcome for good but because of the weakness it would also be wise if we can avoid places where that temptation might show up.
One time when I opened up to a brother(in Christ) about some of my related problems tied to my addiction when I was quite distressed, he replied firmly, "You let your family down, the church down, and God down..."

Thank God for his courage and a couple months later I thanked him and said, "That was exactly what I needed to hear." - Even if it was what I didn't want to hear.

[KingdomBuilder]

Addictions vary greatly, but I think an essential aspect of addiction-recovery for many is to source out the root of the issue and attack it there.
An important question to ask Christian addicts:
Why do you want to be delivered from addiction? Is it for yourself or for God?

Intention of resolution is a biggie, if you ask me.

[temporal1]

For me part of overcoming addiction was about never minimizing the addiction but clearly labeling it as sin. It took years but neither did I have an accountability partner so much which likely would have helped... I think it is important to keep in mind that we can overcome for good but because of the weakness it would also be wise if we can avoid places where that temptation might show up.
One time when I opened up to a brother(in Christ) about some of my related problems tied to my addiction when I was quite distressed, he replied firmly, "You let your family down, the church down, and God down..."

Thank God for his courage and a couple months later I thanked him and said, "That was exactly what I needed to hear." - Even if it was what I didn't want to hear.

Wade, you are a brave man.

[justme]

Why do you want to be delivered from addiction? Is it for yourself or for God?

i think the answer to that question is very important.

[Wade]

For me part of overcoming addiction was about never minimizing the addiction but clearly labeling it as sin. It took years but neither did I have an accountability partner so much which likely would have helped... I think it is important to keep in mind that we can overcome for good but because of the weakness it would also be wise if we can avoid places where that temptation might show up.
One time when I opened up to a brother(in Christ) about some of my related problems tied to my addiction when I was quite distressed, he replied firmly, "You let your family down, the church down, and God down..."

Thank God for his courage and a couple months later I thanked him and said, "That was exactly what I needed to hear." - Even if it was what I didn't want to hear.

Wade, you are a brave man.

It's more like this:
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

The reason why what he said was so good for me to hear was because it was truth. We read in Romans 8:37-39 - "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

But look closely, there is one thing that is not mentioned that can pull us away from the love of God... It is mentioned in James 1:12-14 "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."

The only thing that can separate us from the love of God is our own lust which points to the problem being: self!

[gcdonner]

It's more like this:
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

The reason why what he said was so good for me to hear was because it was truth. We read in Romans 8:37-39 - "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

But look closely, there is one thing that is not mentioned that can pull us away from the love of God... It is mentioned in James 1:12-14 "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."

The only thing that can separate us from the love of God is our own lust which points to the problem being: self!

Very good observations, Wade. I really like the passage in James for defining the process of sin. Some folks are overly sensitive in the process and others not sensitive enough. How do you ask?
Some people come into condemnation when they are being tempted, believing that they have already sinned and therefore stumble the more. Others don't realize the movement from temptation to actual sin and fall the harder because they didn't pay attention to the caution of the HS. Conviction is different than caution, and visa versa.

[Neto]

I read The Cross and the Switchblade in the '60s. One powerful point was people becoming free from addictions by the power of the Holy Spirit. Since the book was written, Wilkerson found out that being baptized in the Holy Spirit did not always free someone from heroin, but God still works through his Spirit.

This is certainly true, but without his help we are hopeless.

The issue is not with the Holy Spirit, however, but leaky vessels who don't follow his guidance and leading.

The Pentecostal experience is NOT a one time thing, contrary to many Charismatics and you can take that from a former Pentecostal preacher.

As the old song goes, ♫...I need thee every hour...♫

george, i appreciate what you have to say about God's power to heal, and the importance of the Holy Spirit in overcoming (sin.) you wrote about this on MD, i'm glad you're continuing to share about it on MN.

programs like AA acknowledge the presence of "a (generic) higher power" (i believe is their wording.)
but, you are correct, they maintain "once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic."
which does conflict with scriptures about God's power, and the Holy Spirit.

these programs are generally accepted as the best there is.
i don't mean to devalue them! i don't sense you do, either ..
but, i believe you are correct: there is room for improvement in better understanding of God's Word.

I just read this discussion through now. When I read this part of the conversation, I immediately thought of I Timothy 1:15, where Paul says that "The Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst," the prime example. He doesn't say "of whom I WAS the worst", but "AM the worst". Are we uncomfortable with an admission like that?

[temporal1]

This is certainly true, but without his help we are hopeless.

The issue is not with the Holy Spirit, however, but leaky vessels who don't follow his guidance and leading.

The Pentecostal experience is NOT a one time thing, contrary to many Charismatics and you can take that from a former Pentecostal preacher.

As the old song goes, ♫...I need thee every hour...♫

george, i appreciate what you have to say about God's power to heal, and the importance of the Holy Spirit in overcoming (sin.) you wrote about this on MD, i'm glad you're continuing to share about it on MN.

programs like AA acknowledge the presence of "a (generic) higher power" (i believe is their wording.)
but, you are correct, they maintain "once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic."
which does conflict with scriptures about God's power, and the Holy Spirit.

these programs are generally accepted as the best there is.
i don't mean to devalue them! i don't sense you do, either ..
but, i believe you are correct: there is room for improvement in better understanding of God's Word.

I just read this discussion through now.
When I read this part of the conversation, I immediately thought of I Timothy 1:15, where Paul says that "The Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst," the prime example.

He doesn't say "of whom I WAS the worst", but "AM the worst".
Are we uncomfortable with an admission like that?

well, Neto, i can only speak for myself, i make this admission.
but, i, also, see george's point about not underestimating the power of God to heal, and, i believe scriptural accounts of His healing.

this gives me faith, and hope. which i believe God wants us to have, He sent His Son, and the Holy Spirit, as Paul knew.

so we have Paul's conundrum, being "the worst," in our own eyes, but, somehow, miraculously, being of value in God's eyes.