Overcoming Addictions

OVERCOMING ADDICTIONS

One of the things that has kept most of us in serious bondage is ADDICTIONS. So many of us find ourselves in chains of serious addictions. Christians are not exempted from this. Some people are even addicted to things without even being aware of it. Addictions are so serious that I believe if we pick every ten people, we are likely to find about five out of the ten who are hooked to one addiction or the other.

"Addiction is a disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences"(Wikipedia). There are medical prescriptions for dealing with addictions but this article will treat addictions from a purely biblical point of view.

Addictions are spiritual. Addictions enslave us. Any negative habit you do continuously and find it difficult to stop is an addiction. Addictions are incredibly difficult to stop. Anyone involved in an addiction knows the negative consequences but are unable to stop the habit. Many a time, we stop for a while and fall back into the same habit again. Addictions can get very frustrating and depressing.

FIVE DEADLY ADDICTIONS

√ Pornography(fueled by lust)

√ Masturbation(fueled by lust)

√ Illicit Sex(fueled by lust)

√ Drugs

√ Alcohol

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ADDICTIONS

1. An addiction is a sin.(Romans 6:6-7)

2. Addictions will keep you from God.(1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

3. Addictions are not normal

4. Personal resolutions do not break addictions. Only God can.

5. You cannot overcome addictions on your own. You need God.

If you are struggling with any addiction today, please know that God can break that addiction in your life. Addictions are not tickets to hell. Don't feel condemned, the Grace of God is available to save you. In the part two of this article, we will look at some ways we can overcome addictions.

To be continued...................