Addiction
I know way too many people struggling with negative addictions. Lets face it, most of us deal with something that we're not happy about. I have wondered for years why so many of us Christians don't experience freedom from these negative addictions.
Here is my question, if we serve an almighty God, why don't we experience more victories over the those things that plague us? You know, those things that we hide in our secret closet and don't want anyone else to know about.
After we've tried to gain freedom over our burden(s), most of us end up accepting the struggle we face by saying, "I'm only human" or "I guess this is the thorn in my flesh" referring to the preceding scripture.
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
In all the times I've heard someone refer to this scripture, never does it say that this 'thorn in his flesh' had power over him. What it says is that even though it tormented him, and reminded him of his weakness, in that weakness-- Christ power would rest on him to make him strong enough to overcome.
So, what is your addiction?
anger, alcohol, over-eating, power, lust, greed...
I found it very interesting that the word used for addiction in the old testament is idolatry. Spiritually, addiction is a deep-seated form of idolatry. Idolatry is also defined as worship of any idea, or object, as opposed to the worship of God. Idolatry is in reality creating a God substitute.
Those of us struggling with an addiction, my purpose is not to condemn you, but encourage you. I refuse to believe we can't experience freedom from these idols in our life. The God we serve is way to big and powerful for us to be subject to something as small as an addiction. I also don't believe we need to wait for God to do something more. There is no more for God to do. He has already completed his work-- we just haven't apprehended it.
It is the working of the Holy Spirit that will produce in you the fruits that reflect the character of Christ. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control.
You can be free from whatever addiction that you've struggled with.
Addiction starts in the mind. That is the first and final battle ground. Do you want freedom, then realize that once you have victory over your thought life-- you will have victory in your walk.
Matthew 22:36-37 tells us to: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
Learn to love the Lord God with all of your mind. Make a conscious effort to keep your mind renewed and washed by the Word of God.
Science tell us that we have somewhere between 12,000 - 50,000 thoughts per day. 80% of those thoughts are non-sense or negative.
Many organizations (Buddist, New Age, Futurist) are adapting to what is called mindfulness. Being aware of the busyness of the mind and then turning to meditation to quiet the mind.
These organizations only got it half right. Our meditation needs to be on the Word of God.
In a nutshell, what I want to tell you today is that you can have freedom over any addiction that you may struggle with. Do not believe the lie that you can't be free. You must believe God's Word and know that if God can save you, He can deliver you. There is no limit to His power.
God has put us in charge of managing our lives. God is not going to do for you what He's given you power to do for yourself. Sometimes you have to just become militant about it and take the authority that God's given you, and rebuke the demons that have been speaking to your mind. Crying about it isn't gonna change your situation, but taking authority and doing something will.
So, if you want to be free.(really want to) you will be! Receive it now, then just walk it out.
Remember this:
"You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you."
Be free in Jesus Name!