INTRODUCTION

1. Addiction is a serious and widespread problem in our nation, and it is likely to get worse.

   1. An addiction is slavery to a substance or a practice that is psychologically or physically habit-forming.  Addictions are such that cessation from the substance or practice causes trauma to the addict.

   2. Common addictions in our nation include tobacco, alcohol, recreational drugs, prescription drugs, gambling, pornography, and perverse sexual behaviors.

   3. The problem of addiction is likely to grow due to the increased legalization of recreational drugs (marijuana) as well as the easy access to gambling (internet, lottery, sports betting, casinos, etc.) and pornography on the internet.

   4. This growing problem touches everyone, including Christians. Even those who are not addicts and don't know addicts are affected by the problem, so we all need to work to combat it.

2. The Bible teaches a compassionate solution for addiction that needs to be understood by addicts and others.

   1. English translations of the Bible do not use the term addiction, but the Bible speaks often of slavery to sin (Rom. 6:16, for example).  The Bible's program for escaping the slavery of sin is its solution for addiction.

   2. Of course, the first barrier to addition is prevention, for a person cannot become addicted to something he never consumes.  "Abstain from every form of evil" (1Thess. 5:22). However, the purpose of this lesson is to consider how to break those addictions that already exist.

   3. Concerning the Bible's solution for addiction, consider Titus 2:11-14:

      ¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹²instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, ¹³looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, ¹⁴who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

   4. The grace of God not only instructs us in what to do about addiction, but it also instructs us in how to break addiction.  Therefore, let us consider the instructions of grace.

       

GRACE'S INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREAKING ADDICTIONS

1. Realization: Addictive behavior is destructive to the body, mind, and spirit.

   1. For example, the Bible speaks repeatedly of the destructive effects of alcohol on the body, mind, and spirit (Prov. 20:1; 23:20-21; Isa. 5:11-12, 22; 1Cor. 6:9-10; 1Pet. 4:1-5).

   2. Although alcohol is specified in these passages, other addictions have similar destructive effects.

      1. Drunkenness is in a category that includes fornication, homosexuality, gluttony, lasciviousness, lack of self-control, and love of pleasure (Prov. 23:20-21; 1Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; 2Tim. 3:2-4).

      2. All of these behaviors are likewise destructive to anyone who practices them.

   3. Addicts must realize that they are destroying themselves by their addictive behavior.

      1. The effects of addiction on the mind and the body are devastating.

      2. Most importantly, addiction destroys the soul.  The Bible plainly teaches that addicts to these behaviors cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1Cor. 6:10; Gal. 5:21).

      3. Jesus said that no one can serve two masters (Matt. 6:24). Therefore, those who are mastered by addictions cannot serve Christ, which leaves them lost without a Savior.

2. Repentance and remorse:  Addicts must change their minds and take responsibility for their behaviors.

   1. With the realization of addiction's destructiveness, an addict must decide that he does not want to continue his addictive behavior. Although the addiction will still hold carnal appeal, there must be a stronger appeal for ending the physical and spiritual harm he is causing.

   2. It should naturally follow that an addict will feel remorse for his actions.  He is responsible for his addiction and the harm it has caused to himself and others. Without this remorse for his own sins, an addict will not be able to repent of his addiction.

   3. This instruction of grace is summarized in 2Corinthians 7:10, which says,

      For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

   4. One who repents "without regret" is happy for his change and does not wish to go back.

3. Determination: Addicts must decide to break their addictions.

   1. Addictions are not broken without resolutions.  To succeed in breaking his addiction, an addict must resolve that he will stop his addictive behavior instantly and permanently.

   2. Consider the determination of Paul stated in 1Corinthians 6:12:

      All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable.  All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

   3. This must be the addict's determination: "I will not be mastered by anything."

   4. Part of this determination must be to cease all behaviors that facilitate the addiction.  An addict must determine to stay away from people and places that will cause him to stumble (Prov. 23:20-21; 1Cor. 15:33).

4. Understanding: The nature of addiction is weakness, and the struggle against this weakness will continue.

   1. Jesus told His disciples, "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41).

   2. Even when realization, repentance, remorse, and determination are present, the flesh is still weak.  The willingness of the spirit does not preclude temptation, so the weakness of the flesh must be guarded.

   3. The world will continue to appeal with the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life (1John 2:16), so no one can ever let his guard down.  The flesh is always weak.

   4. Each addict should also know that Jesus understands his weakness because He was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15).

5. Prayer: An addict must seek the help of God to break his addiction.

   1. Just as Jesus told His disciples to pray not to enter into temptation, so also addicts must do the same.  As part of His model prayer, Jesus instructed us to pray, "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matt. 6:13).

   2. Of course, God is accessible by prayer for help in time of need only through Jesus Christ (Heb. 4:15-16).  One must be in Christ to fully avail himself of God's blessings through prayer.  God will help those who come to Him through prayer in Jesus' name (John 14:13-14).

6. Outer strength: An addict must find strength outside of himself.

   1. Addiction exists because of weakness, but we all can receive strength from outside of ourselves.  Consider the guarantee from God concerning temptation in 1Corinthians 10:13:

      No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

   2. As an addict believes God's promise to limit the temptation and prays for deliverance, he must make an effort to seek, find, and use the way of escape that God promises to provide.

   3. An addict must also assume the attitude of the apostle Paul, who wrote, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). Every addict can overcome his addiction through Christ.

   4. Christ also strengthens us through our fellow Christians (Heb. 12:12; Jas. 5:16).  Addicts should seek the help of his brothers and sisters in Christ, and they should provide it to him in abundance.

7. Persistent resistance: The fight against addiction must be never cease.

   1. When the Lord overcame temptation, His trials were not ended. The Scriptures says that the devil "left Him until an opportune time" (Luke 4:13).

   2. Likewise, one instance of victory over addiction does not assure victory the next time.  The devil will return at an opportune time, and an addict must be ready to resist him again and again.

   3. James wrote, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (Jas. 4:7).  If this resistance is offered every time the devil tempts, then he will always flee.

8. Abstinence: An addict must completely abstain from his addictive behavior.

   1. An addict must never dabble in his addiction again. Consider Romans 13:14:

      But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

   2. If an addict does stumble, then he must repent of his sin, confess his sin, and ask forgiveness of his sin (Acts 8:22; 1John 1:9).  Then, he must renew and return to his resolve of persistent resistance and abstinence again.

       

CONCLUSION

1. It is a proven fact that a faith-based approach to overcoming addiction is far more effective than any other.

2. Therefore, let us apply the true faith in Christ to solving this problem for anyone trapped in addiction.