Question 1

How do I become addicted?

Accepted Answer

John 8:34Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.”Romans 6:12Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.Romans 7:5When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death.2 Peter 2:19You are a slave to whatever controls you.Sin, our greatest addiction, is often alluring and attractive, but it offers only short-term pleasure. It is easy to justify giving in “just this once,” because we think we have things under control. But soon we realize that what we have given in to has become a pattern we can’t stop; it is now controlling us.Matthew 4:1Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.Acts 5:3Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.”2 Corinthians 11:3I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.2 Thessalonians 3:5I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.Satan is a real and present source of temptation. If we give him the chance, he will lead our desires in directions that are contrary to God’s good will.Genesis 3:1-7The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.Matthew 7:9-11“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”Luke 15:20-24“So he [the prodigal son] returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.”John 3:16-17“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”James 1:12-18God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.Satan’s first lie is that God doesn’t have our best interests at heart—that he’s withholding something we desire. That’s the lie the serpent used to tempt Adam and Eve into the first sin, and it’s the lie that leads many of us down the path of addiction. Satan’s second lie is the lie that keeps us trapped in addiction—the lie that God doesn’t truly love us, that we are unworthy, and our only option is to hide from him. That’s the lie that caused Adam and Eve to hide from God in shame. Sometimes, that lie makes us want to blame others to escape our feelings of guilt (Genesis 3:11-13). Satan wants nothing more than for us to doubt God’s goodness and God’s love. But God’s love is relentless—and we cannot hide from his truth. Once we admit we have a problem and that we desire to return to him, he sweeps us into his arms like a loving father. That place of honesty, love, and commitment is where recovery starts. And when we are grounded in that truth—that God knows us completely, loves us anyway, and desires good for us—it’s much harder to be tempted and trapped by Satan’s lies.

Question 2

Can addiction involve more than substance abuse?

Accepted Answer

Romans 6:16Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.We can be addicted to whatever or whomever we choose to obey, whether good or evil. The key to addiction is control—whatever motivates us is our master. Whatever controls our behavior is what we are addicted to.

Question 3

What are some of the addictions I should be careful about?

Accepted Answer

Romans 3:23Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.Romans 6:6We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.Romans 6:19-20When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right.1 Corinthians 6:11Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.Sin is the most deeply ingrained addiction of every person. We can’t go to some clinic or rehab center to stop sinning once and for all. But we can go to a person, Jesus Christ the Son of God, to be completely forgiven of our sins. He will lead our battle against any addictions that remain in our lives. When he forgives us, he looks at us as though we had never sinned, and when our life on earth is over, he will give us eternal life where we will be forever cured and never sin again.Romans 8:5, 7Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, . . . For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.Colossians 3:5So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.We can be addicted to our own sinful nature, which can dominate our thoughts and consequently our actions.Proverbs 23:29-32Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper.1 Corinthians 6:19Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.1 Timothy 3:8Deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.Titus 2:3Teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.Substance abuse has been a common addiction for millennia, and something Christians are warned against specifically. Does that mean Christians shouldn’t drink at all? In moderation, alcohol is fine—even healthy. Paul recommends “a little wine” to Timothy to help with his stomach trouble (1 Timothy 5:23). And if drinking wine was sinful, why would Jesus turn water into wine as his first miracle (John 2:1-11)? However, some Christians may find abstaining from alcohol to be the best way to avoid temptation—and that conviction is not something to mock (Romans 14). Sometimes, we should also consider the impact of our actions on the people around us. Perhaps we don’t have any moral qualms about drinking a beer and offering it to our guests, but the person next to us may be a recovering alcoholic. In that case, the godly course of action would be to refrain from serving alcohol (Romans 14:19-21; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33). Whatever our convictions on issues of alcohol and substance abuse, we should always do what honors God, others, and our bodies.Matthew 5:27-28“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”Romans 1:26-27That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.1 Thessalonians 4:3-5God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.Sexual immorality and sexual perversions can be addictive.Proverbs 21:17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.Amos 6:1What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem, and you who feel secure in Samaria! You are famous and popular in Israel, and people go to you for help.Matthew 6:24“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”Matthew 19:21-22Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.Luke 12:15-21He [Jesus] said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”1 Timothy 6:10The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.Pleasure, possessions, a luxurious lifestyle, and wealth can be addictive. Earthly definitions of success promise instant gratification and even long-term security. But like the rich fool in Jesus’ parable, those who give their lives to such promises will experience a rude awakening. We all must face death.Proverbs 6:9-11You, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.Laziness can be an addiction.Psalm 39:6-7All our busy rushing ends in nothing.Ecclesiastes 5:3Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.Mark 6:31Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”Work can be addictive. Each of us needs to make time to rest and refresh our body and spirit. Even Jesus took time to rest and time to pray, and he encouraged his disciples to do the same.

Question 4

Can I be devoted to God and other things, too? Is that addiction?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 34:14“You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.”Matthew 6:24“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”2 Timothy 2:3-4Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.2 Peter 2:19They [false teachers] promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.Devotion and addiction are different, but devotion can lead to addiction. We can be devoted to family and friends and to helping other people. We can be devoted to any worthy cause. This shows we care. But devotion becomes addiction when it so completely absorbs us that God is no longer first in our lives. Spending time with God begins feeling like a chore because it feels like a distraction from our addiction.

Question 5

Why is addiction so dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Luke 16:13“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”Romans 1:28-32Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip . . . They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.Romans 8:8That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.1 Timothy 6:9-10People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.Addiction always draws us away from God.Proverbs 5:22-23An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.Proverbs 6:27Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire?Proverbs 23:29-30Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks.Proverbs 25:28A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.Addictions are deceiving, destructive, and enslaving.Proverbs 27:20Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.Ecclesiastes 5:10Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!Luke 12:16-20He [Jesus] told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’”James 5:1-3Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment.1 John 2:17This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.Although addictions may bring temporary pleasure, there is no lasting satisfaction. Every “fix” eventually leaves us hungry for one greater than the one before.Romans 6:16Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.Galatians 5:19-21When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.Addiction eventually leads to death.

Question 6

Why can’t I successfully fight addictions by myself?

Accepted Answer

Romans 7:24-25Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.Galatians 5:17The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.James 1:14Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.We can’t fight addictions by ourselves because all we have to draw from is our sinful nature.Isaiah 29:13So the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.”Matthew 22:37-40Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”Luke 11:39The Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness!”Luke 18:9-14Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”1 Corinthians 13:1-3If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.We can have great success fighting some sins on our own. We can have excellent theology, strong discipline against a myriad of temptations, and a good reputation. But to do this, we have to depend on other sinful addictions such as pride and greed. If we do the right things and say the right words without being motivated by love for God and others, then sin’s addiction still holds our hearts.Romans 6:6-7We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.Romans 8:12-15Dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”Galatians 5:22-24The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control . . . Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.Philippians 2:13God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.When we relinquish our old sinful nature and evil desires, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit equip, empower, and encourage and equip us to overcome our addictions.Ecclesiastes 4:9-12Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.1 Thessalonians 5:11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.Hebrews 3:13You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against GodHebrews 10:24-25Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.A person standing alone against the world is vulnerable. We need mutual support and companionship. Enlisting a Christian friend as an accountability partner can more than double our spiritual strength.Mark 6:7He [Jesus] called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two.Galatians 6:1-2If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.Jesus created accountability by sending his disciples out in pairs. This is a wise practice to model. We can encourage and establish relationships with others who will challenge us to righteousness and agree to keep a check on our conduct.

Question 7

How can God break the power of addiction in my life?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 31:6“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.2 Timothy 1:7God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.Addiction may not be healthy, but it is familiar, and it’s grounded in familiar people, places, and things that perpetuate its cycle. Breaking the cycle of addiction can be terrifying because it requires letting go of the familiar to face the unknown. The first step is to have faith that God can and will lead us through that unknown.Proverbs 1:10My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!Proverbs 13:20Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.Ecclesiastes 4:9-10Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. . . . A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.1 Corinthians 5:9When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.1 Corinthians 12:26-27If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.1 Corinthians 15:33Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”Galatians 6:1-2Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.2 Timothy 2:22Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.Hebrews 10:24-25Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.James 5:16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.Sometimes, avoiding temptation may require us to distance ourselves from certain social environments and step away from certain friendships—which can be a terrifying change to face. Satan will take advantage of our fear and try to make us feel isolated, tempting us to seek comfort in unhealthy ways. In order to resist temptation’s call, it is critical to seek out the right kind of friends. We need the consistent support of other people who love us, tell us the truth, and hold us accountable. Participating in an addiction recovery group is often valuable, even essential, in order to overcome an addiction; staying connected to a local church is crucial for our spiritual stamina. God often works through other people to help us, and if we isolate ourselves, we limit our access to that help.Romans 5:8God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.1 Timothy 1:15-16This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.Satan isn’t merely trying to isolate us from other people—he wants to isolate us from God. And one of the ways he does that is by convincing us that God couldn’t possibly value us after all our failures. The evil one will whisper to us that we don’t belong in church or we can’t approach God in prayer until we’ve gotten our act together. This misunderstands the truth of God’s good news for us. God loves us even while we are still trapped in sin. That’s why he sent Jesus!Philippians 3:13-14No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it [perfection], but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.1 John 1:9If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.Jesus didn’t come to merely warn us against sin—he came to free us from it. Being afraid to seek God until after we’ve gotten our act together is like being afraid to go to the doctor until after we’ve recovered from a sickness. Recovering from addiction is rarely a linear path. There will be victories and there will failures, just as we experience as we struggle with all our sins. But so long as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will continue moving in the right direction and becoming more like him.Romans 8:5-8Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit . . . That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.Galatians 2:20My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.Galatians 5:22-23The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.Titus 2:11-14The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.God can break the power of addiction when we give him control of our lives. He will come into our lives and change our hearts and our desires. When we accept Christ’s Lordship and surrender to the Holy Spirit, God will help us replace addictive longings with life-affirming desires.Isaiah 43:1-3Now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.Romans 6:16Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.James 4:7Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.Submission is a choice to obey something or someone. Every day, we choose to submit to sin or to God’s will for us. Submitting to God’s will means resisting sin, and submitting to sin means resisting God and his good plan for us. The choice is ours, but we cannot remain neutral in this battle. Making an enemy of Satan and his temptations will lead to struggle, but when we submit to God, we’ll have his power behind us. We can begin by admitting our needs to God in prayer, releasing all our temptations to him, and relying fully on the promise of his divine help.Ephesians 5:18Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.It is essential that we admit our addictions and acknowledge how destructive they are. While it is healthy and important to seek the help of others, with God’s help we have the ultimate power at our disposal to overcome our addictions.Luke 1:37“For the word of God will never fail.”1 Corinthians 10:13The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.Philippians 1:6I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.To overcome our addictions, we must believe it is possible. We can have this confidence once we recognize the greatness of God’s power at work within us.Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.1 John 4:4You belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory . . . because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.1 John 5:4-5Every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.Freedom from addictions comes as we change our focus and the way we think. We do this by trusting God to transform us and give us the power to resist temptation. While it is healthy and important to seek the help of others, with God’s help we have the ultimate power (Christ in us) to overcome addiction. It’s hard to see Christ when our eyes are fixed on this world. It’s hard to be tempted by the destructive forces of this world when our eyes are fixed on Christ.

Question 8

How can I prevent addiction in my life?

Accepted Answer

Mark 14:38“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”Romans 6:12-14Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.Romans 12:1So, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.1 Corinthians 6:12You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.1 Corinthians 6:19-20Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.1 Corinthians 10:31Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.Titus 2:12We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.We can offer our bodies as a daily sacrifice to God. As we make decisions throughout our day, we can ask ourselves, “How can I honor God in this moment?”Psalm 101:4I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.Romans 8:5-6Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.Romans 13:14Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.Colossians 3:2Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.We can commit our minds to God and his concerns. It’s difficult to avoid sinful thoughts without replacing those thoughts with something else. The more we grow in our relationship with God, the more our minds will be filled with good, life-giving thoughts and desires—and temptation will have less room to fit inside.Proverbs 4:23Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.Proverbs 23:19-21Keep your heart on the right course. Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags.Matthew 6:19-21“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”Mark 12:30“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”James 1:21So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.1 John 2:15Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.Commit your heart to God. Watch your affections. Giving our hearts fully to God is the highest purpose of every Christian. When we love God, we will naturally desire to obey him. Just as a strong love for one’s spouse protects against the temptation of adultery, a strong love for God guards against the temptation to sin.Psalm 119:133Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.Matthew 26:41“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”2 Peter 1:5-6Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness.We can strengthen our relationship with God through the spiritual disciplines of studying his Word and praying.Proverbs 1:10My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!1 Corinthians 5:9When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.1 Corinthians 15:33Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”2 Timothy 2:22Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.We should choose our companions wisely. We will become like the friends we surround ourselves with, for good or for bad.

Question 9

Why should we submit to the Holy Spirit’s control?

Accepted Answer

Romans 8:5-9Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)Galatians 5:22-23The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.God’s control is the only kind of control that produces completely positive results. Sin’s control tears us apart from within. God’s control builds us up into all we were created to be.2 Corinthians 3:17The Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.Galatians 5:17The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.2 Timothy 1:7God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.The Holy Spirit works in us to bring freedom from the drives and desires that distract us from living for God.John 8:34-36Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”Romans 6:14, 18Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace . . . Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.2 Corinthians 5:17This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!1 Peter 2:16You are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.Submission to Christ’s lordship frees us to live a new, righteous, and grounded life!Romans 6:16, 22Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living . . . But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.Galatians 6:8Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.Submission to the Holy Spirit pleases God and results in eternal life.

Question 10

How do I ask God to help me be free of an addiction?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah 3:13“Only acknowledge your guilt. Admit that you rebelled against the Lord your God and committed adultery against him by worshiping idols under every green tree. Confess that you refused to listen to my voice.”Acts 3:19“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”James 4:7, 10So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. . . . Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.1 Peter 5:6-7So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.God longs to free each of us from our addictions. We can freely admit our unhealthy dependencies to God in prayer, release all our fears to him, and rely fully on the promise of his help.1 Kings 8:58“May he [the Lord] give us the desire to do his will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that he gave our ancestors.”Psalm 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.Psalm 141:4Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.Ezekiel 36:26“I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”Romans 6:13Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.We can pray for God to be in control of our desires and our actions.Matthew 6:13“Don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”1 Corinthians 10:13The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful . . . When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.We can pray for, look for, and follow the path God provides for us to resist our addictions.

Question 11

What should I do if I suspect addiction in another person’s life?

Accepted Answer

Galatians 6:1If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.As Christians, we are to confront one another with gentleness and humility. Gentleness might mean being compassionate while still speaking the truth in love. Humility may involve recognizing our own limitations and the need to get additional, professional help for our friend.Matthew 5:15-16“No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”Matthew 9:11-12When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”1 Corinthians 5:9-11When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.1 Corinthians 10:27If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience.2 Corinthians 6:14Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?Ephesians 5:11Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.We should be cautious about peer pressure and worldly influences. If a particular person or situation leads us into temptation, it is often wiser to withdraw. Yet we cannot be a loving witness to unbelievers if we always avoid them. Jesus shared meals with sinful prostitutes and corrupt tax collectors, and many became his followers. Befriending unbelievers caught in addiction could help lead them to God, the One with the power to free them from their addictions. We should pray and seek God’s wisdom in such situations, humbly recognize our own weaknesses, and be open to whatever God is calling us to.