Christian Recovery Using the Sword of the Spirit

Temptation is no excuse to give into addiction. Every Christian is tempted with something, but we're all expected to resist using the Bible as our instruction book. Even Jesus was tempted by the devil during his 40 days in the desert. And since Jesus is our model and we're to have the mind of Christ, all we need to do is follow his lead when temptation strikes.
In Matthew 4:4,7 and 10, Jesus’ response to the devil’s temptations started with “It is written.” This should be your response when tempted to use drugs or alcohol. Ephesians 6:17 refers to the Word of God as the Sword of the Spirit. In other words, your greatest offensive weapon in the spiritual battle of addictions is scripture. If you learn the Word, you will have the weapon you need. When you wield the Sword of the Spirit, you kick the devil's butt and win the battle for your own soul, and many times will help others do the same.
 
With this in mind, it's important to get in the habit of reading your Bible every morning. Start your day empowered by the Word of God. Don't leave home without your Bible so it's easily accessible if you're suddenly hit with temptation. And memorize victory scriptures so that you are fully armed at all times. Remember, Jesus has already won the war on cross of Calvary, so you already victorious. 

God's Word is truth, and knowing His truth sets you free. 

You can learn more about how to get and stay free from addictions on The Solid Rock Road website at www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also follow the Solid Rock Road on Twitter and Facebook. 

Christian Recovery and Elder Abuse

I have been counseling a lot of elderly people lately who don't know what to do with the addict in their life. What I've come to note is that older people don't truly understand the issues of addiction, nor can they deal with the situation properly, which is why addicts take such advantage of them. The addicts lie incessantly to get money, they steal the elderly's property to sell it for drugs, and they take over their homes.

In the past month, I have talked with two women in their 70s and 80s who have actually moved out of their homes and left the addicts to live there. In both cases, the elderly women paid the rent and all the bills. My advice to each of them was to at least charge the addicts partial rent, or have them pay the utilities. While this seemed like an obvious first step to making the addicts responsible for their lives, both women didn't believe they could ask for money from the addict, and neither had the courage to remove them from their homes. In the end, all that I could do was pray for them and offer my support with an invitation to stay in touch.

I have often said that Christians in addiction work on the fear and guilt of their loved ones.When it comes to the elderly, the addicts also work on their vulnerability. They become predators, feeding on the weaknesses of the elderly. As a result, I have come to see this behavior of addicts as a form of elder abuse.

If you are a senior citizen and find yourself in this situation, I highly recommend you get the support of other family members and that you trust the wisdom of recovery counselors. If you are a family member and your parents or grandparents have fallen victim to the addict's manipulations, please intervene and get the help that's necessary to force change.

You can learn more about The Solid Rock Road at www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also find this Christian recovery resource on Facebook. 541-301-3717.

Knowing the Truth for Freedom from Addictions

In 2 Timothy 2:25-26, the Apostle Paul says we are to correct those who are in opposition to the truth and pray that God will grant them repentance so they will “escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

The only way to escape the snare is to know the truth by reading the Bible and accessing the mind of Christ. When all is said and done, being skilled in the Word is what will keep you in the truth, help you stay on God’s path, and transform you into a combat-ready soldier in the Army of God.

To know the truth is good, but you must come to love and crave it, the same way you have been obsessed by your drug of choice. If you make this switch in your mind, your body will follow.

Some people experience love at first sight with truth, while others grow to love it. If you have an instant connection with truth, this does not save you from deception later down the road. You have to nurture your relationship with the knowledge of God.

If you’re not automatically captivated by truth, don’t despair. If you keep searching for God’s truth, you’ll find it!

No matter how you come to love the truth, it will become part of you. When you operate in truth, you have better insight into the spiritual battle facing you. When you’re in deception, you can’t see your invisible enemy. That’s why the devil tries to prevent you from knowing the truth, often steals your truth, and covers it up. If you’re blind to the wiles of the devil, he can get away with his schemes more often than not.

It bears repeating that the truth will set you free. This truth comes in two forms: First you must be truthful about your addictions, your cycles, your thoughts, and your feelings or you will continue drinking and doing drugs. Secondly, you must know God’s truth, which gives an internal peace and guides you along The Solid Rock Road.



The Solid Rock Road is a Christian recovery program. Pastors Jerry and Jamee Pineda are the directors of the recovery ministry and are available via www.thesolidrockroad.com. There, you can find the telephone number and/or the email address to contact them.