The Sin of Addiction

You can trace your propensity for sin back to Adam and Eve who disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Since they were the first people on earth, we are their descendants and inherited their sin nature. That all changed when we were redeemed and reborn into the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

From that point on, Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit so we have a new nature that counteracts our natural tendencies -- if and when we let it.

No doubt the battle between good and evil rages on. Though we tend to see this battle outside of ourselves, it also takes place on the inside, including our minds, hearts, and souls.

Our original Adam nature lurks about and we often acknowledge and return to it. This is called backsliding. For addicts it's referred to as relapse. Therefore, to prevent relapse, you have to acknowledge the sin of addiction and repent.

Christian Recovery Requires Conviction

If you never feel convicted for the sins you’ve committed, you will continue in them. This includes your sin of addiction.

There’s a major difference between conviction and condemnation. The Holy Spirit brings conviction, which will cause you to change. In fact, it will have you doing a complete moral u-turn. The devil promotes condemnation, which results in your feelings of guilt and shame, but has no power to help you change.

The grace message is one of the most beautiful truths in the Bible, but it is not the only truth. Yes, God forgives you of your sins when you repent, but there are many scriptures that describe a state of apostasy in which the hand of God is permanently removed from someone’s life. We’re not sure where God draws the line, we just know He does.

Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Also look for a newly published book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery

Radical Recovery Requires Radical Change

A book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery describes the battle of addictions and provides 10 Bible-based principles to fight and win. The book is due out in December, but for now, it's important to understand that Christian recovery is different from worldly recovery methods and techniques.

We have the amazing grace of God that not only saves, but enables Christians to resist all temptation. We have the blood of Jesus that cleanses, and the Holy Spirit as our counselor and guide. We have God who is all knowing, all powering and everywhere present. What more do we need? Nothing.

We don't need years of therapy, nor do Christians in recovery need to claim they are addicts for the rest of their life. Instead, they can claim they are new creations and free from addictions, starting right now.

Radical recovery happens when Christians take hold of all that God offers and puts His principles into practice. Radical recovery is simply acknowledging that God is enough. It's turning your life into an overcomer's legacy and allowing God to change our hearts and our minds.

I urge every Christian who struggles with addictions to enter into the radical Christian lifestyle.

Visit me on Twitter at wwww.twitter.com/solidrockroad

Keys to Christian Recovery

Satan infiltrates. God waits.

Many Christians in addiction are waiting for God to do something miraculous when God is waiting for a relationship. When God doesn't posses them or prevent them from abusing drugs and alcohol, they start to believe that Satan has more power. They complain that God doesn't care and that the temptation is too great. They can't resist because God hasn't rescued them.

Satan infiltrates the minds of addicts. He has access because of the sin of addiction. So it makes sense that Christians who battle with addictions will think like the devil. But even in the midst of addiction, God has created ways to escape.

Christians have access to the Holy Spirit, which is Christ living in us. Those in addiction must agree to kill their sin nature and access the Holy Spirit to receive the mind of Christ. God wants relationship, then submission and obedience. He wants it His way, and He'll wait until you're ready to do it.

Christians Addicted to Drugs and Alcohol

Christians addicted to drugs and alcohol attend churches all over the world. Many are in ministry, keeping their addiction a secret, but knowing in their hearts they have crossed the line from user to abuser. Obviously, not every person addicted to drugs and alcohol is homeless or lives under the bridge. They are your friends, family, neighbors, and fellow church members.

It doesn't matter if a person is a church-going addict or a backslidden addict. Both are in sin and must first admit they can't control their drinking and can't stop doing drugs. To get free, they must first be truthful, then live in the truth, which is the Word of God. Christians in addiction don't need to find a new program, they already have the Bible. Truly the power of God will deliver when Christians surrender and commit to being obedient children of God.

The Solid Rock Road ministry provides 10 Bible-base Principles that will transform the lives of Christians addicted to drugs and alcohol. You can find us on twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad