Do I have to Call Myself an Addict if I’m Saved?

Christian Recovery and the New Creation Reality!

The question, “Do I have to call myself an addict if I’m saved” is often asked by new Christians. And the answer is “No.” But not everyone agrees. In fact, a lot of Christians believe the secular philosophy of “Once an addict, always an addict.” But if this is true, then the Bible is telling lies. And we all know that God’s word is Truth. God is very clear when it comes to the New Creation Reality. Take 2 Corinthians 5:17 for example: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 

With this Scripture in mind, it becomes clear that the secular philosophy is actually the lie. Of course, this is not the only Scripture that backs up the New Creation Reality. There are too many to number and the whole concept of being born again and having the continual ability to repent and turn things around is rampant in the pages of the Bible. The bottom line is that Jesus died so we could die to our old life and be resurrected into a new life.

It’s true that we are all born with a sin nature, and many of us have a propensity for addictions. Others can be more prone to gossiping, or to negativity, or to pride or lust. These propensities must be overcome with the blood of Jesus. We do not have to accept these character flaw, but instead need to walk in faith and believe that we are who God says we are. 

It is with this New Creation Reality that we find our true identity in Christ. It is in this realm that we discover our gifts and the purpose for which God created us in the first place.

The Word of God declares us whole. It declares us to be more than conquerors. It declares that we are overcomers and says that we have the authority to stomp on snakes and scorpions. The Bible explains that we have the essence of God living in us, and that our God nature overtakes our sin nature – if and when we let it.

Should you call yourself an addict? Only if you are in your addiction and have yet to turn your life over to God. Otherwise, call yourself SET FREE! 

Jamee Pineda is the co-director of The Solid Rock Road Chrsitian Recovery ministry, which was founded in 2002. She is also the co-author of "Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery" and the training manual that teaches pastors and recovery ministry leaders how to use the book for group recovery.

The Best Way to Get Clean and Sober: Christian Recovery

The best way to get clean and sober is to commit to doing whatever it takes to get set free. Sometimes this requires that you white knuckle your way to sobriety. This is how I did it. I knew that God was with me and I drew on His strength, but I admit that it wasn’t easy. However, I was absolutely dedicated to changing my life and I would have done anything necessary to stop the insanity of addiction. I battled and won!

Sometimes God will deliver you from your addictions. This is what happened to my husband Jerry. Once he made the commitment to God that he would quit using drugs and alcohol, he never again craved it, nor did he have any withdrawal symptoms. One day he was using and the next day he was over it.

I have observed that most addicts cry out to God for deliverance, hoping that there is no suffering. But I believe getting clean and sober is different for everyone because there are lessons that each addict must learn on their way to sobriety. And by the way, there is a common denominator for remaining clean and sober! That is, service to God and others. You must go from being a taker to a giver. You must spend your time considering the needs of others before thinking about your own.

Jesus advocated and practiced self-denial, which is the true essence of love. In the midst of rejection and persecution, Jesus served, proving that love prevails in any circumstance.

How often do you deny your personal needs for the sake of others? How much of yourself do you willingly give? These are good questions to ask yourself, especially if you are in the midst of your addiction.

Addiction is selfish. It’s all about serving the desires of your mind and body, no matter the cost to others. If you’re addicted, you will spend money you don’t have, you will disappoint those you love, and you will take risks that you shouldn’t take.

Today, look outside of yourself for a moment. Take your mind off your cravings long enough to see the world around you. Do your children need your attention and your love? Is your spouse suffering? Do your friends need your support?

If you can see past your addictions, then reach out to someone who can help you get sober. Make the commitment and do whatever it takes to resist temptation. Call on God to help and He will help you, but don’t expect Him to do it your way. Accept that God is in control, and be willing to learn whatever lesson He has planned on your way to sobriety. This is how radical transformation takes place.

To learn more about radical transformation, visit www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also read my book “Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.”

Christian Recovery: Why Can’t I Quit My Addictions?

Over the years, we have had many Christians in addiction ask us the question, “Why can’t I quit drinking?” or “Why can’t I quit using drugs?” Many of these people are questioning God because He has not delivered them from their addictions.

Our answer is always the same. God gets to choose how He works with us. He has his reasons, and His lessons for each one of us. In some cases, he instantly delivers a person out of addictions. This is what happened to my husband Jerry. One night while Jerry was in the midst of his addiction and at his bottom, he had a battle with an angel or God who kept telling him to go home to his wife and get right with Him. He refused at first, but several hours into the experience, Jerry gave in and said, “Okay. I will do it.” He fell right asleep and the next morning, everything was different. The world looked like a beautiful place and he had peace in his heart. From that point on, Jerry never drank or did drugs again. And even better, he has never once had a craving. Now, eightenn years later, Jerry is the senior pastor at Destino Cristiano, a bilingual Christian church in La Paz, Mexico.

While many people say that Jerry was lucky, I say that he became completely surrendered, and this is what brought about his deliverance. It was a blessing to be delivered and Jerry has always been grateful for that gift. But he has learned the value of deliverance and preaches about holding onto it with everything he has. "Never take deliverance for granted" is his motto.

My story is much different. I was not delivered from my addiction to alcohol, even though I begged God to take my cravings from me every day. Looking back, I understand that God set a specific path for me to follow. My journey of recovery was all about using the strength of God to get me through. At the time, Jerry was still an addict, and he had alcohol in the house every day. I would open the refrigerator and there it was, staring at me in the face. But I asked God to give me strength, and He did. I continually quoted the Scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)

Everyone in Christ has the ability to get set free. Some, like me, must suffer to get there, and this is where addicts often fail. They refuse to endure withdrawals and temptations, or claim they just can’t. Of course we are weak, but this is when God loves to show up. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

So in answer to the question, “Why can’t I Quit My Addictions?” I say, you can, if you are willing to do what God wants you to do, and if your path is like mine, to truly suffer all the way to the cross. Remember, Christ suffered for you. He suffered so you could be set free. He suffered and died, but then he rose again in a resurrected life, and that’s what can happen for you if you follow the model of Jesus. You suffer and you die to yourself, so that you can be a new creation in Christ.

If you want to connect with me, write to TheSolidRockRoad@gmail.com or call 541-778-8680. You can also visit the website at www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also find my book on Amazon. Click here to check out Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.