Addictions! Webster's Dictionary definition is, "to surrender oneself to something obsessively or habitually." People are addicted to spending money, controlling others, drugs, alcohol, food, internet, sports, gossip, and even social networking! Do you know someone who ruined their life with addictions? What is your addiction? You know and I know that we are addicted to something. We might say...“I will just be a casual drinker” or “I’ll just look once at the porn and I will be strong enough to say no later.” Addictions usually begin with overconfidence. Some of us would say that we do not struggle with addiction, but we are so addicted, we don’t even realize it. Addiction begins when we are ‘enticed’ by our evil desires. It looks good, smells GOOD and feels good!
But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:14-15
Addictions begin by giving into our selfish desires. It is not just asking for forgiveness, but turning to God instead of the addiction. We must have changed HEARTS before we have changed actions. What we worship leads to addiction.
Where do we begin with surrendering our addictions? We need to admit and repent to God.
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19
Giving into temptation is finding momentary satisfaction in a substance or person for deliverance other than Jesus. Addictions lead us to live in secret. Everyone needs an accountability partner. It is a relationship between two people who share their struggles and mess-ups. Make a commitment and promise to be loyal, trustworthy and confidential.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:1
No temptation has seized you except that which is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
The Christian life is not a walk, but a battle! Satan’s goal is for us to be destroyed. You cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results. We must surrender to God through repentance and accountability!