18 Feb De-Hooked – Learning to overcome addiction in your life PART 5

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The Bible tells us, “He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengthens for himself among the trees of the forest; he plans an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.  Then shall it be for a man to burn; for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yes, he kindles it and bakes bread; yea, he makes a god and worshippeth it; he makes it a graven image, and falls down thereto.  He burns part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eats flesh; he roasts roast, and is satisfied: yes, he warm himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire; And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falls down unto it and worships it, and prays unto it, and saith, Deliver me, for thou art my god” (Isaiah 44:14-17).

In these powerful verses, we can see how man takes a good thing such as fire and warms himself.  Warming yourself is good. He then makes bread with it…also good. He then roasts meat with it…again, good.  Lastly he makes an idol out of it…not good.  Remember this:  Idolatry occurs when we take good things and turn them into god things.

God has given us the knowledge and ability to get “de-hooked” and overcome any addiction in life! Before we move into new teaching, let’s review…

       We shared “Four Addiction Aspects”:

  1. We turn to something in time of anxiety
  2. We try to get something from it that it does not have the ability to provide
  3. We then turn to higher levels of it to gain the same experience (or high)
  4. Addiction occurs when you no longer have it…now it has you.

Then we began to discover four different entry points of addiction:

  1. Don’t admit you have a problem (Jer. 3:13).  Simply begin making excuses for yourself.

2. Gratify your fleshly desires (Gal. 5:16-17). 

3. Keep your addiction secret (Prov. 28:13).

This week we continue our series with…

4. Overcome the addiction through self-effort (Phil. 2:12-13).

In 36 years of ministry I have seen so many people try to overcome addiction through new year’s resolutions or mental toughness.  God never intended for you to do this alone! Please remember “Three Overcome Outlines”:

  1. Never overcome through self-effort.  Always overcome through Spirit empowerment.
  2. You must make the decision, then expect God to provide the provision.
  3. Obedience is our job.  Outcome is God’s job.

Now that we understand four ways that don’t actually overcome addiction, let me share “Four De-hooked Dynamics”:

  1. Run…from sin (II Tim. 2:22).  

The Bible says here, “Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”  Notice the word “flee” not fight!  There is a time to fight and a time to flee.  There is a time to resist then there is a time to run!

Remember this: You can’t win from a losing position.  

Remember also: Life is not about intentions but positions. 

We say “I never intended to sleep with my girlfriend”, but you put yourself in a losing position when you are over at her house until 3:00 am, lying on the couch and studying Song of Solomon!

Join us next week as we share the other three “De-hooked Dynamics”…