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Overcoming Drug Addiction

By CBN

CBN.comAre you enslaved or troubled by a habitual use of various narcotic, stimulant or mind-influencing drugs (including alcohol)? Do you have symptoms of physical, emotional or mental addiction? You may not have a sickness, but a sin problem which causes enslavement and sickness.

Jesus Christ has done something about your problem. He came to liberate you from such problems and enable you to gain self-control, a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23).

What Scripture Says

"Everything is permissible for me" -- but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" -- but I will not be mastered by anything" (I Corinthians 6:12).

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him, and He began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power He gives orders to evil spirits and they come out" (Luke 4:18-21, 36).

"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" (Colossians 2:15).

"He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work" (I John 3:8).

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:1, 13).

What Can You Do?

Take seriously the bondage in which you are involved. God cares about you and has a solution. Your real problem is not an incurable illness, but sin. And Jesus came to deal with sin (I Corinthians 5:11). You need to be spiritually reborn and baptized with the Holy Spirit. You need to change your life patterns. You also may need help for deliverance from drugs and healing. Be bold. Take a fearless inventory of your life. Ask for help from your family, Christian friends, a local pastor, The 700 Club or another Christian ministry that cares. Or call Teen Challenge or a local drug hotline.

It is said that it takes thirty-one days to break a habit. Drug addiction is a "life dominating" problem, so radical changes must be made regarding associates, social atmosphere, places frequented, etc. Replacement, not abstention, is the key. Find a Christian coffeehouse, Bible study and prayer group and a warm church fellowship. The 700 Club Center should have a list of especially helpful groups, One good and faithful Christian friend can help enormously.

You need to keep busy and occupy your mind with new things (Philippians 4:8,9). Learn to yield yourself to Christ rather than to drugs, old friends, self-pity, guilt, fear, etc.

How To Be Spiritually Reborn

God has a plan for your salvation. Call on the Lord to save you mind, body and soul (I John 1:9). Receive Him as your Savior and Lord (John 1:12). Believe Him. He said He would not turn anyone away. He loves you and gave His life for you (John 3:16,17).

How To Receive The Baptism With The Holy Spirit

Once you become a Christian, you can have God's power available through the Holy Spirit. You will be able to live as God intended (Ezekiel 36:27). The Holy Spirit empowers you to help others (Acts 1:8), He aids and teaches you (John 14:26; I Corinthians 2:13), and guides you into truth (John 16:13) and in life (Acts 10:19; 13:2; 16:6).

You may want to ask someone already baptized with the Holy Spirit to pray with you. Just as you asked the Lord to forgive your sins, believing He would, ask Him now to baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). He promised to do so, so take Him at His Word that He does what you ask. Thank and praise Him for being a God who does as He promises.

Tell someone else what you've done. Other Christians and the church will rejoice with you and help you. The angels rejoice with you. God rejoices with you.

As You Pray

Thank God for His love, concern, and power to save and deliver. Renounce the drugs, old friends, and hangouts connected with your drug problem. Yield yourself to Jesus. Thank Him for coming into your heart and filling you with the Holy Spirit. Take Him at His word and thank Him for delivering you from drugs.

Look here to find peace with God

Find a church near you.

Get help in choosing a church.

References/Homework

Acts 2:3, 38; 8:17; 10:44; 19:6 The Holy Spirit first experienced

Romans 11:2a God does not reject His chosen ones

Philippians 4:4-9 Growth in Christ

Begin healing broken relationships by forgiving, and making restitution where necessary.

Set up a plan for Bible reading and quiet prayer time. Go to church. Seek warm Christian fellowship and a group such as Teen Challenge to talk and pray with.

Using a Bible concordance, study every reference for "fear," "deliverance," "healing," and "praise."

Practice "agreeing with God" about His promises for you and "disagreeing with Satan" who tries to accuse you to yourself, to God, to your family, friends, employers, etc.

Seek out other reformed drinkers. Look for their support. Read"Prison to Praise" and other books by Merlin Carothers.

"The Twelve Steps for Christians," Recovery Publications, which contains a list of Resource Organizations and a list of additional reading interest.

"Addiction and Grace," Gerald G. May, M.D.

"The Alcoholic Anonymous Big Book"

"The Serenity Bible," Thomas Nelson

Read The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson, and Run, Baby, Run by Nicky Cruz.

Scripture references are taken from the New International Version translation of the Bible.

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