HOW DO I GET SET FREE FROM ANY ADDICTION OR BONDAGE?
This will work for any person and any problem: anger; lust; depression; gossiping; drugs; eating addictions, etc. (No matter how big, how small, and no matter how long it has been going on, and no matter what it is.)
You’ve heard of garbage in, garbage out. This is God in, garbage out!
Most self-help programs today deal with the external, not the internal. They try to change behavior, not the heart. They rely on will power not the power of the Holy Spirit. With will power, you can keep things in check, but not overcome
whatever you are struggling with. It’s the difference between white knuckling it
and having true victory. I heard a preacher say once “any battle that you are
winning, through will power, you will eventually lose.” I believe that is true.
The apostle Paul said it this way in Romans 7: 15-25 “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is
good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
Paul couldn’t do it in this own strength and willpower. There has been an argument, over the years, if this period in Romans 7 was before Paul was saved or after. It really doesn’t matter. It just shows that a person in the flesh (by an act of will power can’t do the job, but through Jesus Christ can) I personally believe
this was the period right after he was saved. He had no road map; he had to work through this himself with God’s help.
I tried to do it myself through will power and programs, they just didn't work. This works. It seems we are always looking for some man made method and thinking maybe this is the answer; when the whole time the answer was right there in the Bible staring us in the face. We just need to learn how to access these truths to make them effectively work in our lives.
These five Biblical Principles will set you free:
1. Choice: Spiritually-Minded or Carnally-Minded
Spiritually-minded means to be Word Minded, to be putting one’s faith in the promises of the Bible. Carnally-minded just means to be naturally-minded or sinfully minded (Carnal just means of the five senses-of the body or flesh).
Romans 8: 6 “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually
minded is life and peace.”
2. There is NOW NO condemnation
You are new creation in Christ. All your past is forgiven. God doesn’t remember your sins!
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in
Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according
to the Spirit”
3. The Law of the Spirit of Life is critical. (Garbage Out)
It is the strongest law of the universe greater than sin and death!
Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made
me free from the law of sin and death.”
4. Commit yourself totally to God
Give your problem (whatever it is) to God and give yourself to him. He has already made you an over comer, now you just need to learn to trust him to take
it.
Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that
you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is
your reasonable service.”
5. Renew your mind (God In)
This is critical. If you just empty out the bad and don’t replace it with the good, it won’t work.
Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good
and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
So how long will it take? The victory was won at the cross by Jesus. The power is released as soon as you believe. The process will vary from person to person. It may depend on how long this has gone on and how committed you are to letting God change you. It could be instant or it could take weeks and months, but it will happen.
Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due
season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Ask God to help you. Tell him “I can’t do it anymore, Lord! Put your faith in these promises and walk them out each day. Then evaluate yourself after thirty days. You will see a marked difference. God will help you, because he loves you. So do you want to stay defeated or white knuckle it through will power or do you want to overcome it? Don’t quit and you will see the victory! God has given you a written guarantee: His Word.
This Teaching on Addictions will be updated in the Future