Honesty is the Best Policy

Honesty is the Best Policy

My Mother always taught me that honesty is the best policy.  She was right. This is a good policy for everybody and especially for those seeking recovery. I do not believe it is possible to have permanent and complete recovery from addictions (all addictions, all the time) without honesty.  In Reformers Recovery Ministries the motto is Only the Truth makes Free.  This is based on Jesus teaching in John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  The truth does indeed make us free.  In order for the truth to have its proper place in our lives several things must happen.

FIRST:  DECEPTION MUST STOP!

There are serveral types and sources of deception.  Without a doubt, the worst type of deception is self-deception.  AW Tozer wrote the following about self-deception:

Of all forms of deception, self-deception is the most deadly, and of all deceived persons the self-deceived are the least likely to discover the fraud.

The reason for this is simple. When a man is deceived by another he is deceived against his will. He is contending against an adversary and is temporarily the victim of the other’s guile. Since he expects his foe to take advantage of him he is watchful and quick to suspect trickery. Under such circumstances it is possible to be deceived sometimes and for a short while, but because the victim is resisting he may break out of the trap and escape before too long.

With the self-deceived it is quite different. He is his own enemy and is working a fraud upon himself. He wants to believe the lie and is psychologically conditioned to do so. He does not resist the deceit but collaborates with it against himself. There is no struggle, because the victim surrenders before the fight begins. He enjoys being deceived.

While I was attending Bible college, I worked as a trailer mechanic at Fruehauf, Inc.  It was physical work.  I started missing a day here, and a day there due to what I proclaimed was sickness.  My foreman called me into his office questioning my illnesses.   I stood firm on my sicknesses proclaiming that each and every time I was unable to work because I was sick.  My foreman told me something that changed my life:  You can lie to me and I may or may not believe you, but when you lie to yourself and start believing it, you are in trouble.  God convicted my heart and now almost 30 years later have not missed work unless it was legitimate.

Are you being completely honest with yourself?  I have heard people say things that are not true hoping it will change the situation or give them permission to do what they want. Sayings like:

I don't have a _______________ problem.  (fill in the blank with any addiction or unwanted behavior)
I can quit ___________________ any time I want.
I will just have one _________________ (etc.)
I cannot quit _________________.
I have _______________ under control.
I have stopped __________________. (when the reality is they have not)

Another form of deception is purposely deceiving others.  Once the lying begins it can get to the point that lying becomes the normal.  One person told me; I really don’t know where to start it’s been so long since I’ve been honest it’s almost easier to lie.

A person lies about where they went and what they had been doing. It’s a way of staking a claim to the right to continue drinking or using drugs. The lies, self deception, and self delusions are created for the purpose of permitting oneself to continue to use. Somehow a person needs it all to make sense.

Being dishonest can easily become the standard of action, or way of life for most alcoholics or addicts. Many deceive themselves and  lie to others. They lie about how much they used, and how often they used.  They hide their feelings and emotions, or became distant from their relationships, perhaps not in all areas, but certainly in terms of their substance use.

Be careful, some people lie without even meaning to lie.  It has become so embedded into their character that they can not distinquish between the reality and the lie. 

For their to be permanent freedom from all addictions (all kinds, all the time), deception must be replaced with truth.

The Bible is clear concerning deception and lying.  Lying and deceiving is wrong, it is a sin. 

The ninth commandment God proclaims:  Exodus 20:16 (KJV) ¹⁶ Thou shalt not bear false witness (lie) against thy neighbour.   Here God plainly condemns lying.  It is wrong to lie to others.  God declares His dislike for lying in Proverbs 12:22 (KJV) ²² Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.   The word abomination means to detest, to find disgusting. 

Why is lying such a big deal to God?  Why does God mention lying as one of the ten (He gave more, these were the main ones) main commandments He gave to Israel?  First of all, let's consider the origin of lying.

John 8:44 (KJV) ⁴⁴ Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

These are scathing words that Jesus used to describe the Devil.  Jesus calls him a liar, and the father of lies.  This was evident in the original sin when the Serpent (the Devil) used lies to entice Eve.

Genesis 2:15-17 (KJV) ¹⁵ And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. ¹⁶ And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: ¹⁷ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Please note that God had given only one command to Adam that command was they were not to eat the fruit of only one tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God had given His permission to eat of the fruit of all other trees.

 It is the command of God that the father of lies attacks. 

Genesis 3:1 (KJV) ¹ Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

The tactic used by the Serpent is the same tactic used by the Devil today, deception.  Satan twisted the Word of God to deceive Eve.  If he can get you to believe a lie, he can influence you to disobey God. 
This is why it is vital that deception be stopped.

A Way to Escape

The Way of Escape

According to Dr. George Koop, a professor with the Scripps Research Institute, 80% of the addicts and alcoholics that experience detox return to drug or alcohol use within a year.  Discovering why a person chooses to relapse is an area of great concern to all of us. 

One of the identified reasons why a person chooses to relapse is cravings.  Cravings are defined as the intense desire a person still feels for the substance during recovery. Research has shown us that the cravings people experience could be directly related to the long term changes in brain function, due to the drug and alcohol abuse. In essence, the brain has become conditioned to function under the influence of drugs or alcohol and does not function efficiently without it.

What can a person do when the urge to drink or drug or frankly any wrong behavior is strong?  What does God say about it and will these cravings ever go away?

The Bible teaches us in I Corinthians 10:13 several lessons that we can apply to our cravings.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) ¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

First, our temptation is not one that is unique to us.  It is common to man.  In other words, the temptation we face is a temptation that others face as well. May I also remind us that it is not God who tempts. 

James 1:13 (KJV) ¹³ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

The Scripture clearly teaches that God is not the one who is tempting us. From where does our temptation come?

James 1:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

It is our own lust, our own longing and desire for that which God forbids that tempts us. 

Second, you do not have to give into the temptation.  Many times people respond as if it is impossible to say no to the temptation or craving, but this is not true.  God does not allow us to face a temptation that He is unable to deliver us from… God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.

Third, God will make a way to escape the temptation… will with the temptation also make a way to escape.
Let us be reminded again that God has promised in His Word that He will make a way to escape. 
We know we are going to be tempted.  We know we are going to have a time of craving in our future so let us prepare now as to how we are going to handle the temptation or craving when it comes.

I.             Long Term Readying:

There are changes that must be made in our lives to prevent temptation and to promote the possibility of successfully saying no when tempted.

                A.            Change Your Perspective

It is important that we change the way we think about what we do.  Recovery principle #1 of Reformers Unanimous is If God’s against it, so am I.  True change begins with a change of our thinking.   Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.  The Reformers Unanimous motto is from John 8:32 Only the truth makes free.  It is imperative if we are going to change, we first change our thinking.  How do you view what you do?  Do you view it the same as God views it? 

                B.            Change Your People

It may also be necessary to change some of the people in our lives.  Recovery principle #6 of RU states: Those who do not love the Lord, will not help us serve the Lord.  All of us are affected by the people with whom we associate.  The Bible states in Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.  If you look back on your life, you will usually find people that were instrumental in leading you astray.  God in His Word says:  1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV) ³³ Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Another way of saying this is bad company corrupts good morals.    It is true that the people we associate with affect the way we live our lives. 

                C.            Change Your Places

It is important that the places we go are beneficial in our recovery.   This is why faithful attendance to a good faith based recovery meeting is important.  This is why all should faithfully attend a Bible preaching and teaching church.  The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25 (KJV) ²⁵ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  

II.            Short Term Response

It is also important that we plan what we are going to do when the moment of temptation or when the cravings come. 

                1.            Pray, Read your Bible, Pray the Promise

When cravings or temptation comes it is important we turn to the One who has provided a way to escape.  Pray, read your Bible, read I Corinthians 10:13 (text verse), and pray the verse out loud claiming the promise of God.  Remember God has promised a way to escape and that you are able to bear it.

                2.            Call a Spiritual Leader

This is the time to call your spiritual leader.  This is the time, if you are in RU, to call your challenge leader, challenge helper, director, or assistant director.  You need to have these numbers in your cell phone and keep calling until you get someone who will listen, advise, and pray for you.

                3.            Change What You Are Doing

Stop what you are doing or not doing and go do something else.  Remember the old saying, idle hands are the Devil’s workshop. It is important that your time be spent productively.  When a craving comes remember the old adage, this too shall pass.  Get busy doing something!  Exercise, go for a walk, clean your home, go volunteer at the church, but by all means get busy.

                4.            Attend the Next Available Church Service

                5.            Find God’s Provided Way to Escape

III.           Always Remember

Many people want to know if the physical and mental cravings (temptations) will ever end.  The answer is yes.  God’s Word says; James 4:7 (KJV) ⁷ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. The more you say no to temptation the easier it is to say no.    
What is outlined above will produce abstinence in your life.  Abstaining is defined as:  to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice. Abstaining leads to sobriety.  

However, if you desire total victory it requires transformation.  Only Jesus Christ can truly transform a life.  The Bible says, 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) ¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

God loves you and God desires to have your fellowship, and friendship. God is able to transform your life through your relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. Remember, we are made in His image. He is willing and able to supply our needs. To read more about God and His desired relationship with you please visit: http://www.reformude.com/first-step.html If you would like to see and hear more visit: http://www.preciousseed.com

Why People Fail in their Battle with Addiction?

Why do so many people fail in their battle with addiction?  Why do so many recovery programs and treatment centers staffed with smart, educated people with good hearts and intentions fail so often in helping people struggling with addiction? 

Programs alone do not work.  Treatment centers alone do not work.  Counselors alone do not work.  The only way anyone will have permanent recovery, freedom, victory over sin and addiction, joy, peace, and contentment is through Jesus Christ, God's Son.

John 8:32 You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.

This is not to say that programs, treatment centers, and counseling do not play a part or are totally ineffective.  It is to say that it is not a program plus Christ, but rather Christ working through the individual while the individual is seeking help. 

In this article let us examine two reasons why failure occurs.

1.  Failure occurs when we try to change the behavior rather than the underlying belief that determined the behavior.

For true change to occur, one's thinking has to be changed.  The view of what is right and wrong behavior must be changed first.  You cannot look at your addiction as not being your fault.  If it is not your fault whose is it?  The decision to begin using drugs or alcohol or whatever must be viewed in the light of Scripture.  You choose to disobey God's Word.  It was your choice, and therefore you are responsible for that choice.  You cannot change the behavior until you change your thinking about what you did.  It is vital in recovery that we seek God and His forgiveness for our sins. 

The Bible says:  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9.  

God also has promised that our minds can be changed if we submit to Him and His authority.  Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) ¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Please notice that the behavior of a person doing the will of God occurs after the renewing of their minds.  It is important that we allow the Word of God to dictate our beliefs.  God said it, I believe it and that settles it for me should be our motto.

2.  Failure occurs when we rely on our own efforts instead of trusting God and living by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Can you overcome your addiction in the flesh or by your own power?  I don't think so.  Many people attempting to overcome addiction in their own power end up exchanging one sin for another.  They end up as some call a dry drunk or one who experiences all of the pain, guilt, shame, and emotional trauma of alcohol addiction without drinking.  Is that really recovery?  Is that freedom from addiction?  I don't think so.

Others try fleshly methods available including accountability partners, methadone programs, etc.  Am I saying these programs are bad?  Of course not, but I am saying that it is extremely difficult to beat a fleshly problem with the flesh. 

Let us look at what God's Word says concerning the flesh. 

Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV) ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Study the list!  God is saying when we live life according to our own desires and the desire of our sinful nature inherited from Adam this is what it produces. 

Now let us contrast this if we live life yielded and filled with the Holy Spirit of God. 

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
When we yield to God's Spirit we have victory and freedom over our sin. 

Galatians 5:16 (KJV) ¹⁶ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

The victory is not in our power, but God's.  Our job is to know and believe God's Word,  and to walk daily in His Spirit.  The victory is already ours.  It is ours when we are in Christ. 

Conclusion:

Let me conclude by summarizing.  We must admit our sin and ask God to forgive us and cleanse us.  We must allow our thinking to agree with God's.  We must allow God's Word to dictate what is right and wrong.  We must stop trusting in our own flesh and in its place trust in God and walk in His Spirit.

Freedom and victory can be yours if you walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Foundational Truths for the Addicted (Part 4)

Let's review.  The first foundational truth is God is that we are made in the image of God. The second foundational truth is that sin has consequences.  The third foundational truth is that God holds us responsible for our actions.  The fourth foundational truth is one we should all remember.  God loves us!  The fifth and final foundational truth is...
Foundational Truth #5:   Salvation in Christ Jesus Restores our Relationship with God.

                1.            Jesus is our Redeemer

Ephesians 1:7-8 (KJV) ⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; ⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Titus 2:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1 Peter 1:18-19 (KJV) ¹⁸ Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
¹⁹ But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Matthew 20:28 (KJV) ²⁸ Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Redeemer is one who rescues, saves, or delivers. In ancient Greek culture, the redeemer was one who purchased a slave in the open marketplace with the intent of setting him or her free!

My friend all of us are enslaved to sin.  All of us are need to be delivered from sin's clutches, to be saved from sin's penalty.  All of us need to be redeemed and Jesus Christ can be our redeemer.  It is His blood shed on Calvary's cross, His death, and His resurrection that was the price God required for our salvation.

                2.            Our Salvation is based on our believing, our faith in Jesus.

Romans 6:23 (KJV) ²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) ⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

It is evident that salvation is not based on our good works, but on faith.  Faith in God's Word concerning there being one God who had one Son who died once for the sins of mankind.  Jesus Himself indicated the only way to the only Heaven is through Him.

John 14:6 (KJV) ⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Won't you by faith believe today that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God who died on Calvary's cross for your sins?  Won't you today trust Him as your Savior, your redeemer? 

Let me close this article, by offering to each one of you a restored relationship with God. God loves you and God desires to have your fellowship, and friendship. Remember, we are made in His image. He is willing and able to supply our needs. To read more about God and His desired relationship with you please visit: http://www.reformude.com/first-step.html If you would like to see and hear more visit: http://www.preciousseed.com

Foundational Truths for the Addicted (Part 3)

The first foundational truth is God is that we are made in the image of God.  The second foundational truth is that sin has consequences. 

Foundational Truth #3:   God Holds Us Responsible!

The third foundational truth is that God holds us responsible.  Responsible for our actions and specifically our sins.  Here in Genesis we read the original sin and how God held Adam and Eve responsible for their choices.

Genesis 3:9-13 (KJV) ⁹ And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? ¹⁰ And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. ¹¹ And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? ¹² And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. ¹³ And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

                1.            Adam blamed Eve and God; Eve blamed the Serpent.

It is interestesting to see that Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent.  Neither Adam or Eve realized the truth that it was their choice and consequently their fault. 

When we sin it is our fault!  It is our choice and God holds us accountable.  The first step to recovery for an addict is to own his or her own actions and its consequences.  It is time to stop blaming others and accept the responsibility for what we have done. 

                2.            God determines the consequences of our sins.

Genesis 3:16-19 (KJV) ¹⁶ Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. ¹⁷ And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; ¹⁸ Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; ¹⁹ In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Ezekiel 18:20 (KJV) ²⁰ The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Romans 6:23 (KJV) ²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Matthew 25:46 (KJV) ⁴⁶ And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Revelation 20:14-15 (KJV) ¹⁴ And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵ And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

It is a just, and holy God who has determined the consequences of man's actions.  Many have believed the lie that sin's consequences are under our own control, but this is not true.  God controls the consquences today and for eternity.  The above verses teach that we are judged eternally for our sins.  If we die, without ever dealing with our sin, we face an eternity in the lake of fire, a place known as hell.  I realize this is not popular, but nevertheless it is true.  The Word of God clearly teaches that the eternal result of our sin is death in hell. 

However, God has provided a way of escape; His love demanded it.

Foundational Truth #4:   God Loves Us!

Who sought whom?  Did Adam and Eve seek God or did God seek Adam and Eve?

The answer is obviously that God sought Adam and Eve.  The love God has for man is demonstrated by the fact that God sought man. This truth is still true today.  It is God who is seeking man because of God's great love.  A love so strong that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to atone for man's sins on Calvary's cross.

Romans 8:39 (KJV) ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Who made the Adam and Eve their first set of descent clothing?  What were they made out of?

Genesis 3:21 (KJV) ²¹ Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
For God to make clothing for Adam and Eve out of skins, an animal had to die.  Why?

                1.            God’s Love was Demonstrated by God’s Promise to Adam and Eve.

Genesis 3:14-15 (KJV) ¹⁴ And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: ¹⁵ And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 

The serpent was Satan.

Ezekiel 28:13 (KJV) ¹³ Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

God’ promise to Adam and Eve is that one from the seed of Eve would rise up and defeat Satan.  This promise was fulfilled when Jesus Christ defeated Satan on the cross.

                3.            God’s Love was Demonstrated by God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:8 (KJV) ⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16 (KJV) ¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God out of His love for man has provided salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. 

John 3:36 (KJV) ³⁶ He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

All of the first four foundational truths deal with the salvation of man.  Is there hope for the addicted?  Yes, and the hope is found in Jesus Christ. 

Let me close this article, by offering to each one of you a restored relationship with God. God loves you and God desires to have your fellowship, and friendship. Remember, we are made in His image. He is willing and able to supply our needs. To read more about God and His desired relationship with you please visit: http://www.reformude.com/first-step.html If you would like to see and hear more visit: http://www.preciousseed.com

Foundational Truths for the Addicted (Part 2)

Foundational Truth #2:  Sin Has Consequences

The first foundational truth for the addicted answered the question, who are we?  We are individuals created by God in His image.  God made us and God is able to provide ALL our needs and God made us with an ability to think and choose. 

The second foundational truth for the addicted is to remember that sin has consequences. 

                1.            Their Eyes Were Opened:      Sin Produces Regrets!

• Not physically, but spiritually!
• They saw the folly of eating forbidden fruit.
• They saw the happiness they had fallen from, and the misery they had fallen into.
• They saw a loving God provoked, his grace and favour forfeited, his likeness and image lost, dominion over the creatures gone.
• They saw their natures corrupted and depraved, and felt a disorder in their own spirits of which they had never before been conscious.
• They saw a law in their members warring against the law of their minds, and captivating them both to sin and wrath.

                 2.            They Knew they were Naked:  Sin Produces Guilt and Shame!

• Shame
• Guilt
• Insecurity
• Felt Bad
• Dirty
• Unclean

                3.            They hid themselves from the presence of the Lord:  Sin Separates!

• They were now living independent of God!  Sin causes us to run from God. 
• The benefits they received from God at creation were lost.

                4.            Thou shalt surely die:              Sin Produces Death!
Romans 5:12 (KJV) ¹² Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

·         Death to their relationship with God. 

·         Death to Spiritual Life, now and eternally!
·         Death to Identity.
·         Death to security.
·         Death to Significance. 

All the benefits and attributes of creation were gone!  They union with God was severed.

In our lives we can see the external consequences of our choices, our sin. When people we love give up on us, and the relationship is damaged or severed we understand there are consequences when we sin.  The loss of a job, and the financial hardships remind us of our sins.  The loss of respect both from others and ourselves witness to the fact of this scriptural truth.  Sin has consequences.

Let me close this article, by offering to each one of you a restored relationship with God. God loves you and God desires to have your fellowship, and friendship. Remember, we are made in His image. He is willing and able to supply our needs. To read more about God and His desired relationship with you please visit: http://www.reformude.com/first-step.html If you would like to see and hear more visit: http://www.preciousseed.com

Foundational Truths for the Addicted (Part 1)

The first foundational truth for the addict is the answer to the question Who are you?  It amazes me at how as a society we label the addicted.  I hear regularly people labeling themselves as alcoholics, or addicts and many in society labeling them with terms like drunkard, crackhead, junkie, smackhead, or druggie.  Is this who you are as one struggling with addiction?  I think not.

To understand who we are let us look at where we came from. 

Genesis 1:26 (KJV) ²⁶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Genesis 2:21-23 (KJV) ²¹ And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; ²² And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. ²³ And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

According to God, you are made in the likeness of God.  God's Word declares you as the only one of His creation made in His image.  Yes, you may have made wrong choices that have led you into a lifestyle of addiction, but that is not who you are.  You are God's crowning work in creation.  You are the only one of God's creation made in His image. 

Foundational Truth #1:  You are Made in the Image of God!

Because you are made in the image of God there are two truths I would like for you to consider.

First, the God who made you, is the same God who can provide all of your needs. 

How many needs did Adam and Eve have that God did not directly provide?  Of course, the answer is none. Let's think about that for a second.  Did they have a need for love?  Yes they did, but God provided.  Did they have a need for personal significance and worth?  Yes they did, but God provided.   Were they living free from addiction, free from worry, free from depression, free from bondage, free from materialism, free from jealousy, free from discontentment?  Yes they were because God provided all their needs. 

God provided all their needs through their relationship with Him.  This same God is able to provide these same needs in our lives today. 

Philippians 4:18-20 (KJV) ¹⁸ But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. ¹⁹ But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Notice what Paul is writing to the church at Philippi.  He is stating that through one's relationship with Jesus Christ all of our needs can be met.

Secondly, God made us with the ability to choose and think.

Being made in God’s image enables you to think and choose.  This was the case with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and is the case today.  Many people fail to remember that...

There was evil in the world while Adam and Eve walked in the Garden of Eden.

Isaiah 14:12-14 (KJV) ¹² How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! ¹³ For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: ¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Satan had already been loosed on earth.  His presense here presented Adam and Eve with the choice between right and wrong.

There were choices to obey God’s Word or to disobey God’s Word.

Genesis 2:16-17 (KJV) ¹⁶ And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: ¹⁷ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Like Adam and Eve, each of us is given the freedom to choose to obey or disobey the commands of God. 

 Eve and then Adam choose to disobey God’s Word.

Genesis 3:1-6 (KJV) ¹ Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ² And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: ³ But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. ⁴ And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: ⁵ For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. ⁶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Eve and then, Adam choose to disobey God and disobedience to God's Word has consequences.

Adam and Eve suffered the consequences of their choice.

We lose our freedom to choose when we give in to sin. The consequence are inevitable, incalculable, and up to God. Proverbs 5:22, Proverbs 20:17, Proverbs 9:17-18  RECOVERY PRINCIPLE #9

Click here to learn more about Recovery Principle #9: http://www.reformude.com/10-principles.html
Genesis 3:7-8 (KJV) ⁷ And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. ⁸ And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden

Although we choose to obey or disobey God and His Word, we do not control the outcome of our actions.  God alone determines the consequences to our sin.  This leads us to foundational truth #2.

Foundational Truth #2:  Sin Has Consequences

We will look more at the foundational truths for addicts in the next blog, including the consequences of our choices according to God's Word. 

Let me close this article, by offering to each one of you a restored relationship with God.  God loves you and God desires to have your fellowship, and friendship.  Remember, we are made in His image.  He is willing and able to supply our needs.  To read more about God and His desired relationship with you please visit:  http://www.reformude.com/first-step.html  If you would like to see and hear more visit: http://www.preciousseed.com