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Trapped in Addiction? Want to Find Freedom?

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Message Outline

  • What do you turn to for rest?
  • What do you do to anesthetize your pain?

Issue: What is the problem?

1.     World’s words and wisdom

  • World’s perspective on the problem
  • World’s prescription for the problem
  • The answer is man-made, and they turn away from spiritual solutions found in Christ alone.

2.     Scripture’s wisdom is radically different

  • It says we have rejected and replaced God (Jeremiah 2:13)
  • It says temptation primarily happens from within. We cannot blame anyone else for our failures (James 1:13–16)
  • It says that if I am dominated by sin in my life, I have to be concerned for my salvation (1 Corinthians 6:9–10)

Exposition of Proverbs 23:29-35 – adapted from Mark Shaw

Six Question Biblical Evaluation

  1. Who has woe? (Level of condemnation in their life – Recklessness)  
  2. Who has sorrow? (deep sadness, hurt, bitterness, anger, depressions)
  3. Who has strife? (problems in relationships)
  4. Who has complaining? (ungrateful, thanklessness)
  5. Who has wounds without cause? (physical)
  6. Who has redness of eyes? (hopelessness)

Idolatry (vs. 30-31)  Dire consequences (vs. 32)  Twisted perspectives (vs. 33)  Brokenness (vs. 34)  

Aim: What is our hope? What is the goal?

  • 1 Corinthians 6:11 – And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
  • 1 Peter 2:9-10 – 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Adapt: How to change?

  1. We need accountability
  2. We need to confront ourselves
    1. Assessment Tool: Characteristics of a Life Dominating Sin
  3. We need to refuse to go to our idol
  4. We need to run to Christ and His cross

Apply: How to have lasting change?

1.     ANTHEM – adapted from John Piper

These are six tested and proven strategies for fighting lust. I have in mind men and women. For men it’s obvious. The need for warfare against the bombardment of visual temptation to fixate on sexual images is urgent. For women it is less obvious, but just as great if we broaden the scope of temptation to food or figure or relational fantasies. When I say “lust” I mean the realm of thought, imagination, and desire that leads to sexual misconduct. So here is one set of strategies in the war against wrong desires. I put it in the form of an acronym, A N T H E M.

  • A – Avoid as much as is possible and reasonable the sights and situations that arouse unfitting desire
  • N – Say “No” to every lustful thought within five seconds
    • REJECT – As John Owen said, “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.” (James 4:7).
  • T – Turn the mind forcefully toward Christ as a superior satisfaction
  • H – Hold the promise and the pleasure of Christ firmly in your mind until it pushes the other images out
  • E – Enjoy a superior satisfaction
  • M – Move into a useful activity away from idleness and other vulnerable behaviors

2.     Create Your Plans for Change and Transformation

  • Construction plan – daily plan to build a new life
  • Evacuation plan – when danger arises, how will you flee to safety?
  • Reconciliation plan – how will make things right and reconcile with those you have hurt and harmed

3. Our ultimate satisfaction – the Lord Jesus Christ

Isaiah 61:1-2

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
    he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

 ______________________________________________________________________________ 

ABOUT JAMES AND LESSONS FOR LIFE 

Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 25 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living by God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are on a search for freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show! 

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