How to Get Free from Your Addiction

At times people struggle with many things such as impure sexual activities, eating disorders, drugs, alcohol, and other addictive behavior. As Christians we are encouraged to turn away from anything that is not pleasing to God. This guide will help you realize the sin and turn towards God rather than against Him.

Addiction is known as any activity in which you crave, desire, and will do anything in order to have it. You nice this things because they are hidden well from other or deceptive in order to have it.

Answer these question:
- Do you hide ANY activity in your life from others?
- Do you sneak and do things that if exposed would lead to shame?
- Are you ashamed after you have indulged in your addiction?
- Do you lose sleep because you are staying up late attending your addiction?
- Do you hide the addition from your children or parents?

If you answered Yes to any of the above questions; follow the steps below:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet
• Accountability Partner
• Bible
• Pen/Paper

1. 
   Your family can be hurt by your addiction

   Admit and Confess that you have a problem. Your family or friends may have made comments to you about your addictive habit but it is because they love you and may be feeling hurt. You may also have stopped reading your Bible or going to church due to the guilt.
   
   "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:19.

2. 
   Addictions can cause excessive spending

   Understand Why you must change. Addictions are usually selfish acts that satisfy the flesh. If you spend your time with the addition it will take away time from God and your family.
   
   It takes time to plan to commit an act or sin that is done in secret. As Christians we are taught through the Bible that Jesus died for our sins. We must confess those sins and strive not to commit them again.
   
   "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment" Mark 12:30
   
   "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" 1 John 2:15

3. 
   You can not hid behind your sin

   Seek help. What is done in secret WILL come to light. You can not hide anything from God. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from Gods sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" Hebrews 4:13
   
   Talk to your pastor or decon and ask for help. Find a website or local support group that will help you recover from an addictive habit for free. Links at the bottom of this site will direct you to some of them.

4. 

   Pray and Ask God to forgive you of your sin. Say the name of your addition in your prayer. For example say a prayer such as: Lord I confess and admit that I am addicted to ______. I would like for Jesus Christ to come into my life and remove my desire for ______. I ask that you would feel the void that _____ use to fill with your loving Sprit. Please forgive me for this sin and others.

5. 

   Get rid of your addiction. "And I said to them, 'Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God'" Ezekiel 20:7
   
   Start now by getting rid of everything that relates to your addition:
   Adultery: Break up with the other person. Throw away their number and block them from calling.
   Eating Disorder: Eat a balanced meal. Get rid of sweets and add in healthy food. Avoid binge eating.
   Lust: Avoid looking at the body of another person whom is not your spouse. Look everyone in the face.
   Pornography: Install an internet filter, burn or destroy the magazines and videos.
   Alcohol: Pour out the liquor, avoid buying more.
   Fornication: Avoid having sex. Meet your boyfriend or girlfriend in an open location. Talk to them about being celibate.
   Homosexuality: Avoid having sex, talk to your pastor about recovery.
   Lying: Strive to tell the truth in love or stay quiet.
   Gossip: Keep information to yourself and pray for the person.
   Prostitution: Seek help from local ministries and get away when God opens an opportunity.

6. 
   Read your Bible

   Write down these scriptures and meditate on them:
   
   - Luke 9:23-26
   - Luke 12:22-32
   - Matthew 6:19-21
   - Luke 16:13
   - Matt 19:27-28
   - Romans 12:1-2
   - Hebrews 10:38

Tips & Warnings

• Leaving your addiction must be a continual effort.
• Get a mentor or friend to help.
• Pray daily for God to remove the addiction and fill the void.
• You must sacrifice yourself to be pleasing to God.

Resources

• Eating Disorder
• Sexual Desires
• Knowing Christ
• Drugs and Alcohol
• Cutting Self

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on 8/2/2009 Thanks for sharing. very important.