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Overcoming Habits and Addictions

1/26/2018

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"For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes]."
​-- I Corinthians 2:16(AMP)

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What if I told you that you can overcome any habit or addiction simply by applying the God's word? Would you dismiss the notion and give me the side-eye believing it sounds too good to be true? Well, before you discount me, please allow me to unpack this biblical truth.

​We understand that a habit is any act, tendency, or behavior that is regular and hard to give up.  An addiction is a compulsive need to engage in an act, tendency, or behavior with an inability to stop despite harmful consequences and personal/interpersonal distress that is caused as a result.  Since habits and addictions evolve and become stronger and more fortified over time, it's important to examine where they originate.

​"And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread."--Matthew 4:3

 "And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."--Job 2:2

​"
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour..."--I Peter 5:8

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From the aforementioned references, we can conclude that the enemy is always on the prowl for his next victim.  He is ruthless, relentless, and evil and he never plays fair.  If we are going to experience victory in our lives and not fall prey to the snares, traps, tricks, and schemes of the enemy--it will only happen through the word of God.

​The Bible warns us that Satan will come to tempt, just as he tempted Jesus.  It's important to note that when the enemy came to Jesus, Jesus was tired and hungry.  Translation, He was vulnerable and open.  Beware when you are in a place of mental fatigue, exhaustion, and weariness.  This is prime time for the enemy!  "Stressed out? Here's something to relax you."  He will always offer something that looks good, sounds good--but don't be duped! There's always a price to pay.  Years ago, I had a friend whose boyfriend broke up with her.  She was devastated and beyond consoling.  A family member gave her a "hot toddy" to help her calm down; this was the beginning of drinking problem and a dependence in a poor coping mechanism.  See?  The enemy does not play fair!

​We would do well to remember Jesus' response when the tempter.

Tempter: G3985-peirazo: one who tests one's faith, virtue or character by enticement to sin; to solicit to sin. 

Jesus reminded Satan that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that comes out of God's mouth:


"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."--Matthew 4:4".

If we are living by every word that proceeds out of the  mouth of God, then we are grabbing hold (by faith) of the biblical truth that we have the "mind of Christ".  We have been endowed with the divine capacity to  withstand any temptation and overcome any habit or addiction.

​So, what about a habit or an addiction that is fixed or long-term?  We simply renounce it and begin to decree and pray the word of God over our lives until His truth become our reality and core belief.  If it's a habit of nail-biting, become mindful and aware of the urge to bite your nails.  Why do I want to bite?  Am I bored?  Nervous? Or has it become so instinctive, I don't even know why?  Take authority over the urge.  Decree you have the mind of Christ!  Speak God's word over the habit/addiction.  The more mindful we become of triggers and urges, the quicker we can decree the word of God.  The more we practice mindfulness and biblical application of the word, the more new neuropathways we build.  Radical transformation is happening.


​"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."
--Romans 12:2

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Real, lasting, and authentic change is possible when we follow God's blueprint for our lives.  He really does desire that we live life to the full (John 10:10), not bound by harmful and destructive habits and addictions.


Prayer:
​Father, in the name of Jesus, we pray for those who are struggling with an addiction or habit.  We pray for those struggling with heroin/opioid addiction, or gambling, or pornography, alcohol or substance abuse.  We pray for grace, courage, and strength to do the hard work and resist the tempter with the word of God.  You promised that if we resist the devil, he will flee (James 4:7)! We pray for those who struggling with habitual lying and deception.  Thank you for the capacity to be people of truth!  Thank you for your unfailing love and your desire to see all of your children free--thriving and full of faith!  Amen and so be it according to your word.


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For more information on renewing of the mind, clink on the button below to read our article on Neuroplasticity and the Renewed Mind.
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***Greek word study from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance***
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No Chasms in God's Love

1/15/2018

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​"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."​--Romans 8:38(NLT)

It would appear that we are living in a time in which truth is obsolete.  Blame-shifting, avoidance, denial, selective amnesia and failure to recall are techniques masterfully employed to elude truth.  This reality is being played out in government, mainstream media, our schools, our families, and our homes.  Yet, a lie will never be truth and it will never be right.  We can state this with assurance based on the word of God.  We know that Satan is the "father of lies" and there is no truth in him (John 8:44).  He operates through deception and falsehoods, often emboldening lies we believe in our hearts, in an incessant effort to separate us from our heavenly Father.  ​​For example, it's not uncommon people feel that God would never forgive them or "want" them for something they have said or done. This is a lie that Satan emboldens in our minds.

Many are riddled with unreconciled guilt simply because they are too ashamed to talk about what has occurred.  Others resign themselves to "live with it" or purpose to "bury" it in their hearts in efforts to avoid or forget.  And others, simply deny.  The problem with these measures is that none of them bring wellness, health, or healing to our souls.  In fact quite the contrary John 10:10 tells us that the enemy (Satan) comes to kill, steal, and destroy.  When we opt to believe lies or live in perpetual states of denial, avoidance, blaming we forfeit the gift that Jesus offers us all--the ability to live the zoe life, as God intended (John 10:10).  This is life full of abundance, satisfaction, and love.  

​I recall a conversation with someone who was experiencing overwhelming anguish, personal pain, and suffering.  A troubled past and long history of substance abuse caused him to believe he had lived a "bad" life.  He believed his "past was catching up with him" and ultimately was convinced he was being punished by God for past indiscretions.  Because he believed this lie, he did not feel he could turn to God in the midst of his great pain.  He didn't believe that God would listen to him--much love, forgive, or accept him.  These erroneous thoughts are debilitating and crippling.  They cripple and stagnate movement in our journey.  We stall out at a place of brokenness; helpless to move because we do not believe we can turn to God.  This is the enemy!  We would do well to remember that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.

​If any of this resonates with you, there is good news for you today!  God is with you--even if you find yourself in a dark and abysmal place.  Don't believe me?  May I encourage you to read Psalm 139:8?  David suggests that there is no place he can go that God is not there.  David  states that if he willfully, volitionally, and intentionally makes his bed in hell (H7585--sheowl: extreme degradation in sin) God is there!  Whoa, wait...what? Even when we are purposefully engaging in what is dark and godless, God is there? Yes.

​Herein lies one of the deceptions of the enemy.  We are NEVER separated from God or his everlasting love.  God's love is not conditional based and it is not merit based.  There is no chasm, discrimination, or refusals in God's abundant love and his relentless pursuit for his children.  The Bible is loaded with case studies on those, with questionable histories, who were recipients of God's love.  Consider the prodigal son.  When he returned home to his father, after making his proverbial bed in hell, he was celebrated.  His father joyfully and warmly received him and held a huge "Welcome Back" party in his honor (Luke 15:11-32).  Even the crooked tax-collector, Zacchias, was embraced by Jesus (Luke 19:1-10).  The woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:1-11) and Saul who killed many Jews (Acts 8) are further examples of those who illustrate that we are never separated from God's love.

​May I encourage you today to receive the good news of the Father?  Purpose to make this day your moment of reckoning and a turning point.  Confess your sin(s) before him.  Receive his love, mercy, and grace. Talk to a Pastor or clergy member--share your story and be relieved of the burden and weight of carrying something that God never intended for you to bear.
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Doing Valiantly

1/3/2018

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"Through and with God we shall do valiantly, for He it is Who shall tread down our adversaries."--Psalm 108:13(AMPC)
"New Year 2018"

​The beginning of a new year, typically marks a season of "new beginnings"-- a fresh start, if you will.  There are New Year's resolutions and a renewed desire to set goals and see them to completion. There's exuberance and expectation--nothing will can stand in your way!

You may be saying, "Blah, blah, blah..."  Right, I hear you.  For most of us, this is not our first rodeo;  we start out with ambition.  Bursts of excitement, enthusiasm, and dogged determination are motivating--yet these things often fizzle fast.  Self-effort, sans the power of God at work in our lives, will be limited and fleeting; often leaving us feeling frustrated, defeated, and at a loss.  

​Psalm 108:13 is God's promise to us that when invite and include Him into our lives, our dreams, our goals, our desires we will excel in strength, might, and ability.  In so doing, God assures us that he will defeat our  adversaries. This is good news from the word of God that we can take to the bank! 

​Consider the following Hebrew Word Study for further prayer and contemplation:
​
​Valiantly (H2428)-chayil: strength, might, strong, power, wealth, efficiency, to display valor and to show one's self strong

Tread down (H947)-buwc: tread down, desecrate, trample to pieces

​Enemies/adversaries(H6862)-tsar: trouble, distress, affliction, foe, anguish, tribulation

​Is there an area of your live in which you desire to do valiantly?  Is there an adversary that you are able to identify?  Perhaps it's a vice, a habit, an addiction?  Maybe an unresolved area of hurt, pain, shame, guilt, or offense?  Perhaps there is a strained or contentious relationship?  Or, maybe you struggle with explosive anger or anxiety or envy or lying?  Is it a family secret? A problematic behavior in a child? 

Anything that is bringing trouble or distress to our souls is an adversary.  Anything that is impeding our capacity to live the "zoe" life (John 10:10) that Jesus promises, is an adversary.  We all have an adversary, but it's no match for God!  The tragedy is that so many of us become tired and weary on our journey, that we become desensitized to our adversary and begin to "live with it" or accept it.  This is not God's desire for his children.

​May I encourage you to take some to time to reflect and process the promise of God as indicated in Psalm 108:13?  Identify the adversary in your life.  Is it new or has it been hanging around for a while?  Is it a generational adversary?  If you can identify it, you have begun your journey.  If you invite the help of God, you are on your way to doing valiantly and experiencing victory in 2018 and beyond!

​ ***Hebrew word study derived from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance***


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    I am a wife, mother, and Christian counselor who believes that God can heal and restore our broken hearts and put us on the road to wholeness, purpose, and productivity in our lives when we follow and trust his "GPS".

               2022 abrokenheartsgps.org.   856-473-5937    "Finding our way--through God's love."
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