Pointing Out the Path to Freedom_ Addictions

I have shared a number of times how I had to struggle through abuse and try to overcome it. I sincerely understand that it is one of the most difficult thing to do and one of the hardest strongholds to break. The adverse effect of sexual abuse is sexual addiction. And I am unashamed through Christ to share that I have actually gone through most of the things I share with you guys.

I found a very interesting part of my devotional on the Youversion Bible app, and I decided to share it with us. I believe you’ve downloaded the Youversion Bible app already!!!

Given the broad range of addictions, it’s likely that you will either know or be an addict. If you depend on anything more than you do on God, that’s at best addiction and at worst idolatry. Think about how God loves you and has better plans for you than you can even imagine, and seek help.

And when you reach out to a person with an addiction, use the acronym Love as a guide:

L—Listen. Get to know them on a personal level. Don’t offer any advice until you’ve listened. Don’t be the person who wants to tell them how to “get fixed” before you find out how they got broken.

O—Offer support. Let the struggler know you are available to pray, wrestle with the issues, and stand with them through all the ups and downs of recovery from addiction. As a representative of Christ, offer them a chance to hear the gospel and respond, even if it’s with what appears to be a weak faith.

V—Voice God’s truth. Don’t be embarrassed by the promises and prohibitions of the Scriptures. Find out what God has to say in His Word about breaking free of the world, and speak openly about it. Certainly the heart of the gospel is love. Let your hearer know that though God accepts us just as we are, He loves us too much to leave us that way.

E—Esteem. All people deserve some level of respect simply because they have been made in the image of God, however marred that image may be. That doesn’t mean you must agree with them or support their activities, but it means that you voice and show your respect as a living testimony that you belong to Christ.

Jesus loves addicts. Will you? And if you’re struggling with an addiction, will you love Jesus and commit to follow Him? No one else can offer you the freedom He has for you.

A Good Addiction

One final thought: God’s Word actually speaks of one type of addiction in a positive way. In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he mentioned how the household of Stephanas had “devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints” (1 Corinthians 16:15). In the King James Version, devoted is translated addicted. The Greek word is tássō, meaning to place in a certain order.

The idea is that their priorities were God’s priorities; they were addicted to doing His will—filling the God-shaped hole in their heart with God. Will you commit to doing the same?

For Further Thought

Have you had an opportunity to practice the acronym LOVE? If so, what did God show you through that situation? If not, are you willing to commit it to memory and put it into practice the next chance you get?

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But the Lord said, “My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.” So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me. Yes, I am glad to have weaknesses if they are for Christ. I am glad to be insulted and have hard times. I am glad when I am persecuted and have problems, because it is when I am weak that I am really strong.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬ ‭ERV

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Love, Lima❤️