Magic Lever
What if we could pull a magic lever and never be tempted by our addiction ever again? While there is no magic lever there is a lever. Some have pulled it 55% of the way down, others 65%, others 80% but only a few pull it 100% of the way down. The reason the lever is not pulled all the way down is because the farther we pull it the harder it gets to continue.
55% pull – many have developed some skill in fighting addiction. Changed thinking, awareness of triggers etc. Other have that plus have added a real relationship with Jesus including Bible study and pray – putting them at 65%. Temptation gets lighter.
Others have all that plus now they are fighting to find their purpose, help others and let people know about their exciting relationship with Jesus. A new light filled way of life and an 80% pull. Temptation has decreased quite a bit – they have a lot of others important things to focus on.
Proverbs talks about a 100% pull: Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version (NIV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
In all your ways submit to him: this is where the pull gets really hard. But remember the reward “He will make your paths straight.” We all underestimate how great our lives will be when He makes our paths straight.
I know someone who always Trusts and always submits to God. Their life is great and they are always filled with joy. But it is really hard work to submit in all your ways. Are you up for the challenge?
It is good to notice how the simple things in life are better when you avoid addiction. Yesterday I enjoyed sitting around talking to my wife. Cutting the grass was a nice relaxing experience. I watched and enjoyed sports on TV. I was not being driven by addiction. My whole day was better because of that.
Having said that, I love thrills. Yesterday I found a very exciting game to play which satisfied my thrill seeking nature. Instead of drugs for thrills you may want to try skydiving, hang gliding, auto racing, boxing, scuba diving, flying, platform diving, sailplaning, bungee jumping, skiing, ski jumping, wilderness adventure, river rafting, rock climbing or games.
Relationships: many of us have allowed relationships to drive us back to addiction. Relational discord happens when you allow others, to occupy the place that was reserved for Jesus Christ. What happens when another person becomes the center of your universe? You end up putting all kinds of pressure on the person who you want to complete you. They will never be able to do it and they will let you down.
Common situations. We allow another persons pain to be the center of our universe. Or another persons wrong doing. Even another persons affection cannot occupy the center of our universe. We will never be great at living or loving until we experience great love. When you believe and recieve Jesus Christ, what you get in response is unfailing love. When we move Jesus back into the center of our lives we can begin to find peace, joy and sobriety.
Thomas Horvath in his book Sex, Drugs, Drugs and Chocolate said the following: “Addiction can be thought of as a bad habit. If you eliminate this bad habit, you will be creating a vacuum, an empty spot in your life. Nature abhors a vacuum. If you do not fill this vacuum with something new (like a good habit, a positive addiction), there is a significant risk that the addiction will return. For instance, if you end all you friendships because all your friends are users, but do not develop new friendships, you will get lonely. As your loneliness increases, it will be increasingly easy to go back to your old friends. Any repeated action or activity that serves your ultimate goals and values is a good habit. I suggested earlier that by living in accordance with your ultimate goals and values, you increase the chances for being happy.
What vacuum have you created by your goal to quit porn or out of control sex?
You need a 3 pronged plan to break a porn or sex addiction. Write out your plan of how you will fill this vacuum today, this week and this month.
If you are a Christian memorize 2nd Corinthians 3:17 – Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
If you want to overcome lust, don’t let sin ruin your life. When you let sin in, the Spirit of the Lord leaves. The Bible says we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
The sense in which we are to work out our salvation in fear and trembling is twofold. First, the Greek verb rendered “work out” means “to continually work to bring something to completion or fruition.” We do this by actively pursuing obedience in the process of sanctification, which Paul explains further in the next chapter of Philippians. He describes himself as “straining” and “pressing on” toward the goal of Christlikeness (Philippians 3:13-14). The “trembling” he experiences is the attitude Christians are to have in pursuing this goal—a healthy fear of offending God through disobedience and an awe and respect for His majesty and holiness. Obedience and submission to the God we revere and respect is our “reasonable service” (Romans 12:1-2) and brings great joy. Psalm 2:11 sums it up perfectly: “Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.” We work out our salvation by going to the very source of our salvation—the Word of God—wherein we renew our hearts and minds (Romans 12:1-2), coming into His presence with a spirit of reverence and awe.
When we repent of our sin the Spirit of the Lord returns. However Hebrews 10 implies that we can run out of chances.
Psalm 147:11
the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Continue to read the Purpose Driven Life
Pray “Father keep me from temptation”.
PRAYER FOR FREEDOM FROM ADDICTION
Lord Jesus, You said, “I have come to set the captives free.” We are captive and need Your healing touch. Free us, Lord, from our addictions, so that we will be:
…free from the cares and worries that stifle our happiness;
…free from sins that cling to us, and to which we cling;
…free from all compulsive behavior that prevents us from becoming what You, Lord, have planned for us.
Bring us, loving Savior, to the experience of abundant life which You promised. Amen.
Read John 17 and 2nd Corinthians 1 and Proverbs 15
What The Bible Says About Addiction is my new 340 page e-book which is filled with new information about quitting addiction. This book is Based 95% on the Bible (New Testament) with a few of my quitting addiction theories added. Reading it allows the Holy Spirit to renew your mind. Click here to access it. Please leave a good review if you like it.
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Thank you for reading day of this program: Overcoming lust.
Quitting a porn addiction
Index
Day 1: Overcoming cravings
Day2 : Is God real?
Day 3: Quitting addiction exercises
Day 4: Getting negative emotions out
Day 5: You can never increase the amount of pleasure that you can have for the month by going back to an addiction
Day 6: Sin leads back to addiction
Day 7: Worshiping God helps us overcome addiction
Day 8: What causes you to stay addicted
Day 9: Develop positive addicitons
Day 10: Overcoming negative emotions
Day 11: You have some self control
Day 12: Always have a list of alternate activities to do when temptation hits
Day 13: Only living water can satisfy you for good
Day 14: Learning form the story of Adam and Eve
Day 15: Blessings and curses
Day 16: Self Control
Day 17: Self Control continued
Day 18: Learning to pray
Day 19: What kind of prayers does God answer