Freedom From Addiction: Breaking the Bondage of Addiction and Finding Freedom in Christ by Neil T. Anderson

Author:Neil T. Anderson [Anderson, Neil T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: recover
ISBN: 9781441265791
Goodreads: 22641189
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Published: 1996-06-11T05:00:00+00:00

Several hundred years ago, Martin Luther pointed out that nothing we do helps us spiritually. Only faith helps us—only what we believe.

Inherent in the stronghold of self-help is the misbelief that I can change myself. It's a commitment to the old cliché, “If it is going to be it is up to me.” In Christianity, it's nothing but bootstrap religion and positive legalism. It's just another version of “God helps those who help themselves.” For some strange reason, most people believe that if they can change their behaviors, they will be able to change as a person. This is simply untrue.

Alcoholics and addicts know they can enter a treatment center for any length of time and be fine while there and have little struggle. If their beliefs aren't changed, however, they leave and quickly return to their old habits. Only God can change a person. When Christians understand their identities in Christ, their behaviors will change. Most Christians are trying to be someone they already are and get something they already have. The truth is we are in Christ, dead to sin, freed from it, alive to God, victorious and righteous in Him. When we believe these truths, our behaviors will change.

One of the greatest deceptions is believing that if we do something spiritual, our lives will automatically change. Nothing could be further from the truth. Several hundred years ago, Martin Luther pointed out that nothing we do helps us spiritually. Only faith helps us—only what we believe. I believed that if I could spend enough time in prayer, read my Bible enough, memorize enough Scripture, it would change me; it didn't.

When we give up on ourselves, then we're ready to look to God and get some help. Several years ago, I was instrumental in convincing the court to release a young woman from jail so she could enter a Christian treatment center for her drug problem. She was from an affluent family, and her mother told me they had spent more than $250,000 on her treatment. Her life was turned around at the Christian treatment center, which was free of charge.

It is most difficult to let go of our own beliefs and devices. God only responds to faith, not our empty promises and futile strivings. Isaiah 50:11 (NIV) tells us what happens to those of us who try to work it out by ourselves: “But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you will receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.”

The prophet Jeremiah got to the heart of the issue, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water” (Jer. 2:13, NIV). Anything done in your own energy is a broken cistern that won't help you—no matter how noble or spiritual.

The major reason for the anemic condition of today's Church is our lapse into positive legalism.

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