Overcoming Addiction – Part 1
Overcomers Week #8
Overcoming Addiction
Luke 15:11-24
If you step out of an addiction but you only deal with the fruit, not the root, chances are you’ll just step right into another addiction.
Four Steps To Overcoming addiction:
1. Self-Realization
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. Luke 15:11-13
Not getting out of an addictive behavior is going to cost you something
After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! Luke 15:14-17
Other people can’t decide when you’re going to step into healing
2. Confession
I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ Luke 15:18-19
3 Reasons we don’t typically confess:
a. Blame
Victims never walk in victory
b. Fear
We typically drift toward things that make us comfortable
c. Shame
3. Understand it’s a Process
So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20
4. Embrace Community
So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Luke 15:20-24
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9