This is the fourth podcast in a nine part series entitled “Overcoming Addiction.” For the various counseling options available from this material visit www.summitrdu.com/counseling.
- The “Overcoming Addiction” seminar is also available in video format.
NOTE: Many people have asked how they can get a copy of the seminar notebook referenced in this verbal presentation. Summit members can pick up a copy of the notebook in the church office. For those outside the Summit family, you can request a copy from Summit’s admin over counseling at counseling@summitrdu.com (please note this is an administrative account; no individual or family counsel is provided through e-mail).
“Returning to God as Refuge from Substance as Escape”
REPENT TO GOD for how my sin replaced and misrepresented Him.
“My addiction is a counterfeit god mocking my Savior. I am beginning to see how offensive my addiction is to God and how much pride I express trying to be/replace God with my addiction. I repent not merely because my addiction hurts other people or disrupts my life, but because God is superior to my addiction and lovingly enables me to love Him (I John 4:19).”
Memorize: Acts 3:19-20 (ESV), “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” As you memorize this passage reflect upon these key points:
- “Repent… turn back” – The core meaning of “repent” is not “feel very bad” but “make a U-turn” back to God.
- “Blotted out” – God has no intention of shaming you with your sin. Instead, he wants to free you from false idols.
- “Times of refreshing” – If we rightly understood repentance, our anticipation of the effect of repentance would be more enjoyable than the effect of our substance of choice.
- “The presence of the Lord” – Repentance is what reconnects us with the source of our strength and hope.
- “May send the Christ” – Repentance unlocks the door of our life to unleash the return of the hero, Christ.
Teaching Notes
“When it comes to addictive behaviors, individuals often refer to that elusive characteristic called ‘will power’ as the only thing needed for change. However, the definition is often circular and unhelpful. Successful changers have it and unsuccessful ones do not (p. 157).” Carlo DiClemente in Addictions and Change
“The only master who is not harsh and enslaving is Christ himself (p. 213).” Ed Welch in Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave
“It is possible to approach grace as if it were just another thing to be addicted to… Grace itself cannot be possessed; it is eternally free, and like the Spirit that gives it, it blows where it will. We can seek it and try to be open to it, but we cannot control it… Our addictions fill up the spaces within us, spaces where grace might flow (p. 17).” Gerald May in Addiction & Grace
“Repentance is how you begin to enjoy the freedom of your loving relationship with God. True repentance affects our whole person and changes our entire view of life. Repentance is to take God’s point of view on our lives instead of our own (p. 91).” John Baker in Celebrate Recovery: Leader’s Guide
“If we don’t surrender to Christ, we will surrender to chaos (p. 16)!” John Baker in Celebrate Recovery: Leader’s Guide
“The real reason God can deliver you is because he is the only one who is more beautiful than your addiction (p. 16).” Ed Welch in Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Addiction
“Thus the more we become accustomed to seeking spiritual satisfaction through things other than God, the more abnormal and stressful it becomes to look for God directly (p. 93).” Gerald May in Addiction & Grace
“Sin can’t thrive in a humble heart (p. 128).” Kris Lungaard in The Enemy Within
Other podcasts in the G4-addiction series are available at:
SUBSCRIBE
