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IV. Overcoming The Addiction Itself
We spent most of the time explaining how you become
addicted, now we need to learn how to recover from the addiction. Here are the
TEN STEPS that we have adopted here at Recovery Ministries.
- Be honest with yourself about the addiction
- Understand that you alone are powerless of this addiction
- Realize that victory over the addiction can only come from a personal
relationship with Christ
As we develop a closer relationship with Christ, He points out those weak
areas in our life that set the stage for the addiction. Satan has been the
controlling influence in our thought life up until now. We identified our
weakness for him and now he uses that weakness to defeat us. John 8:36 "If
the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
- Give up previous attempts to dissolve the addiction
You may have tried any number of things to control this addiction. For instance
you may have tried behavioral changes like avoiding sexual contact with certain
people, limiting your contact with people of the opposite sex. Maybe you have
tried masturbating believing that this release would curb your desire yet
you found that it only intensified the problem. The Bible does not specifically
call masturbation a sin. As a matter of fact the Bible is notably silent concerning
masturbation. There is no scripture that identifies this as a sin. We do know
however that masturbating comes from lustful thoughts or produces lustful
thoughts. Masturbating is often the way that a person can fulfill their most
private sexual fantasies. We tend to hold on to past attempts to gain victory
in hopes that they will work this time.
- Understand that sexual addiction is a mental addiction
Remember this addiction is different from any other addiction because
it takes place in the mind. Drug addiction comes from an outside stimulus.
Addiction to alcohol comes from an outside stimulus. Addiction to prescription
drugs originates from an outside source. But sexual addiction originates in
the mind. If you are going to gain victory over this addiction you must change
the way you think. Philippians 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of
good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think
on these things. You can get away from the drugs to purge your body of
the chemical dependency. You can abstain from alcohol to dry out but you cannot
get away from your mind. You will remain defeated if you determine not
to think about sex. Satan is already aware that you have this weakness so
he will continually parade sexually stimulating objects in front of you. Your
only defense is to think "pure thoughts on purpose". Try these steps
in order to think pure thoughts on purpose.
- Memorize scripture that focus on Heavenly things
- Begin your day with Bible reading
- Listen to informational tapes like preaching tapes while in your
automobile or during idle time.
- Live in an offensive mode not a defensive mode
We tend to spend way too much time defending ourselves from the fiery
darts of the wicked instead of firing darts at the wicked. Here is an example,
pick someone you know is lost and needs to be saved. Every time Satan tempts
you to think lustful or sexual thoughts begin immediately praying for that
lost person to be saved. Notice you do not pray for the thoughts to be taken
away, that’s defensive. You pray for someone to be saved, that’s offensive.
Think about it, does God want that person to be saved? Certainly He does.
Does Satan know that God will answer your prayer? Yes he does. Is Satan going
to continue to tempt you if he knows that his tempting prompts you to do the
thing that could cause him the most damage? Not likely.
- Eliminate all the pornography or lustful material in your home
That may mean to eliminate pornographic material, magazines, Internet
activity, or sales catalogs. You will have to limit what you watch on television.
It may mean you have to eliminate all television until you have victory over
the addiction.
- Spend a lot of time with people who are NOT battling sexual addiction
Remember the osmosis principle. You tend to think like those you associate
with.
- Make yourself accountable to someone out of your family circle
You must be very careful here. You cannot make yourself accountable to
just anyone. It must be someone you trust completely even with your life.
If this person says one word about your addiction to anyone else he will do
more damage than he could have ever done for good. I know of people that have
been permanently scared emotionally because they confided in someone who could
not keep it to their self. Do not be accountable to someone of the opposite
sex. Simply discussing the subject with someone of the opposite sex will stimulate
your sexual appetites. When you have made yourself accountable to someone
you tend to work harder to abstain from sinful behavior because you are aware
that you will be asked about your behavior.
- Once you have victory begin helping others who are battling the same
addiction.
Nothing will solidify your recovery like feeling the victory of helping
someone else win the victory over sexual addiction. Remember you must have
victory first and then you will keep yourself in check by helping others deal
with the addiction.
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