Get Fit for Life
I. How Do I Know If I Have An Addiction?
Myth #1: People like me become addicted
Myth #2: I'm not for my addiction. It's a disease.
Myth #3: Addiction means drinking or using drugs .
Signs of Addiction Include:
II. What Causes Lack of Self-Control?
Myth #4: Addiction is simply a lack of .
After the
Flood, Noah became a farmer and planted a vineyard. One day he became drunk on
some wine he had made and lay naked in his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw
that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers. Shem and
Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, walked backward into the
tent, and covered their father's naked body. As they did this, they looked the
other way so they wouldn't see him naked.
Genesis
9:20-23
Myth #5: I'm safe because I don't have a of addiction.
Myth #6: My behavior doesn't hurt but .
You must never
worship or bow down to them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who
will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the
sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their
parents to the third and fourth generations.
Exodus 20:5
Myth #7: I am in so deep, not even can help me.
Oh, what a
miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by
sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 7:24-25
III. How Can I Change My Behavior?
Myth #8: I don't need any to overcome my addiction.
Stage 1 -- Not to Change
Myth #9: You'll never begin recovery until you've hit bottom.
Don't be
misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will
always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful
desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to
please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
Galatians
6:7-8
"No one
can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted
to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Matthew
6:24
Stage 2 -- to Change
Dear Father, please forgive me for not making You first in my life. I am sorry that I trusted in _____________ when I should have trusted in You. I want to let go of all my false gods, but I cannot give them up on my own. I know I can be saved only because of Your Son, Jesus. Please come into my heart and control my life. Amen.
Stage 3 --
Myth #10: "If you were really a strong person (or a real Christian), you wouldn't need any help." Satan
Don't you know
that those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don't fool
yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers,
adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards,
abusers, and swindlersÑnone of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God.
There was a time when some of you were just like that, but now your sins have
been washed away, and you have been set apart for God. You have been made right
with God because of what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God have
done for you.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
For God has
not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and
self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
For the grace
of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are
instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in
this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God,
Titus 2:11-12
4-Step Process to Deal with Temptation
Stage 4: Change
Myth #12: I to be an addict
For I can do
everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
Philippians 4:13
IV. What Next?
1. Get serious about your life with Christ.
2. Pray and ask God for his help and guidance
3. Tell your family and friends that you need help.
4. Locate a support group.