Month: April 2020

The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” John 8:48 Not everyone was caught by surprise when my addiction came to light. There were a couple of individuals who had figured out what was happening, and in my downward spiral, they sought to warn…
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Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God. John 8:47 I once thought that being a Christian insulated me from addiction. I grew up in a Christian home, I believed in God from a young age, and I’ve genuinely…
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When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 Most of us who’ve been addicted have bought into the lie that the drug is going to improve our lives. When I first started using, I realized I could easily manage my own…
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You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. John 8:44 Growing up, my brother and I fought as brothers will do. After one particularly contentious day, when I was probably five or six, I proclaimed that I didn’t want to live at home with my brother anymore.…
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So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 I daily find freedom from my addiction in following Christ. I believe that following his way, instead of my own, is the foundation of my recovery. I also believe however, that Christians have often tragically led addicts astray because we’ve misunderstood…
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Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. John 8:34 The other day, my son showed me a humorous video reenactment of a conversation between God and Gabriel at creation. At one point in the video, Gabriel suggests that God make healthy food taste good and unhealthy food…
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They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” John 8:33 When I was a kid, if I’d had my way, I’d probably have just sat on the couch, eating junk food and watching TV all day. Fortunately, I…
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If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32 I’m ashamed to admit it, but my 2014 trip to chemical dependency treatment wasn’t my first attempt. I completed two prior out-patient treatments, spending 10 hours every week for…
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I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 We woke up to find snow on the ground this Easter morning. The coronavirus pandemic means that we won’t go to church today as we normally would. The sky is gray and…
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Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more. John 8:11 Every time I abused pills, I asked God to forgive me. I constantly felt guilty, but I couldn’t stop. I found comfort in my belief that God forgave me no matter how many times I failed. I even threw this…
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