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Principle 12: Though we try to find purpose, joy and fulfillment in following ourselves, we can find the answer to our deepest needs only in God, as he provides the only adequate replacement for our self-destructive pursuits. Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I…
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Principle 11: We should regularly meet together with the purpose of encouraging each other to abandon the old life for the pursuit of God.  Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another . .…
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Principle 10: As we all struggle, we must be continually honest, not constructing a facade of perfection, as this is detrimental to our recovery and the recovery of others. If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too…
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Principle 9: God’s eternal forgiveness does not absolve us from practical, earthly consequences. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption . . . Galatians 6:7-8 This concept is often confounding for…
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Principle 8: Though we are forgiven, we are not to use grace as an excuse to continue in our destruction. Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! Romans 6:1-2 Daily, I get up every morning and thank God for his grace and mercy. I pray that I will respond to…
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Principle 7: Though we will fail, there is always grace and forgiveness for those in Christ. I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 8:12 The recovering addict often suffers from tremendous shame. Though his family members pleaded with him, though they prayed for God’s intervention, the addict…
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Principle 6: The Christian life (discipleship) is a continual process of abandoning (crucifying) the flesh nature and following Christ. If you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13 Most of us have suffered from some self-destructive…
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Principle 5: We may always feel the gravity of the flesh, but we are not meant to live enslaved to it. We are meant to know and experience freedom daily in Christ. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 I wrote…
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Principle 4: Though God may graciously deliver us from some thorns of the flesh, some battles are lifelong, requiring the ongoing work of denying self and following Christ. A thorn was given me in the flesh . . . Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he…
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That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.” John 3:6-7 Principle 3: When we come faith in Jesus Christ, we are born again into a new, perfect spirit life and restored to…
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