How To Overcome An Addiction To Mountain Dew

[swathdiver]

I must be getting old or something is happening, I've never seen so many people suffering from so many things and different directions at once before.  

[JerryNumbers]

Addiction is about control.

It is something that controls you.

Addiction can cause health problems, but it is primarily spiritual and emotional.

If it was purely physical then addiction to gambling, excitement (thrillseeking), and pornography would not be possible.

And victory over addiction by spiritual means would not be possible.

That is not to say that there are no physical aspects - physical withdrawal symptoms are very real.
But the actual addiction itself is a spiritual and emotional thing.
What you are addicted to EFFECTS you in different ways, but the addiction itself is at its base an unwillingness to submit to God's leading, guidance, and commands.

You can be addicted to things which are not sinful in themselves - car magazines for instance. At times I have bought and read car magazines to the exclusion of reading God's Word. Bought each new magazine, read it cover to cover, then again several times, the whole time not reading or thinking about God's Word, and waiting, waiting, waiting for the next addition to come out.
I was addicted.
I only had victory over it when I acknowledged that it was taking precedence over the things of God.

Addiction often causes disease, but it is not disease itself.

Ultimately it is the 'disease' of idolatry - putting something in control of your life other than God.

 

Sometimes its a habit, not addiction, we get use to doing something, like say drinking a 6 pack of Mountain Dews or even more everyday, or even cokes, or even much milk, or eating a certain kind of candy & its hard to stop. I call that a habit, no addiction.

 

What would be great is:  If good habits were easy to make & very hard to break.

                                        If bad habits were very hard to start & very easy to break.

 

Yet it seems for most of us its just the opposite.

 

The good habit of attending church is an easy one to break, you miss a few times for what ever reason, them it becomes easy to stop going. I've done that many years ago, & seen others do it.

 

I never will forget one rainy Sunday morning several years back. I had got up about 4:00 PM, went to take care of my two chicken houses, after which I went to look at my cattle, had a couple of mothers that were close to calving.

 

I got back to the house about 8:30 took a quick shower, them set at the table eating the sausage & biscuit my wife had fixed for me, them went & got dressed. After getting dressed the wife was still getting ready. I looked over at my couch & it looked so inviting, so I laid down on it.

 

I was kind of dozing, & thinking, wow, sure would feel so good to take a nap missing church, it would not hurt, besides its rainy, & rainy weather is just great to nap, especially after all the work I just did, hey, I've got a great excuse. I was about to doze completely off, them it hit me, I jumped up from there, got a cup of coffee & started drinking it.

 

In a little bit the wife & I left for church & I told her about laying on the couch, & that I thought the old devil sure was tempting me to take a nap, & miss church on this rainy morning. Glad I didn't, I still remember, coming home I said, I'm sure glad I did not sleep though church this morning, it was a great service, besides that person I had invited attended this morning. If I had not been there my witness would have been lost, destroyed even.

 

I'm mentioned this to a few that miss church once in a while, they actually seem to think that's a silly thought. Yet I don't believe it is unless there's actually a very good excuse, & being lazy being tempted to sleep on a rainy morning would not have been a very good excuse at all for me, for my Lord would have known all about it.

[JerryNumbers]

You can overcome any addiction by purely for spiritual means.
There is a physical side of course but it is the result, not the cause of the addiction.
I didn't respond to the AA thing because I didn't think you asked anything about it - to me you stated an opinion.
I have no problem with addiction programs, have attended some workshops, have a friend who runs one.
Personally I think AA has problems, mostly due to the fact that they not biblical in their approach but are instead a bit 'churchy'. They do some good though.
I see way too much condemnation of addicts instead of Biblical support, but also way too much unbiblical 'support' that bandaids the problem rather than addressing it.

I got no support nor judgement - but I also sought no support from people.

And they say that smoking is one of the hardest to break. I smoked when I was younger.
I tried to quit many times. For my girlfriend, for the health, for the cost. The withdrawals are real.
The thing that gave me victory was realising that it dishonoured the Lord.
The withdrawals became unimportant - still felt them, but that didn't matter now.

Addiction - all addiction - is primarily a spiritual issue. There are physical effects both immediate and long term, and addiction often causes disease, but addiction itself is spiritual and emotional.

Genuine spiritual support is often neglected, but of the greatest help.

 

 

I had a friend who was an alcoholic, & he had a very bad habit of gambling. He finally overcame alcohol, but never gambling.

 

He went to AA, I forget, but he fell off the wagon 3 or maybe 4 times. Which he did finally make it. He seemed to have a hard time referring to God, he seemed to always want to say a higher being.

We talked many times about God, Jesus, the Bible through about 5 to 7 years, & he still most of the time would refer to a higher being.

 

That has made me somewhat against the AA. I rightly think if a persons trust, faith, in God through Christ they can overcome whatever it may be.

 

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

If we cannot them this verse is not true & them the Bible is only good for good moral values.

 

 

[LindaR]

In AA and all other 12-Step "Recovery" programs, Jesus is only another "higher power".  I was in Al-Anon for 5 years (1981-1986) and the group frowned on the usage of naming Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

 

 

Step Two: “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”1

 

Step Three: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”1 (Emphasis in original.)

 

1. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1952, 1953, 1981.

 

From page 120 of 12 Steps To Destruction: Codependency Recovery Heresies by Martin and Deidre Bobgan:

 

The extreme naivete of Christians comes through when they confidently assert that their higher Power is Jesus Christ. Since when did Jesus align Himself with false gods?  Since when has He been willing to join the Pantheon or the array of Hindu deities? Jesus is not an option of one among many. He is the Only Son, the Only Savior, and the Only Way. All Twelve Step programs violate the declarations of the Reformation: Only Scripture; Only Christ; Only Grace; Only Faith; and Glory to God Only. Instead they offer another power, another gospel, another savior, another source, another fellowship, another tradition, another evangelism, and another god. Jesus’ majesty and His very person are violated by joining Him with the gods of the wide gate and the broad way. Jesus emphatically stated that His gate is strait and His way is narrow. His is the only way to life, while all other ways lead to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

 

 

[No Nicolaitans]

If I get dehydrated bad things start to happen.  So I am constantly refilling my mason 20 ounce mason jars many times a day between trips to the restroom.  As a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer once taught me, "Clear PXX Is For Mee!"  Some folks might not have clear urine with vitamins and such but that rule has worked for me and my family and friends for years.

 

The tap water around here tastes awful, as does much of the bottled stuff, but just like in the days aboard ships, I can drink gallons and gallons of distilled water all day long!  Hmmmm Hmmm Good!  

 

Swath, are you ex-Coast Guard?

[Standing Firm In Christ]

http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-heresy.html

[candlelight]

In AA and all other 12-Step "Recovery" programs, Jesus is only another "higher power".  I was in Al-Anon for 5 years (1981-1986) and the group frowned on the usage of naming Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

That can be the downfall of a 12 Step Program, Linda.  I explained above, why "Higher Power" is used.  In my area, b/c AA was started here, many meetings are "believer's meetings."  I have never been told not to use the name of the only "Higher Power" that matters, my Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind.  If someone did that? I would gently tell them, what I know and get the chance to witness to them.  In fact, my friend Eddy, is a born again believer.  He was saved in the rooms of AA after another born again believer led him to Christ, in those same rooms.  Eddy is also a Baptist with Roman Catholic beginnings.   He and many other AA's use their time, when they give their "Lead" - testimony, in a sense, to point to the cross, in the church, and talk about the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are smattering of believers in 12 Step Programs.  The Lord has used me greatly to share the gospel with the unsaved, as well.  It is also nice to know that there are backup believers to help.  "Stength in Numbers."  Many Roman Catholics sit in the rooms of AA.  I joke about it being the "communion wine" in the RCC.  Giving a 7 year old child alcohol at such a young age... on the 1st  day of the week, at Mass?  Even if it is only a sip of wine?  Not good.  Anyway, the religion of my childhood is my buggest burden.  Al-Anon gives me a great opportunity to give them the gospel.  If I am ever told that I can't do this, I will ask them who says so?  I answer to the Lord Jesus Christ, and Him alone.  It will only challenge me to work harder to get the word of God in their hearts and minds.  God's glory shines through in those rooms.  I have seen many people trust Jesus Christ as Personal Saviour in 12 Step Meetings.  It was my launching pad, and I plan on continuing to plant seeds to those who don't get the gospel any other way.  My  .   

[candlelight]

http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-heresy.html

All the more reason to battle the old devil and show him that Jesus Christ is in charge, will always be in charge, and has won the battle... set out years ago with Satan's rebellion to God in heaven.  I love a challenge, SFIC.  I didn't teach grade school for 18 years, in the inner city, to quit fighting now. 

[Standing Firm In Christ]

I'll stick with the facts. AA's "Higher Power" is not Jesus Christ. It is whatever object or idol a drunkard wants to place his or her faith in.

[candlelight]

I'll stick with the facts. AA's "Higher Power" is not Jesus Christ. It is whatever object or idol a drunkard wants to place his or her faith in.

I don't disagree with you, brother.  The 12 Step Program is merely a seed planting ministry for me.  I have been retired for years.  All women in my church, work outside the home, except for one.  We get together occassionally.  Al-Anon is a good place to socialize  while spreading the gospel.  My husband won't allow me to go into female prisons, nor stand on the street and preach.  My choice is to go into the rooms, socialize, plant seeds and hopefully lead souls to the lost.  It is a good ministry for me.  It doesn't replace my church attendance or ministry in my church, it merely enhances it.  I led two women from Al-Anon to my former IFB church.  It works.  If something works, then I will stick with it.  I have seen Jews and Muslims along with numerous Roman Catholics come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in these 12 Step rooms.  I don't force the Spirit, God does the work and gets the glory, not me.  I am just an instrument in their lives to share my testimony with them.

I believe you and Linda live in TX, brother?  The 12 Step Program is very different in the State of TX.  In OH, we have several different types of meetings.  The ones I like the most are the small group meetings, with just a few women, talking over life's burdens while sharing our love for oneanother.  For me, it is the perfect opportunity to share the Love of Christ that people so desperately need.  The "harvest is plentiful."  Souls are coming to the Lord Jesus Christ and are hungry for the word of God.  I will share my testimony and scritptures with the lost any chance I get.  I also live with an oldest brother, who is an active drunk.  It is refreshing to meet with people who have the same thing in common.  Al-Anon and AA are like a life jacket.  I can't talk with church folk about these things.  They don't share the burden I have for these people.  Al-Anon was where my life began to change, spirtually.  Am I supposed to forsake something that helped me grow close to the Lord?  I don't think so...   

[candlelight]

Oh, Linda.  I am sorry, I missed over this part of your post.

Linda said:

The extreme naivete of Christians comes through when they confidently assert that their higher Power is Jesus Christ. Since when did Jesus align Himself with false gods? Since when has He been willing to join the Pantheon or the array of Hindu deities? Jesus is not an option of one among many. He is the Only Son, the Only Savior, and the Only Way. All Twelve Step programs violate the declarations of the Reformation: Only Scripture; Only Christ; Only Grace; Only Faith; and Glory to God Only. Instead they offer another power, another gospel, another savior, another source, another fellowship, another tradition, another evangelism, and another god. Jesus’ majesty and His very person are violated by joining Him with the gods of the wide gate and the broad way. Jesus emphatically stated that His gate is strait and His way is narrow. His is the only way to life, while all other ways lead to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

 

Myself, along with other born again believers, make it perfectly clear that Jesus Christ is the only "Higher Power" there is.  He is the only one that matters.  I talk about salvation through His shed blood, on the cross of Calvary, and w/o the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.  Members are fully aware of where I stand on the whole "Higher Power" thing.  This has never been a problem for me, but I am pretty bold when I witness to the lost.  God made it a commandment for me to go and preach the gospel to others.  So far, so good.  If it does become unsuccesful, I won't continue.  As of yet, it has been very productive.  The 12 Step Program is the strongest, in the world, in Cleveland, OH.  Over 900 meetings, most all of them in churches?  I wouldn't waste my time if I didn't believe it worked.  Don't be surprised when you get to heaven, one day, and see these precious former drunks and people who suffer at the hands of drunks, in heaven.  Christ died for all of us, as you know.  BTW, I also have some wonderful Christian material from the 12 Step Program. 

[JerryNumbers]

In AA and all other 12-Step "Recovery" programs, Jesus is only another "higher power".  I was in Al-Anon for 5 years (1981-1986) and the group frowned on the usage of naming Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

 

Right, when many use the word higher power, they are not referring to God.

 

I believe once that Oprah said the higher power was this earth, nature, not God & Jesus. Yet many there be that still falls for it.

[DaveW]

Let's put it in perspective for a moment shall we?
It is not a Christian program.It does not claim to be a Christian program.
It is a worldly program that uses some Biblical principles, and is used by some Christians as a witnessing tool.

It is effective FOR SOME people to control their addiction.

It is not something that I personally would involve myself in - I think there are more biblically sound ways.

But no one is saying it is Christian, nor that it is perfect.

Some use it as a tool to reach the lost - not unlike we use our children's sporting club to be a testimony to those there.

I also don't like the way they present a "higher power" but it can be used.
Paul did - this unknown god whom ye worship......

[John81]

Let's put it in perspective for a moment shall we?
It is not a Christian program.It does not claim to be a Christian program.
It is a worldly program that uses some Biblical principles, and is used by some Christians as a witnessing tool.

It is effective FOR SOME people to control their addiction.

It is not something that I personally would involve myself in - I think there are more biblically sound ways.

But no one is saying it is Christian, nor that it is perfect.

Some use it as a tool to reach the lost - not unlike we use our children's sporting club to be a testimony to those there.

I also don't like the way they present a "higher power" but it can be used.
Paul did - this unknown god whom ye worship......

Good points.

 

These groups were designed to be beneficial to anyone. Some groups are more secular, some are more Christian, it just depends upon what group one is in. I know of some who have been through these in this area and the groups were overtly and openly Christian. At the same time, some other groups in the area leaned secular.

 

These groups can be a blessing to some, but they aren't for everyone.

[Standing Firm In Christ]

2 Corinthians 6:11-18 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Those Corinthians Paul was addressing in the above passage were walking amongst the idolaters.  They obviously were identified with them because they were amongst them. 

What did God say to them?  Come out from amongst them and be ye separate.  If they failed to do that, God would not receive them.  God does not want us in the enemies camp.  He did not say identify yourself with them and I will receive you.  No, He said Come out.

One who wants to be received of God should not be defending Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon.  Those groups are rife with idols and idolaters.  And God says: "Come out from amongst them and I will receive you."

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

How is one abstaining from "appearance of evil" when one is seen walking in and out of that den of idolaters?