Posted on 08/10/2012 3:48:44 PM PDT by evangmlw
Former addict has authored and published a book on how God delivered him from ten years of addiction. The book includes his personal testimony and explains ten progressive steps toward experiencing a clean and successful life.
Ye olde bookmark for later.
The 12 Steps of AA, which can be applied to other addictions as well, are considered to be the proven model for recovery. The rate of success is hard to measure but suffice it to say that there are millions who have benefited and are happy, funtionning sober adults today as a result of committing themselves to “working the program”.
When something ain’t broke, why try to fix it?
Dr. Bob and Bill W. were really smart guys!
Because AA is ill equipped to truly deal with the root of addiction which is a spiritual issue. I not only desire to see a man free from addiction, but living a productive, peaceful, and joyous life. Jesus Christ alone can truly set the addict free. “For whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” Under AA, a man will always be tied to his addiction, he will be an addict for life. Thank God, I’m free, I’m a new person, no longer an addict. Not only am I free, I have an eternal home in an eternal kingdom. AA cannot offer that! I spent a few years in AA before discoveing and coming to understand and experience this great truth. What good is a sober man, if he still dies and goes to hell? Was he really free, or chasing after a lie? A supernatural transformation performed by Christ goes far beyone the reformation offered by AA, as well as other secular programs. GARP offers life!
I agree with you. I think we all complicate sobriety by thinking it calls for rehab or we have to do it for our kids, etc., etc., but the fact is, it is submission to God and Jesus Christ that heals us.
Your post reminds me of the scripture (I’ll butcher it) that talks about the woman that sweeps out her house but does not believe in God, and the house fills up 7 fold with demons...we MUST replace the addiction with a relationship in Jesus Christ for us to be made whole
Pingers
Addiction and Grace - Gerald May
The very best faith based addiction book available. I recommend this and have seen and worked with many “step” models. We recover from all sin by Grace Alone, the AA model and all that emulate it are secular at best, at worst demonic. Remember the most perfect lie is the one closest to the truth.
Sola Gracia!
Amen
Well, whatever helps break the grip of addiction is a plus...
I have been sober for 22 years and AA is the reason.
And it is a spiritual program. You admit powerlessness, identify a power greater than yourself(for most of us: God)and then turn your will over to Him. Works for me!
AA is neither secular or demonic...You obviously know little to nothing about it. I’m glad you aren’t my addiction counselor!
The best treatment centers in the country, including Hazelden who authored the Minnesota model, are proponents of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous..and encourage those who go through treatment to attend meetings regularly ..which for most of us, is lifelong.
A book is just a book. An author who wants his five minutes of fame or money is not going to leave a lasting imprint on the world of recovery.
Why haven;t we heard about this amazing book/man before?
But as I said, if it helps you, it’s not a bad thing.
But don’t tout it as the latest miracle fix because there is no cure for addiction..only daily remission based on the ability to admit powerlessness, surrender to God, do a moral inventory, make amends, ask for forgiveness and help others.
Step 11: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscience contact with God, as we understand Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out”.
Hmmm...Non spiritual? Demonic? I don’t think so, alpha. lol
And for anyone contemplating weighing in on this thread as an authority on the evil of addiction and how to overcome it...
please don’t bother unless you are an addict yourself.
It takes one to know one.
12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous & Biblical References
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol ... that our lives had become unmanageable. “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18)
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. “... my grace is sufficient for you, for my POWER is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
..for it God Who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose.. (Phil. 2:13)
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of GOD as we understood Him. “... If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23**)
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:40)
5. Admitted to GOD, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)
6. Were entirely ready to have GOD remove all these defects of character. “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.” (Isaiah 1:19)
7. Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23, 24**)
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Give and it shall be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38**)
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith GOD has given you.” (Romans 12:3)
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with GOD as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will, and the power to carry that out. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...” (Col. 3:16)
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and practice these principles in all our affairs. “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2)
**The words of Christ
“I’m a new person..no longer an addict”.
Denial is not a river in Egypt, ev. You may be a new person but you are still an addict.
That said, I am happy for you that you have found such a powerful antidote.
And there are some God will save spiritually and not rescue from their addition.
What god? AA offers many gods. And there is bu One God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, AA cab in a sense be defined as a false religion which leads men astray. AA would tell you, if Bhudda keeps you sober, worship Bhudda, never mind the fact that Bhudda will lead you into an eternal hell.
And herein is found the lie of secular programs. "there is no cure for addiction." You have just defined God as not being Almighty. You have just proclaimed that Jesus Christ, the One who raised people from the dead, healed lepers, opened blinded eyes, deaf earsm and delivered men from demonic possession is incapable of healing a man of addiction. This is where you are wrong; and even guilty of calling God a liar. That's a heady position, and it's the position of AA as well. Well, nothing is too difficult for my God, and He is more than able to heal the addicted. This lie that says God cannot heal an addict is a lie from the "father of lies;" Satan, and therefore is a demonic lie. Man may not be able to cure an addict, but Almight God is more than able, and He does. He did for me, and has done so for multitudes of others.
Satan’s and demons are spiritual beings. They operate in the spiritual realm; and deception is their specialty.
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