Rated R: Addiction

Tonight we’re going to discuss a topic that I believe has a significant impact in all of our relationships. And that’s the topic of addiction.

Question: How many people here know someone whose life has been wrecked by an addiction? How many people here would say that someone you know and love has been badly hurt you because of an addiction?

There are many negative effects of addiction. Many of these you’ve probably felt at some point with your friends or loved ones; disconnection, neglect, broken trust, destructive behavior, avoidance, depression, anxiety, and isolation.

Now, you don’t have to raise your hand for this one, but how many here today would admit that they currently are dealing with an addiction of some kind? Most people are fearful to admit that they struggle with an addiction for many different reasons. Maybe you feel as though you are claiming to be weak. Or maybe you’re in denial and you’d say “It’s not an addiction, I could quit anytime I want, but I choose not to.” Or it could also be that you have a wrong perception of what it means to be addicted.

Addictions are most often associated with intense drug abuse or alcoholism. But the reality is that there are many different substances and/or behaviors that could be labeled as addictive and abusive. Some of which are excessive spending, shopping, work, sex/porn, gambling, social media, eating, codependency, and much more.

Definition: “the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.”

The word addiction is derived from an old latin word that means “enslaved by” or “bound to”.

“According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) the 11 signs and symptoms of substance use disorders like addiction include:”

• Using more of the substance than the person originally planned
• Being unable to stop using the substance
• Experiencing relationship problems based on substance use
• Spending large amounts of time seeking or using the substance, or recovering from use
• Reducing participation in favorite activities in favor of substance use
• Being unable to keep up with daily responsibilities due to substance use
• Craving the substance
• Continuing to use the substance despite negative health effects
• Regularly using the substance in dangerous situations (while driving, etc.)
• Developing tolerance for the substance
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped

“In general, experiencing 2-3 of these symptoms is considered a mild substance use disorder. Reporting 4-5 of them leads to diagnosis of a moderate disorder. If the person is experiencing 6 or more of the symptoms, it is considered to indicate a severe substance use disorder, or addiction.” - American Addiction Center

The harsh reality is that there are more than 23 million americans today that suffer from some form of addiction. That’s one in ten individuals. So if it’s not you, then it’s likely that it’s someone you are close to, work with, or maybe a personal family member.

Passage: Romans 6:12-14

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. 13 And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. 14 For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace.

Pray: (Pause 3-5 seconds)

Background:

The beginning of the book of Romans starts off with Paul presenting the truths of the Gospel and his allegiance to it. He goes on to build a case for the depravity of humanity and the need for God’s intervention. (Ch. 1-3). Then Paul presents the Good News, which is salvation to all, regardless of a person’s heritage, identity, and sin. We are saved by grace (unearned and unmerited favor) through faith (complete trust and dependence) in Christ alone and His finished work on the cross. (Ch. 3-5)

With this as the foundation, Paul then moves on to the freedom that we can have in Christ. (Ch 6). Freedom from sin, freedom from the law, and freedom to discover God’s unfailing love for all humanity.

Main Points: 3 Principles Found In The Text

1. Do Not Let Sin Control You (V12)
   1. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. (V12)

   2. “So I discover this law: When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me. 22 For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, 23 but I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body.” - Romans 7:21-23

      1. Addiction is anything that we don’t wanna do that we can’t stop doing.

      2. Addiction is something that has control over your life.

         3. Nobody sets out to be an addict. Nobody writes out in their life goals… get addicted to a substance or behavior. But little by little our mind and bodies shift and we become increasingly tolerant, which requires us to seek bigger and better highs.
         4. Release of dopamine and the memory sensors.
         5. Cycle of Addiction

      3. Initial use, abuse, tolerance, dependence, addiction, relapse.

      4. Illust: For example… your iphone. Walk through the steps of each cycle.
      5. Question: How many people here have actually opened up your Iphone for no reason
         6. Eph. 4:22

      6. Give Yourself Completely To God (V13)

         1. “And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness.” (V13)
         2. Why so often do we hold things back from God?
         3. We are unable to help ourselves. We are not God.

      7. It’s a problem of the heart. We’re all sinners.

      8. We need the power of God to overcome the sin in our lives.
      9. Whatever is on the throne you worship, and what you worship you serve/obey, and what you obey is ultimately what you are a slave to.
      10. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see,the new has come!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17
      11. Live In Freedom (V14)
          1. “For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace.” (V14)
          2. Freedom is found in none other than Jesus Christ. He has called us to live in freedom as his children. Our identity is in Him alone.
          3. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” - John 8:36
          4. “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” - Psalms 118:5
          5. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” - 2 Corinthians 3:17
          6. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1
          7. Someone here tonight has lived in bondage too long! Someone here tonight has been in prison to their addiction too long! God is offering so much more than you next fix!

Walking Points: Break the cycle!

1. Surrender Your Life To Christ (All of it)
   1. Make a decision tonight and say that I’m no longer going to be a slave to sin. A slave to fear. A slave to shame. A slave to guilt.
   2. I’m going to be a slave to the God who is perfect and has a wonderful plan for my life. I’m going to put my faith and trust in Him alone and enjoy the freedom that He so generously offers to His children!
2. Surround Yourself With Support
   1. Crews, Accountability Groups, join the Dream Team, etc.
   2. When you are isolated and alone, you are much more susceptible to the enemy's attacks and temptation.
3. Seek Out Help
   1. Tell someone that you’re struggling with an addiction. That could be a close friend, someone in your Crew or accountability group, or a mentor.
   2. If you feel like you need help and want to pursue professional counseling, there’s NO shame in that. We encourage everyone to seek professional counseling and therapy.
   3. Northstar Transitions, AA, NA, SA, etc.

Song: No Longer Slave

Let’s pray.