Addictive Behavior and Repentance

abcaines

abcaines

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Addictive behavior is behavior that is repeated over and over whether the person wants to do it or not. Repentance is a change of heart and mind such that one turns away from sinful practices. However, addictive behaviors and repentance are often times a real struggle for the one who wants to follow Christ. What does genuine repentance look like in such situations?
 
It looks like this:

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 18:13.​
 
abcaines said:
Addictive behavior is behavior that is repeated over and over whether the person wants to do it or not. Repentance is a change of heart and mind such that one turns away from sinful practices. However, addictive behaviors and repentance are often times a real struggle for the one who wants to follow Christ. What does genuine repentance look like in such situations?
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I would say that genuine repentance means staying as far away as possible from the activity you were once entangled with.

I have many musician friends who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and are now sober. They still play in bars but seem to not be tempted in the least regressing back to their former life. Perhaps because it was a great struggle for them to break free in the first place? I'm not sure this is the best example to be modeled but I would say that these musician friends of mine are much more "FREE" from their former life than one who is mortified at the thought of stepping foot into a bar!

There are other sins that you cannot just separate yourself from such as ANGER and LUST! These are more a part of your character, of who you are. You can stay away from online porn and other things that feed your lust but you will always struggle whenever a pretty girl walks by or whatever! Its become much easier as I have become older. I have a daughter in her 20s and I now think of every young lady under 40 as potentially being my "Daughter" and the thought of objectifying her tends to creep me out and now I find myself wanting to be the protector! It also helps being happily married and satisfied with the one God has given me!

Most of it is a daily struggle and the REAL CHANGE does not occur instantly but over the course of time where God is transforming and fashioning us into his likeness.
 
FSSL said:
The "If-your-right-eye-offends-you-pluck-it-out" principle.
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Does not say much for Christian liberty does it? If you are still scared to death of falling, are you truly "Free?" As I would say, my musician friends who are "Recovering Alcoholics" (some who also profess Christ) and have no fear of being in bars to ply their craft seem more "Liberated" from the bondage of alcohol than those who cower in fear at the sight of an alcoholic beverage!

I would guess that "Fear" is a good motivator that may work for a while (Lk 11:24-26?) but love for Christ will lead to the ultimate victory over sin.
 
Baptist Renegade said:
Does not say much for Christian liberty does it? If you are still scared to death of falling, are you truly "Free?" As I would say, my musician friends who are "Recovering Alcoholics" (some who also profess Christ) and have no fear of being in bars to ply their craft seem more "Liberated" from the bondage of alcohol than those who cower in fear at the sight of an alcoholic beverage!

I would guess that "Fear" is a good motivator that may work for a while (Lk 11:24-26?) but love for Christ will lead to the ultimate victory over sin.
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The "cutting off," refers to communications. Those who have to make drastic manipulations of the surface; e.g., the locking of food cabinets for the gluttons, the vows of poverty for the covetous, the vows of celibacy for the adulterous,...do nothing for the heart.

Only God can change the heart.
 
Baptist Renegade said:
Does not say much for Christian liberty does it? If you are still scared to death of falling, are you truly "Free?" As I would say, my musician friends who are "Recovering Alcoholics" (some who also profess Christ) and have no fear of being in bars to ply their craft seem more "Liberated" from the bondage of alcohol than those who cower in fear at the sight of an alcoholic beverage!

I would guess that "Fear" is a good motivator that may work for a while (Lk 11:24-26?) but love for Christ will lead to the ultimate victory over sin.
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This BIBLE principle is not at odds with liberty. Liberty only comes by discipline. Avoiding sin (like the radical plucking out of ones eye) has an element of fear. True liberty is not void of fear. We have liberty in Christ and are called God-fearing people.
 
WCF Chap 15

5. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins particularly.a

a. Psa 19:13; Luke 19:8; 1 Tim 1:13, 15.

6. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof,a upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy;b so he that scandalizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended,c who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.d

a. Psa 32:5-6; 51:4-5, 7, 9, 14. • b. Prov 28:13; 1 John 1:9. • c. Psa 51 throughout; Josh 7:19; Luke 17:3-4; James 5:16. • d. 2 Cor 2:8.

Yer welcome 😉
 
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