One Addiction, Three Lies

Illustrating a Truth of No More Idols!

Satan is a liar from the beginning. His lies are very convincing and once they have had a chance to impact our feeling system, they become powerful strongholds within us. Our task is to recognize and renounce those lies, then come into agreement with God's truths. Three lies often entrap those who suffer addiction.

1. The Lie of the Idol. The spirit behind it promises to give life to those it seeks to capture. The idols of the ancient world may have fallen before the advance of Christianity, but the demons didn't go away. They still offer a fix in exchange for worship. What are they saying to you? Is it, "Come to me and I will give you power to mend your life. Give yourself to me and I will satisfy you. I will ease the pain and give you gain"?

2. The Lie of the Wounded Heart. This keeps the one bound looking in the wrong direction, but the problem is not out there and can't be fixed out there. It is in a heart so broken it desperately needs a great love to heal it. The root cause of addiction and bondage is an inability to receive love (often characterized by self-rejection and self-bitterness). The wound in the heart wants to hide from God and everyone but bringing it to the light is the true way to mend.[i]

3. The Lie of the Distorted Image. Only the revelation of the Father's great love can mend such a broken heart, but a distorted image of the Father keeps the one bound running from God, rather than to Him. And a distorted image of self binds the pain of self-rejection in the heart. These two distorted images need to be cast down and the true images cherished.

This is war so be prepared to go to your battle station at a moment's notice. Call on His Name to set His rescue in motion. Then, renounce and resist the lies coming to you from the idol, the wounded places in your heart, and any distorted image of the Father or yourself. Don't tarry in the pigpen like the prodigal son did. Race to your Father at the first sign of weakness, going boldly to His throne of grace.[ii] Learn to let your place of disgrace reveal your Father's greater grace.

The same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:12-13 ESV

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Prayer

Father, thank You that You are loving me with perfect, unconditional love even now! You are not holding my weaknesses against me. What an amazing God You are! Your gentleness is making me great, giving me strength to face the hard realities of my life. Your strength is even now being made perfect in my weakness, helping me to carry wrong desires and ungodly thoughts to You. I am truly finding Your grace in my place of dis-grace! Keep coming to my rescue as I call on Your Name.

Endnotes

[i] John 3:19-20: And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

[ii] Hebrews 4:16: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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