Page 101 - Overcoming Addiction

[Source: Newsweek, article ‘What Addicts Need’]

To declare that there is more hope in mind altering drugs (neuroscience)
than there is in Christ, is symptomatic of the pride and spiritual blindness that has
descended upon the world in this late hour. Isaiah prophesied of these days:

Isaiah 60:2
For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples...

To suggest that addiction can be overcome by “willpower in a pill” is to not
understand mankind’s slavery to sin. We must have armor and weapons that are
divinely powerful, and this is precisely what Christ has given to His disciples. The
most detailed and descriptive teaching we find in the Bible concerning the
Christian’s armor and weapons is found in the book of Ephesians. As we look at
this passage again, let us identify each item and then go on to describe it clearly,
its function and value in overcoming addiction.

Ephesians 6:13-18
Therefore, take up the full armor of God... Stand firm therefore, having
girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel
of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will
be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the
helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit...

We can identify the following from this passage:

· The belt of truth
· The breastplate of righteousness
· The shoes of peace
· The shield of faith
· The helmet of salvation
· The sword of the Spirit
· Prayer

Each item here is an essential element in the outfitting of those who would
enter into spiritual battle.

The Belt of Truth

The apostle Paul speaks of “having girded your loins with truth.” It is not a
mere loin cloth that Paul has in mind here, but the leather belt of a soldier that
hung from his waste and covered his loins. David knew much about warfare, and
he also makes reference to the role of truth.