Page 76 - Overcoming Addiction

As we look at the Israelites, we can discern how they fell under the judgment
spoken of in these verses from the apostle Paul. The Israelites did not embrace a
love of the truth. This was evident in their despising the manna that Yahweh sent
them. This manna, as we have seen, is a symbol of Christ, Who is Truth. Because
they did not love the truth God allowed them to believe that which was a lie. When
Yahweh was testifying that they were well able to take possession of the land, the
enemy, and their sinful flesh, were presenting another message. This false
message said that they would be killed by their enemies, and their wives and
children would be preyed upon. Because they did not love truth, they were given
over to a lie. That these same people took pleasure in wickedness was evident
when they made the golden calf in the wilderness and began to commit indecent
acts as they reveled in its presence.
If we take pleasure in wickedness, we will not be anxious to embrace the
inheritance that Yahweh has set before us. Many men and women prefer the
pleasures of sin rather than a promise of a life of righteousness and peace. It is
true that all men and women are plagued by these unrighteous desires to some
degree, but not all people give themselves over to them. Some are ashamed at
these unworthy thoughts, and they struggle to cast them down.
The Israelites, other than Joshua and Caleb, did not cast down these
unrighteous thoughts. They embraced lies and then spoke them forth. There is
tremendous power in our speech, much more so than most men and women
realize. Our entire course in life is set by the words that proceed forth from our
mouths. This is why when we come to Christ we not only must believe the truth
concerning salvation in His blood, but we must confess it. Things become a part of
us as they are spoken.

Romans 10:8-11
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your
heart"-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you
confess with your mouth Yahshua as Lord, and believe in your heart that
God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man
believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses,
resulting in salvation.

Thoughts become concrete and substantial as they are voiced. This is why
Yahweh judged Israel for speaking words of fear and unbelief. To them the lie had
become more concrete than His promises to them. They placed more weight on
the false report of their senses, and the fear in their heart than upon that which
Yahweh swore to them.
Those who would walk in victory over their addictions must guard their
confession. It is absolutely necessary to keep words of unbelief in check and to not
speak them forth. The Bible declares the following about the power of the spoken
word.

Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue...