Page 86 - Overcoming Addiction

Matthew 20:30-34
And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Yahshua was passing
by, cried out,"Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David...” Moved with
compassion, Yahshua touched their eyes; and immediately they regained
their sight and followed Him.

Mark 8:22-25
And they came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Yahshua and
implored Him to touch him. Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought
him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands
on him, He asked him, "Do you see anything?" And he looked up and said,
"I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around." Then again He laid
His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began
to see everything clearly.

Mark 10:46-52
Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His
disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of
Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Yahshua the
Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, "Yahshua, Son of David, have mercy
on me...” And Yahshua stopped and said, "Call him here." So they called the
blind man, saying to him, "Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you."
Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Yahshua. And
answering him, Yahshua said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And
the blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!" And
Yahshua said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he
regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

We observe in each instance that Christ healed the blind in a different
fashion. He touched one man’s eyes. He spit on another. To the third He simply
spoke a word and he regained his sight. We should not assume that Christ will
lead us to victory over the sin in our flesh by the same method He used on
another. Even if a dozen men all have the same addiction, Yahweh will not
necessarily deal with each one the same. In order to know how God would have
you to overcome your addictive desire, you need to receive His counsel. Whatever
He tells you, do it. As you do, you will be assured of the victory.
As Christians, we have a tendency to gravitate towards formulas in our
dealings with people and their problems. The reason for this is that it is easier for
those who are not comfortable walking in the Spirit. When we follow formulas,
rules and policies we are never left guessing what to say to a person, or what
advice to give them. We already have things packaged and our response becomes
automatic. Those who walk according to the Spirit must maintain their
communication with God. This mandates that they have no sin in their life of
which they have not repented. Sinful men and women can run programs. But only
the righteous can walk by the Spirit.
Recently, a brother and I had a discussion concerning what our response
should be to people who come up to us in the city asking for money. This is a very