Our sinful nature can lead to many crippling addictive behaviors. We should remember that it is not God tempting or testing us… God never tempts people. In fact, God provides a helper in the Holy Spirit to dwell inside us and help guide us to choose what is right and reject the destructive path of temptation and sin.
Ultimately we must make a choice to get the help we need and reject the wrong behavior, no matter how strong the temptation or addiction. God wants us to be set free from sin and addiction. He will help us if we turn toward Him wholeheartedly.
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong,[c] and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
God is not the one tempting us, but rather He is offering to help.
- Stop rationalizing the addiction or sin as acceptable. Christ came to set us free from bondage to sin.
- Reject the idea that you cannot overcome it.
- If you have not already done so, accept Jesus as lord and savior. It is more than words, but rather a matter of your heart.
- Turn from the addiction with repentant heart and ask God’s forgiveness and help to overcome it.
- Rely on the Holy Spirit and God’s word to guide you in overcoming addiction and living the way God intends.
- Seek the help of other Christian believers. God does not intend for us as His children to live in isolation from one another.
Jesus Christ came to set us free from the bondage of sin and addiction. We must not submit to our sin nature in defeat, but rather overcome it through God’s help in the Holy Spirit.
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