WAR AGAINST ADDICTION DAY 4

11TH/JULY/2018

A B.U.D. FAMILY SPECIAL SELF DELIVERANCE PROGRAMME

TAGGED: WAR AGAINST ADDICTIONS (WAA2018)

THEME DAY FOUR: DESIRE TO BE FREE!

Its been four days of our war against addictions. How has it been over there?

I trust God that you’ve been having a great time in His Presence fighting your worst enemy.

Today, we are going to examine a battle plan against this monster that taunts you.

I have brought to you a testimony of an American called Berry Williams. Check this link for the complete story: http://www.firststone.org/articles/post/a-battle-plan-against-porn-that-works

We will be praying from that testimony today.

HEAR HIM:

I am a man who has been delivered by God from a hardcore addiction to pornography and habitual sexual sin…Let God deliver you from oppression.

Psalms 144:1,2

Bless the Lord, Who is my rock.

He gives me the strength for war and skill for battle.

He is my loving ally and my fortress,

my tower of safety, my deliverer.

He stands before me as a shield, and I take refuge in Him. … {NLT}

Psalms 141:4

Don’t let me lust for evil things;

don’t let me participate in acts of wickedness.

Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do evil. {NLT}

I address anyone who feels oppressed by any type of habitual or recurring sin. Though this was written to deal specifically with the sin of pornography or sexual addiction, this plan will also work for ANY SIN PATTERN. You may be one who identifies with David in the Psalms above. If so, I am one who knows where you are.

As the kids say these days, “… been there, … done that!” I was racked in the bondage of sexual sin for over 20 years, being addicted to pornography and involved in an underground lifestyle that flushes into the dark subculture where porn can be found. One could easily say that I was a “hardcore” addict, and it was pulling me under.

There’s no need to go into great detail about my habit patterns back then; but you should know that my choices were about to threaten my marriage, my family, and even my career.

For years I had been able to hide my addictive behaviors/habits. I was introduced to porn when I was about 12 at a Boy Scout camp. Quickly thereafter, I began to seek out porn in any form, mostly soft…stuff then. But I chose to let the addiction lead me deeper and deeper into the porn culture: books, movies, topless shows, and later videos (which today would likely be the internet).

Softcore became hardcore; and as with any addiction, it took harder stuff to satisfy me. And as my Mr. Hyde choices brought me closer and closer to my acceptable Dr. Jeckyl lifestyle, I finally had to confess my addiction.

This led me to “come out of the gutter” to my wife and seek help, which I first got from a good secular psychiatrist. He did help me to understand that I was using sexual obsessive behavior to replace the physical affection that I had never experienced from my mother, who loved me but had trouble expressing that love openly and physically.

It was those lost hugs I tried to replace with porn; and even though I was able to achieve a surface control of my sexual acting out behaviors, there was a spiritual “black hole” inside of me. I felt spiritually impotent, like something was missing deep in my soul.

I began to seek after New Age type religions, but found nothing to fill me up or give me strength. Finally, about 15 years ago, some new friends witnessed their faith in Jesus Christ, and through a wonderful work of the Holy Spirit…my agnosticism was breached by the power of Christ. I surrendered to the Lord on April 13, 1983 and have become what I like to call a “posterboy” for 2 Corinthians 5:17.

2 Corinthians 5:17 …those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! {NLT}

My surrender to Christ caused me to recognize just how weak I really was, even having been helped by a very competent psychiatrist.

At that time, Satan (who hates it when a baby Christian is born from above) really came after me, and I discovered that, like the stealthy cat he is described to be (1 Peter 5:8), he will attack the young, impressionable Christian at his weakest point.

1 Peter 5:8 Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. {NLT}

That point with me was my desire for porn, and all the old poisons in my soul bubbled to the top. Oh, how I wanted to seek out those old haunts, those magazines, and those peep shows. But by then, (Praise God!) I was involved in growth and discipleship at Central Church in Memphis, TN.

The result of this growth, taking these last 10+ years, has been victory and the fulfillment of God’s promise in 2 Timothy 1:7. In His grace and mercy, God has seen fit to deliver me from the sexual addictions which so enslaved me for so many years.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline. {NLT)

I am writing to testify that YOU TOO can have victory in Christ over any perversion, any sexual oppression, or any habit pattern. It really depends on how much you believe in Christ’s power in your life and how much you desire to surrender to Him, … and … how much you’re willing to follow Him. I’ll be glad to give you an effective BATTLE PLAN here; but ONLY YOU can put it into action. And I should warn you to be patient and endure what you’re going to go through. Remember, the admonition and encouragement from James 1:3-4.

James 1:3-4 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. {NLT}

What I’ve discovered from my history and the reports of many who’ve struggled with sexual oppression is a phenomenon that I call “the repentance roller-coaster.” This is where a Christian FEELS (and it is a lie from Satan!) that he has repented, but soon falls back into the same pattern of sin, feeling the guilt all over again, and having to go back and confess again. This pattern often recurs OVER and OVER again, like a roller-coaster riding up and down. Maybe you’re on that roller-coaster right now.

The problem here, I believe, is incomplete surrender. It would be like giving over most of the keys to a rental house when the landlord calls for them, but retaining one or two keys to secret, dark closets that are hidden from view. But who do we think we’re trying to kid, anyway?! Do we really think we can hide any of our keys from the Master Landlord, … GOD?

Psalm 139:1-3  O LORD, You have examined my heart and know every thing about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought… every moment You know where I am. {NLT}

One of the men whom I have mentored via internet email for about a year speaks strongly that we so often think we can work this problem out on our own.

In his words, “This addiction is a stronghold in the life of an addict. It has become far too strong to resist. It mocks (us) by first giving pleasure and then torments (us) with tremendous guilt. It threatens marriages, careers, family relations, etc. Unless the Lord performs a miracle, the only way to have victory in the battle is to break this stronghold down in the same way it was built: STONE BY STONE! (Your) battle plan is a structured path to breakdown this stronghold in your life.”

So, as my brother indicates, complete surrender is necessary, or you might as well get ready for another roller-coaster ride!

Lets pause his story here.

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Quickly say this prayer: Oh Lord, I can see myself in Bill’s shoes. And, yes, the journey has been a rollercoaster ride. God, I am so sorry for keeping this addiction (Mention it) so dear to my heart and then blaming You for being impotent to deliver. Lord help me. Lord Jesus, save me! Lord Jesus give me real hatred for this addiction in the Name of Jesus!

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Psalm 119: 9, 11 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules. //10// …I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. {NLT}

Scripture memory is where it’s at, soldier! And if you’re not willing to discipline yourself by study, meditation, and memorization of God’s word, you will not be in shape to meet the enemy on his turf (i.e., the world).

Pause…

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Lord, give me love for Your Word. I want to eat it, drink it, lie in it, love it, preach it, memorize it so I can have victory over sins and self in the Name of Jesus.

______

I have a mentor, a battle-hardened warrior in Christ, who has been my drill instructor and field sargeant. In my boot camp experience, he held my feet to the fire, helping me to memorize over 75 key verses early in my Christian discipline that really got me in shape for battle…

It is possible to become a battle prepared soldier for Christ on your own; but it is highly unlikely! So, you need to let your battle leaders (i.e., the leaders in your church) assign or help you find a war-proven soldier of fortune who can show you the ropes, prepare you for battle, help you develop your skills, and lead you into battle when you’re ready.

For me, this was an Elder in our church who was willing to become my mentor in Christ. He was someone I knew I could follow, because I knew he was following Christ, and I’ve been meeting with this man regularly now for over 10 years.

1 Cor. 11:1 And you should follow my (Paul’s) example just as I follow Christ’s. {NLT}

Your drill instructor will be there to grow you into the soldier you need to become to get out there on the battle field of this world. He will be there to pick you up when you fall … to redirect you when you get off track … and to encourage you when you feel down (and believe me, you will!). I cannot say strongly enough that this is a process that all too often is omitted by those who battle against sexual oppression; and it may be the primary reason why so many fail to develop into victorious warriors. So, take my word on this one! Get a mentor and follow Christ TOGETHER.

Get into passages like 1 Cor. 6:12 – 20 … 2 Cor. 12: 7 – 10 … Gal. 5: 16 – 26 … Eph. 4: 17 – 24 … Col. 3: 1 – 17 … and others. Study, meditate, and apply God’s word. Get your mentor to help you in this discipline and study.

You see, the high ground for any spiritual battle is PRAYER. Even before you get all the appropriate equipment, … and before you get yourself in shape for battle, … and, with the help of your drill instructor, before you have practiced your skills, … and certainly before you have studied God’s marching orders.

Before you do all these things, you MUST GO to the place where you are in the best position to protect yourself and ultimately to win; and that place is in PRAYER! Now granted, we must go into that staging area with sword (i.e., God’s word) drawn and ready (i.e., deep in our hearts) when the battle arrives.

Probably the best illustration of this battle posture on high ground was when Christ faced His adversary (and the same one you and I are facing) in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13]

I would exhort you to find this one on your own and really digest and meditate hard on this passage. Notice how Christ, the living God, prepared Himself for battle (by the discipline of prayer/fasting). He, of course, had the full armor of God on because He IS the full armor of God. So, He was fully prepared when Satan came stalking with his arrows and darts of temptation and deceit. And what was our Lord’s primary weapon when Satan began slinging arrows of temptation?

You’ve got it! It was the sword of the Spirit (i.e., His word). Three times the enemy shot his arrows, and three times came the mighty admonition, “It is written…” followed by pronouncements from the Word of God. And finally, Satan sulked off the battlefield in defeat.

In your battles, you have the same Word of God available to you and you can go to the same high ground that our Lord used to be ready for the battle. If it’s good enough for Jesus, don’t you think it’s good enough for us.

It is true that our weakness can become a powerful showcase for God’s strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time He said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” {NLT}

Okay; where do we go from here? …

Well, here’s the deal! As one who’s been where you are, and a brother who has experienced the deliverance you likely seek, I am going to challenge you to exercise your belief in the power of the Holy Spirit to deliver you from Satan’s oppression and your own sin choices (because that’s what they are).

The question really is … do you really believe that Christ has delivered you from the grip of sin? If you have sincere doubts, one must question your relationship with Christ, … either your salvation or the depths of your walk in the Spirit.

1 John 1: 6-7 So, we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living in the truth. But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin. {NLT}

So, with these thoughts in mind, I challenge you to get out a clean sheet of paper and begin to develop your own – Spirit led – battle plan. This will requrie that you follow many of the elements of the plan God gave to me in writing what you have read herein. However, you should go into powerful deliberation with God, asking Him for the wisdom that He promises you.

James 1: 5-7 If you need wisdom — if you want to know what God wants you to do — ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. {NLT}

God’s word lays it out pretty clearly, doesn’t it? If we seek after HIS battle plan, expecting that He WILL give it to us, … He will! Again, 2nd Timothy has it summarized with authority!

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.

There we have it! If you doubt God will help you find your own battle plan, as it says in James 1, there is serious doubt as to the effectiveness of any plan you would develop. However, if you truly believe that God will bring you deliverance and you KNOW that the Holy Spirit will give you the plan to do it, God WILL give you a battle plan that cannot fail. Get this promise!

Romans 8:31 … If God is for us, who can ever be against us. {NLT}

But let me repeat for emphasis … I EXHORT YOU to find a Godly mentor who can help you in this quest. As I have said, this “mentor” in Christ can be your drill instructor in boot camp and later your field advisor in battle. He will also become your friend out there on the battlefield. And when you need interpretations of God’s marching orders, he’ll be there to give you sound advice.

And occasionally, you’re going to need directions through the minefields that Satan will lay along the way; and your mentor will be there to lead you, step-by-step, having you follow in his footsteps, showing you the safe way to go. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to walking through minefields, I’d rather follow someone who knows the way rather than try to go through on my own.

Remember, if you are a believer, satan is after your testimony. If you haven’t surrendered to Christ, he’s after your soul.

Study these verbs: Ps. 119:9, 11;  1 Cor. 10: 13; Phil. 4:13;  2 Tim. 1:7.

Confess these verses to yourself:

But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord. (Psalm 141:8)

I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman. (Job 31:1)

My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare. (Psalm 25:15)

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. (Psalm 119:37)

Halleluyah for what the Lord did in Bill Berry’s life. He is obviously going to do something greater.

Here are some steps to break free from your addiction:

1.  Fast.  You must start fasting. This will give you the initial strength you need to do the other steps. (Mark 9:29) “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

2.  If you have magazines or photos BURN THEM!  Videos DESTROY THEM!  Don’t put them in the trash make sure they are destroyed so that others cannot find them.

3.  Clean out your computer.  Delete all files, empty the recycle bin.  Cancel all memberships to websites.

4.  Install a software on your computer which will block future possible encounters like covenanteyes.com

5.  Get someone that you trust 100% to keep this confidential to keep you accountable.  You need to be honest with someone about this.

6.  All your friends on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram that have suggestive photos or are connected with those who have suggestive photos UNFRIEND THEM!  Yes, this could be the slippery slope that satan uses to lead you back to the addiction.  They won’t understand why you unfriended them but your freedom is more important than their offense at this point.

8. Pray, pray and pray some more.

9. When you feel weak like you are about to fall into this again repent IMMEDIATELY and put on the Armor of God. This will protect you.

10. Marry your Bible! We have a lot of verses in this bulletin. Read hard and study well. We overcome the devil by the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of our Testimony.

Let’s Pray.

Thank God for the testimony of Bill Berry.

Worship Him for you are sure He will do a better thing in your life this season.

Confess your sins to Him. He is surely willing to hear you and forgive you

Father, I have been living a fantasy. I hardly feel the prick of conscience anymore. I have become numb and dumbed down in my humanity.

I repent of this addiction to pornography.(Mention your addiction). It alienates me from those I love and it alienates me from You, my God. It’s a lie, a trick of the devil. I receive the power of your blood that not only forgives me but cleanses me.

My Father, please do forgive me. Please cleanse me. Drive out my sin. And help me to walk in the light, to experience the blessing of my sexuality under the safeguard of your heavenly standard..

Give me encouragement and accountability. Set me free from my chains. I receive Your Holy Spirit’s power to control my base impulses and to become the human being you have made me to be, ruling over myself and this world with you.

Father God, I come to you in the name of Jesus and I repent of this sin and I ask that the blood of Jesus would cleanse my mind and my heart from the images that have been imprinted there.

I pray that you would renew my mind with images of you on the cross dying for my sins.

Renew my mind with your Word according to Romans 12:1-2.

Lead me to the scriptures that would continue my mind renewal process.

Free me from this bondage Holy Spirit forgive me for grieving you.

You’ve said that no temptation has laid hold of us that is not common to man and that you would not allow us to be tempted beyond a point where we cannot escape.  I pray that you would show me the way out.

Show me the traps and roads that the enemy uses that lead me to this temptation so that I may choose another way.  I close to close those doors, traps and roads in the Name of Jesus!

Show me all the things, people & places that I need to cut off to continue in my freedom.

I bind the hand of the enemy.

I rebuke the demon of seduction, pornography, incubus, succubus and any other spirits that have attached themselves to me.

Free me from the guilt and shame.

Continually keep the helmet of salvation on my head to keep my mind free from evil, lustful thoughts.

Bring to my mind all the things that I may have in my environment that would encourage these demons so that I can remove them.

Lord, I accept that I am a new creation in Christ Jesus that old things have passed away and all things have been made new.  Free me from a spirit of rejection and from pride.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made and valuable beyond measure in your eyes. Lord, I accept that I have the mind of Christ and therefore my thoughts will be on the things that Christ would have me think on.

God lead me to the right support group where I can have the accountability that you know I will need during this process.

Holy Spirit guide my steps, guard my heart, make my will Your will and when I don’t know what else to pray please make intercession for me so that I will be free, in Jesus Name, Amen

Pray on as the Spirit leads.

Believe and it shall be well.

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