Growth Does God help us to not sin?

[jeff77]

Does God help us to not sin? I know that by having the desire to do God's will can help us sin less but I once heard a pastor say that it is our responsibility to not sin. I don't know if he meant that we take the credit for not sinning or what I'm not sure? He said that we put on the full armor of God and things like that but he said for example if we are about to steal something, that God doesn't just reach his hand down and grab our hand to prevent us from committing the act.

The reason I am asking this question is to help me understand a ministry that I am going into. The addiction ministry. Contrary to what most people think or believe, I believe that addiction is not a disease, it's a choice and of course a sin. There are a lot of Christians that believe that addiction is both a disease and a sin. There is actually not very good scientific evidence that addiction is a disease and now there are even a few people/scientist in the secular world that believe addiction is a choice and not a disease. I am having a discussion with someone on a different website who is a Christian and a drug addict that says he believes addiction is a disease and that his choice to not use is limited. He quoted Romans: 14-25 saying that it supports his view.

I hope my question is not to confusing. I would appreciate any feedback to whichever view is held so that I can better understand how to minister in this area.

 

[Brother Mike]

I like girls. I even like to look at their boobs. Now is that a disease? They have started sex addiction clinics to combat this new found disease. It's not my fault, girls have boobs, right?

Flesh, is flesh, is flesh, is flesh. Boob watching and drug addictions. Any place where the flesh rules us is not good, even in our eating habits, TV watching, video game playing and the types of music and shows we watch. All things we allow in for flesh has the potential to get a stronger hold on us and weaken our spirit man.

Now read these scriptures and take them to heart when you go out to help others. You asked if God helps us to get free and not sin. What is our part, what is God's part?

Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

There is no help to man, but through the Word of God. Healing, addiction, needs met, everything. Man does not live on bread alone that will feed the body, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Mental training, and positive reinforcement is the Worlds way of using God's principles without the power of the Word spoken by God. God's Word is alive and will prosper the thing God sent it to, and never returns void.

This is why we have the 12 step programs. It's mans way of replacing inside man something different than the junk in there. Man did not come up with this idea of positive reinforcement or replacing thoughts with something else. God came up with it, and man copied it without the power connected to the Words ability.

Read these scriptures:

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
(2Co 10:4-5)

The weapons we have are not physical, carnal, or mental assessment. Our help is mighty THROUGH God. Anything that does not line up with the Word of God is to be cast down as a thought and bring it into control, to the obedience of Christ Jesus. Without the Word, there is no ability through God to do this. Man must trust in flesh and ones own will power to break out of bondage. One may say I have not had a drink in 10 years, but it's not free if it's a fight of the flesh every day to not take that drink. That is not freedom, but torment.


Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Only by meditating in the Word can one make themselves prosperous. What is most in your heart, is what you will speak the most. (Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks) What we say matters. It was Joshua that made his own way prosperous by putting the Word first place in their life.

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
(Pro 23:7)

A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
(Pro 18:20-21)

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
(Mar 11:23)

Saying my name is Joel and I am a recovering alcoholic will make Joel just that. Someone that will never recover. I know, I use to be one, but I am free and no longer recovering. I can drink a couple beers and desire to have no more, and only do that once a year or so for the last 14 years. I have no fear of going off the bandwagon because alcohol has no power over me. It use to be over a case of beer a day before I got saved, and it's all I thought about, day and night. I don't tell this to anyone who has issues with drugs or Alcohol because when you think your strong, you will fall. My point is, being free is being in control.

Jesus said the truth shall make you free.


God's part:

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
(Heb 4:15-16)

When we are about to blow it, have those strong temptations, we have an advocate who is always there to help. If we are not taught to stop and get on our knee's and demand help, then we are in trouble. God sent his Word to help us, as there is great power in the Word to change hearts and thinking. The Word can heal our bodies of years of abuse, and make us free. If we don't speak the Word and cast down those thoughts, we are in trouble. We are told we shall be filled by the fruit of our lips. You can't fight thoughts with thoughts.

Our Part:
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
(1Co 9:27)

Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(Rom 8:4)

God has provided all the tools and power we need. We do our part, God is faithful and will always do his part.

 

[Gary]

Does God help us to not sin? I know that by having the desire to do God's will can help us sin less but I once heard a pastor say that it is our responsibility to not sin. I don't know if he meant that we take the credit for not sinning or what I'm not sure? He said that we put on the full armor of God and things like that but he said for example if we are about to steal something, that God doesn't just reach his hand down and grab our hand to prevent us from committing the act.

God may not reach down His hand to prevent us from committing an act of sin but He does do this:

1 Corinthians 10
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.


So the answer to your question would be yes, God does help us not to sin. But in order recognize that help we must be in tune with the Spirit of God.

.

 

[jeff77]

I like girls. I even like to look at their boobs. Now is that a disease? They have started sex addiction clinics to combat this new found disease. It's not my fault, girls have boobs, right?

Flesh, is flesh, is flesh, is flesh. Boob watching and drug addictions. Any place where the flesh rules us is not good, even in our eating habits, TV watching, video game playing and the types of music and shows we watch. All things we allow in for flesh has the potential to get a stronger hold on us and weaken our spirit man.

Now read these scriptures and take them to heart when you go out to help others. You asked if God helps us to get free and not sin. What is our part, what is God's part?

Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

There is no help to man, but through the Word of God. Healing, addiction, needs met, everything. Man does not live on bread alone that will feed the body, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Mental training, and positive reinforcement is the Worlds way of using God's principles without the power of the Word spoken by God. God's Word is alive and will prosper the thing God sent it to, and never returns void.

This is why we have the 12 step programs. It's mans way of replacing inside man something different than the junk in there. Man did not come up with this idea of positive reinforcement or replacing thoughts with something else. God came up with it, and man copied it without the power connected to the Words ability.

Read these scriptures:

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
(2Co 10:4-5)

The weapons we have are not physical, carnal, or mental assessment. Our help is mighty THROUGH God. Anything that does not line up with the Word of God is to be cast down as a thought and bring it into control, to the obedience of Christ Jesus. Without the Word, there is no ability through God to do this. Man must trust in flesh and ones own will power to break out of bondage. One may say I have not had a drink in 10 years, but it's not free if it's a fight of the flesh every day to not take that drink. That is not freedom, but torment.


Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Only by meditating in the Word can one make themselves prosperous. What is most in your heart, is what you will speak the most. (Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks) What we say matters. It was Joshua that made his own way prosperous by putting the Word first place in their life.

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
(Pro 23:7)

A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
(Pro 18:20-21)

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
(Mar 11:23)

Saying my name is Joel and I am a recovering alcoholic will make Joel just that. Someone that will never recover. I know, I use to be one, but I am free and no longer recovering. I can drink a couple beers and desire to have no more, and only do that once a year or so for the last 14 years. I have no fear of going off the bandwagon because alcohol has no power over me. It use to be over a case of beer a day before I got saved, and it's all I thought about, day and night. I don't tell this to anyone who has issues with drugs or Alcohol because when you think your strong, you will fall. My point is, being free is being in control.

Jesus said the truth shall make you free.


God's part:

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
(Heb 4:15-16)

When we are about to blow it, have those strong temptations, we have an advocate who is always there to help. If we are not taught to stop and get on our knee's and demand help, then we are in trouble. God sent his Word to help us, as there is great power in the Word to change hearts and thinking. The Word can heal our bodies of years of abuse, and make us free. If we don't speak the Word and cast down those thoughts, we are in trouble. We are told we shall be filled by the fruit of our lips. You can't fight thoughts with thoughts.

Our Part:
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
(1Co 9:27)

Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(Rom 8:4)

God has provided all the tools and power we need. We do our part, God is faithful and will always do his part.

Thanks Brother Mike. I was also a drug/alcohol addict. For about 17 years I went to AA and Christian based 12 step meetings. Thinking back I pretty much accepted all those years that it was some kind of disease. I was saved before I became an addict and there were times when I thought I was doing everything the Lord wanted me to do, but even the Christian based 12 step meetings are deceiving in the way that they have people believing that they will have the craving to get high for the rest of their life. I don't believe that they intentionally deceive people but they have accepted how the scientific community defines addiction. So for the longest time I had in my mind that God was going to help me get through the daily struggle, when in fact that's not what He wanted. The Lord is number one in my life now and I actually know what it means to be a new creation and set free. Thanks for posting the scripture, I will take the time to study them carefully so that I can apply them.

 

[iLOVE]

Q. Does God help us to not sin?

A. 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14 NKJV

 

[iLOVE]

The true power of the cross: When Jesus was beaten, tormented, scourged, and nailed to the cross, blood poured from His back, head, hands, and feet; and He was also pierced in His side. Each place from which His blood flowed is significant because it represents a unique aspect of our deliverance.

o His back, which endured the stripes needed to bring about our healing...and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5)

o His head, which bore the crown of thorns. The blood that flowed from His head served as payment for our deliverance from every curse...When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, all of mankind was cursed (Genesis 3:17-18).

o His hands, which were nailed to the cross...When Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, he caused a curse to come upon all mankind, as well as the ground (Genesis 3:17, 18).

The hands are a symbol of our economic strength and capability (Genesis 43:12). God blesses the work of our hands (Deuteronomy 28:8-12, Deuteronomy 12:7, 8). The blood that flowed from His hands signified our freedom from the curse of poverty. The blood flow also released the blessing of abundant life upon Believers.

o His feet, which were nailed to the cross...“I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15).

God established a plan that would ultimately restore the dominion back to mankind. God said that a woman would give birth to a child that would defeat Satan. When Jesus was born, the prophecy was fulfilled. He was born from a woman, defeated Satan, and took the authority from him. Jesus made a way for us to have our sins forgiven and to have eternal life (Colossians 2:13-15, Hebrews 2:14, 15). Jesus returned our dominion and authority back to us (Luke 10:1-19)Jesus shed His precious blood from His feet when He was crucified, giving us dominion over Satan. As His feet were brutally nailed to the cross, a prophetic Word from God was coming to pass. Jesus ultimately defeated Satan and took back the dominion God had given mankind in the Garden of Eden.

o His side, which was pierced by a Roman soldier...Thousands of years ago, prophetic messages recorded in the Old Testament gave details of the crucifixion and how Jesus’ blood would be shed (John 19:32-37).

The prophet Zechariah prophesied the “fountain” from which we would be cleansed (Zechariah 13:1). That fountain is referring to the blood and water that flowed from Jesus’ side. Exodus 12:46 prophesied that Jesus’ legs would not be broken during the crucifixion.
The soldiers broke the legs of those who were being crucified to speed up their death.
However, Jesus had already died so there was no need to break His legs.
The blood and water that flowed from His side represent the cleansing of our sins.

 

[iLOVE]

According to the Bible, living the overcoming, victorious Christian life involves testifying (confessing) to what the Word of God and the Blood of Jesus has done and is doing for me now.

The Blood of Jesus is the Blood of the new covenant which has been shed for me. (Luke 22:20)

The Blood of Jesus is the Blood of the everlasting covenant which is in force for me for all eternity. (Hebrews 13:20)

The life is in the Blood of Jesus, therefore the very life of God lives in my spirit and flows into my soul (mind, will and emotions) and into my physical body. (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11)

Through faith in the Blood of Jesus I have been redeemed, bought from the hand of the enemy.

Therefore I am no longer in the kingdom of darkness but through the Blood I have been translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son. (Colossians 1:13-14; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:18-19; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 9:12)

The Blood of Jesus is very precious to me because of its cleansing power from all sin and unrighteousness, which includes all the consequences and effects of sin. (I John 1:7, 9; Hebrews 10:10-25; Revelation 19:7-9)

Through the precious Blood of Jesus I have been made unto God a king and a priest and have been given authority to reign with him on the earth now and for all eternity. (Revelation 5:9-10; Romans 5:17 The Amplified Bible)

Through the Blood of Jesus all my sins have been remitted, therefore I am now washed, sanctified and justified, as though sin never existed. (I Corinthians 6:11)

I have been bought for a price, purchased with a preciousness (the Blood of Jesus), paid for, made His own. I now honor and bring glory to Him in my body and in my spirit, which are God's. (I Corinthians 6:20 The Amplified Bible)

Not only is my spirit made new - recreated - by the Blood of Jesus, but my conscience has been cleansed. I am now free from ALL guilt, unworthiness, condemnation and sin-consciousness. (Hebrews 9:14)

Through the Blood of the everlasting covenant God makes me perfect, that is He strengthens, completes, makes me what I ought to be, equips me with everything good that I may carry out His will. (Hebrews 13:20-21 The Amplified Bible)

Through the Blood of Jesus I have boldness now to enter into the holy of holies in heaven into the presence of God with a true heart in full assurance of faith. I am now free from all fear and timidity. (Hebrews 10:19-22; Ephesians 2:13)

Through the Blood of Jesus I have been sanctified, set apart for Him. (Hebrews 10:10)

Through the shedding of Blood of Jesus I now have healing and health in my body because Jesus bore my griefs, sicknesses, diseases, weaknesses, distresses and pains. By His stripes I am healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5; I Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:16-17; Galatians 3:13-14)

Through the Blood of Jesus I have been redeemed from the curse of lack and poverty for Jesus Himself bore the chastisement needful to obtain peace, prosperity and total well-being* for me.

Though Jesus was so very rich, yet for my sake he became so very poor on the cross, in order that by His poverty I might become abundantly supplied. (Isaiah 53:4-5; II Corinthians 8:9)

*The Hebrew word "shalom" means peace, prosperity and total well-being.

I have faith in the power of the Blood of Jesus and the Word of God to provide protection for my spirit, soul, body, family, home, and everything that concerns me. When I submit myself to the Word of God, resist the devil, and exercise faith in the power of the Blood, the wicked one cannot touch me. (I John 5:18; Luke 10:19; Psalm 91)

Because of what the Blood and the Word has done for me I am continually overcoming the world, the flesh and the devil. I refuse to be defeated! (Revelation 12:11; I John 5:4-5)

On the basis of the Blood of Jesus I have a standing of eternal sonship with all of it's rights and privileges. (Romans 8:15-17; I John 3:1-2)

On the ground of Jesus' Blood I have a legal right to use the Name of Jesus. (Philippians 2:7-11; John 16:23; Mark 16:17-18)

I have authority to Plead The Blood Of Jesus. Jesus' Blood is alive and speaks on our behalf today. (Hebrews 12:24-25)

Many examples from the Bible show the relationship between the Blood of Jesus and a particular benefit such as redemption, forgiveness of sins, cleansing, sanctification, healing and prosperity. When I plead the Blood, it is a valid, scriptural expression of my faith in that Blood. I will testify to the power of the Blood and the Word of God, thereby robbing Satan of his power to defeat me. I will say boldly and confidently: "Satan, the blood of Jesus is against you. I hold the blood against you and declare on the authority of God's Word that Jesus' Blood does now overcome you, sin, every sickness, disease, pain, lack, poverty and every evil work. Flee Now in Jesus' Name!"

 

[Brother Mike]

Thanks Brother Mike. I was also a drug/alcohol addict. For about 17 years I went to AA and Christian based 12 step meetings. Thinking back I pretty much accepted all those years that it was some kind of disease. I was saved before I became an addict and there were times when I thought I was doing everything the Lord wanted me to do, but even the Christian based 12 step meetings are deceiving in the way that they have people believing that they will have the craving to get high for the rest of their life. I don't believe that they intentionally deceive people but they have accepted how the scientific community defines addiction. them carefully so that I can apply them.

Praise God! thank you for that victory report. Paul said one thing I have learned. looking not at those thing behind, but lookin forward to those things ahead. all things have become new, former things have passed away. when people get revelation of what being a child of the most high is, a new creature not any longer subject to the elements of this present world. the less appealing things in this world become.

 

[jeff77]

According to the Bible, living the overcoming, victorious Christian life involves testifying (confessing) to what the Word of God and the Blood of Jesus has done and is doing for me now.

The Blood of Jesus is the Blood of the new covenant which has been shed for me. (Luke 22:20)

The Blood of Jesus is the Blood of the everlasting covenant which is in force for me for all eternity. (Hebrews 13:20)

The life is in the Blood of Jesus, therefore the very life of God lives in my spirit and flows into my soul (mind, will and emotions) and into my physical body. (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11)

Through faith in the Blood of Jesus I have been redeemed, bought from the hand of the enemy.

Therefore I am no longer in the kingdom of darkness but through the Blood I have been translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son. (Colossians 1:13-14; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:18-19; Acts 20:28; Hebrews 9:12)

The Blood of Jesus is very precious to me because of its cleansing power from all sin and unrighteousness, which includes all the consequences and effects of sin. (I John 1:7, 9; Hebrews 10:10-25; Revelation 19:7-9)

Through the precious Blood of Jesus I have been made unto God a king and a priest and have been given authority to reign with him on the earth now and for all eternity. (Revelation 5:9-10; Romans 5:17 The Amplified Bible)

Through the Blood of Jesus all my sins have been remitted, therefore I am now washed, sanctified and justified, as though sin never existed. (I Corinthians 6:11)

I have been bought for a price, purchased with a preciousness (the Blood of Jesus), paid for, made His own. I now honor and bring glory to Him in my body and in my spirit, which are God's. (I Corinthians 6:20 The Amplified Bible)

Not only is my spirit made new - recreated - by the Blood of Jesus, but my conscience has been cleansed. I am now free from ALL guilt, unworthiness, condemnation and sin-consciousness. (Hebrews 9:14)

Through the Blood of the everlasting covenant God makes me perfect, that is He strengthens, completes, makes me what I ought to be, equips me with everything good that I may carry out His will. (Hebrews 13:20-21 The Amplified Bible)

Through the Blood of Jesus I have boldness now to enter into the holy of holies in heaven into the presence of God with a true heart in full assurance of faith. I am now free from all fear and timidity. (Hebrews 10:19-22; Ephesians 2:13)

Through the Blood of Jesus I have been sanctified, set apart for Him. (Hebrews 10:10)

Through the shedding of Blood of Jesus I now have healing and health in my body because Jesus bore my griefs, sicknesses, diseases, weaknesses, distresses and pains. By His stripes I am healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5; I Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:16-17; Galatians 3:13-14)

Through the Blood of Jesus I have been redeemed from the curse of lack and poverty for Jesus Himself bore the chastisement needful to obtain peace, prosperity and total well-being* for me.

Though Jesus was so very rich, yet for my sake he became so very poor on the cross, in order that by His poverty I might become abundantly supplied. (Isaiah 53:4-5; II Corinthians 8:9)

*The Hebrew word "shalom" means peace, prosperity and total well-being.

I have faith in the power of the Blood of Jesus and the Word of God to provide protection for my spirit, soul, body, family, home, and everything that concerns me. When I submit myself to the Word of God, resist the devil, and exercise faith in the power of the Blood, the wicked one cannot touch me. (I John 5:18; Luke 10:19; Psalm 91)

Because of what the Blood and the Word has done for me I am continually overcoming the world, the flesh and the devil. I refuse to be defeated! (Revelation 12:11; I John 5:4-5)

On the basis of the Blood of Jesus I have a standing of eternal sonship with all of it's rights and privileges. (Romans 8:15-17; I John 3:1-2)

On the ground of Jesus' Blood I have a legal right to use the Name of Jesus. (Philippians 2:7-11; John 16:23; Mark 16:17-18)

I have authority to Plead The Blood Of Jesus. Jesus' Blood is alive and speaks on our behalf today. (Hebrews 12:24-25)

Many examples from the Bible show the relationship between the Blood of Jesus and a particular benefit such as redemption, forgiveness of sins, cleansing, sanctification, healing and prosperity. When I plead the Blood, it is a valid, scriptural expression of my faith in that Blood. I will testify to the power of the Blood and the Word of God, thereby robbing Satan of his power to defeat me. I will say boldly and confidently: "Satan, the blood of Jesus is against you. I hold the blood against you and declare on the authority of God's Word that Jesus' Blood does now overcome you, sin, every sickness, disease, pain, lack, poverty and every evil work. Flee Now in Jesus' Name!"

Thank you iLove, for the many scriptures you have provided!

 

[for_his_glory]

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

The addiction is that of what the flesh craves after. IE: drugs, food, fornication, etc. etc. that causes sin found in us as anything we put before the Lord becomes our idol. It's Christ who is our faith that helps us with our infirmities (sin) through that of Gods grace that gives us power and authority to take charge of this flesh so our spirit stays in the will of God wanting to do that which is right and good so we are always pleasing to the father in all we do and say.

 

[jeff77]

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

The addiction is that of what the flesh craves after. IE: drugs, food, fornication, etc. etc. that causes sin found in us as anything we put before the Lord becomes our idol. It's Christ who is our faith that helps us with our infirmities (sin) through that of Gods grace that gives us power and authority to take charge of this flesh so our spirit stays in the will of God wanting to do that which is right and good so we are always pleasing to the father in all we do and say.

Thank you for the scripture and I like your explanation. The drugs/alcohol definitely become more important than God, thus making them an idol. The thing is when someone who is already a believer for example wants to quit and puts God back in charge of their life they still may not be able to help having the cravings for the drug. It doesn't mean they have a disease but the prolonged use of the drug has that consequence for a while. I have heard of people claiming that as soon as they accepted Christ as their savior they lost craving for drugs in an instant. In my case it took about 8 months to a year. I think that may be why people compare it to a disease, because even though they are not actively using chemicals and have a true desire to not do them, they still can't help feeling like doing them.

 

[for_his_glory]

Thank you for the scripture and I like your explanation. The drugs/alcohol definitely become more important than God, thus making them an idol. The thing is when someone who is already a believer for example wants to quit and puts God back in charge of their life they still may not be able to help having the cravings for the drug. It doesn't mean they have a disease but the prolonged use of the drug has that consequence for a while. I have heard of people claiming that as soon as they accepted Christ as their savior they lost craving for drugs in an instant. In my case it took about 8 months to a year. I think that may be why people compare it to a disease, because even though they are not actively using chemicals and have a true desire to not do them, they still can't help feeling like doing them.

The want to is always there, but in time weakens as we draw closer to Christ to the point we really do not want to anymore, but I think at times we do think about it as Satan loves to tempt us.