Jesus Christ has done something about your problem. He came to liberate you from addiction and enable you to gain self-control, a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23).
- What Scripture Says
- There Is Hope
- Be Spiritually Reborn
- Receive The Baptism With The Holy Spirit
- As You Pray
- Suggested Reading
What Scripture Says
"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (1 Corinthians 6:12)."And do not be drunk with wine (or high on other drugs), in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-19).
"So they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, 'What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out'" (Luke 4:36).
"Having disarmed principalities and powers [with their deception and destruction], He made a public spectacle of them [on the cross], triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:15).
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.... For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Galatians 5:1,13).
There Is Hope
Take seriously the bondage in which you are involved. God cares about you and has a solution. Your real problem is not an incurable illness, but sin. And Jesus came to deal with sin (1 Corinthians 6:11).First is your need to be spiritually reborn and baptized with the Holy Spirit. Then you need to change your life patterns. You also may need help for deliverance from drugs. Be bold. Take a fearless inventory of your life. Ask for help from your family, Christian friends, and your local pastor. Also, make sure to call one of our Crossroads prayer partners for prayer to receive God's strength and deliverance.
It is said that it takes 31 days to break a habit. Keep in mind that drug addiction is a "life-dominating" problem, so radical changes must be made regarding associates, social atmosphere, places frequented, etc. Replacement, not abstention, is the key. Find a Christian coffeehouse, Bible study/prayer group and a warm church fellowship. If you would like assistance in finding a good church, you may contact the Crossroads Ministry Centre.
You need to keep busy and occupy your mind with new things (Philippians 4:8,9). Learn to yield yourself to Christ rather than to drugs, old friends, self-pity, guilt, fear, etc.
Be Spiritually Reborn
God has a plan for your salvation. Call on the Lord to forgive you of your sins and to save your mind, body and soul (1 John 1:9). Then receive Him as your Saviour and Lord (John 1:12). Believe Him. He said He would not turn anyone away. He loves you and gave His life for you (John 3:16,17).Receive The Baptism With The Holy Spirit
Once you become a Christian, you can have God's power available through the Holy Spirit. You will be able to live as God intended (Ezekiel 36:27). The Holy Spirit empowers you to help others (Acts 1:8). He also aids and teaches you (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13), and guides you into truth (John 16:13) and in life (Acts 10:19; 13:2; 16:6).You may want to ask someone already baptized with the Holy Spirit to pray with you. Just as you asked the Lord to forgive your sins, believing He would, ask Him now to baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). He promised to do so, so take Him at His Word. Thank and praise Him for being a God who does as He promises.
Tell someone else what you've done. Just as other Christians will rejoice with you and help you, the angels and God Himself rejoices with you too!
As You Pray
Thank God for His love, concern, and power to save and deliver. Renounce the drugs, old friends, and hangouts connected with your drug problem. Yield yourself to Jesus. Thank Him for coming into your heart and filling you with the Holy Spirit. Take Him at His Word and thank Him for delivering you from drugs.Suggested Reading
The Cross And The Switchblade by David Wilkerson; Run, Baby, Run by Nicky Cruz; and The Bondage Breaker by Neil T. Anderson.Acts 2:3,38; 8:17; 10:44; 19:6 The Holy Spirit first experienced
Romans 11:2a God does not reject His chosen ones
Philippians 4:4-9 Growth in Christ
Crossroads is happy to help. In fact, that's the whole reason we exist as a ministry. The daily 100 Huntley Street telecast and the 24-hour-a-day Telephone Ministry line are here for the same reason. You may want to call us as you are reading this: 1-866-273-4444
God loves you and we love you! Please give us the privilege of doing our best to help more. For further ministry, you may contact the Crossroads Ministry Centre by writing to:
Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.
Attn: National Ministry Centre
PO Box 5100
Burlington, Ontario L7R 4M2
