Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)

Addictions come in all forms. Anything that has control over us is an addiction. It starts out with a choice, and we think we are in control, but after a while the addiction is controlling us. The more we yield to something, the more it becomes our master. The addiciton might be drugs, alcohol, nicotene, tobacco, sex, anger, food, selfishness, or even people can be an addiction. Whatever we don’t overcome will overcome us (II Peter 2:19).

God wants us to let Him have control. As we give Him control, He will lead into freedom and not bindage. We must make a choice, moment by moment, to follow God and not do what we’ve always done.The more we sin, the more it has power over us, but the more we choose God, the more power He will give us over sin. We cannot serve two masters. We must choose God over sin and the things that try to control us. Eventually one will win out based on our choices. It is a day by day, moment by moment thing.

As we yield to God, the Holy Spirit will produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) to help us overcome the flesh (the desire to sin). We musr renwe our minds to the Word of God to think in line with His Word. The Word and the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to change and overcome any addiciton we’re dealing with. Begin to speak God’s Word regarding what you are fighting. The spoken Word produces the power to overcome (Proverbs 18:21).

Here steps to take to get free and stay free from addiciton.

• If you are not born again, the first step to freedom is to accept Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10, 13)

• Know that whom the Son sets free is free indeed. When you understand and believe that Jesus is the Source of freedom, it is liberating (John 8:36)

• Confess and renounce all sin- through words and actions. Repent means to turn away from something and head in the opposite direction. Repenting of sin is necessary to be free. (I john 1:9, Acts 19:19, Deuteronomy 18:9-14)

• Turn away from all that ensnares. In other words, remove yourself from people and situations that would try to draw you back into sin. This may mean getting a whole new set of friends. (Proverbs 4:25-27, Hebrews 12:1-2, I Corinthians 15:33)

• Stay in the Word of God to overcome (John 8:31-32, Matthew 4, Proverbs 4:20-23).

• Pray. Talk to God and listen to what He speaks to your heart (Psalm 46:10, Psalm 5:1-3). Prayer is communication with your heavenly Father and helps you to stay strong agaisnt temptation.

• Stay full of the Holy Spirit. Pray in tongues daily to stay strengthened in your inner man (Jude 1:20). if you haven’t been baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, as a born-again Christian, you can just ask the Lord to baptize you in His Spirit. Staying full of the Holy Spirit helps you to resist sin, satan, the world, and selfishness (Ephesians 5:18-20, I John 2:15-17, Mark 16:17, James 4:7).

• Seek God’s presence daily. Worshipping Him with Godly music will usher in the presence of God (Psalm 63, John 4:23-24, Psalm 96).

• Expose yourself to the things of God instead of wordly things (II Corinthians 6:17-18).

• Be part of a local church (Psalm 133, Hebrews 10:25, I John 1:3). It helps to find godly, trustworthy people who can help you stay accountable and who can encourage you.

These are all things that will help you stay free. And do not become condemned if you slip up. Just get back up and keep on going. Don’t quit if you mess up. And always remember that as a child of God, you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. The devil will try to beat you up if you sin, but just remember that God loves you and is for you- so don’t give up. Jesus died to make us free and we will not stop until we walk in the freedom He provided.