Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook by June Hunt Read Free Book Online

heart of compassion” (see Galatians 6:2).
W HAT A RE THE “D ON ’ TS ” FOR D ELIVERANCE ? 6
    Don’t fight addiction on your own. Rely on God and participate in a legitimate drug recovery program (see Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
     
    Don’t be blind about your ability to lie to yourself and to others! Ask someone to help you be accountable (see Jeremiah 17:9).

    Don’t socialize with those who encourage or tolerate your habit. Forge new friendships and helpful, healthy habits (see 1 Corinthians 15:33).
     
    Don’t worry about the future. Walk with God one day at a time (see Matthew 6:34).

    Don’t give up if you relapse. It is never too late to get back on track. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
     
    Don’t be prideful as you succeed in the recovery process. Be grateful for God’s grace and power to achieve change. “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

    Don’t be surprised at temptation—flee from it! “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
W HAT A RE THE S PIRITUAL T IPS FOR R ECOVERY ? 7
    Realize that the time to begin recovery is today.
     
    “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15).

    Accept that recovery is a lifelong process, not a onetime event.
     
    “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12).

    Pray daily for victory. It is through prayer that God protects you.
     
    “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

    Read your Bible every day to get strength from God.
     
    “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word” (Psalm 119:28).

    Meditate on Scripture to fight against falling into sin.
     
    “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

    Attend church every week to worship God and to grow with others.
     
    “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

    Share your struggles with caring loved ones.
     
    “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

    Have confidence in God and prioritize growing in your relationship with Him.
     
    “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

    Depend on Christ’s strength to stay drug-or alcohol-free.
     
    “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

    Know that permanent change is possible.
     
    “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

    You may say, “I can’t…I’ve tried…I just can’t do it!”
    Well, maybe it’s true you don’t have the stamina to stop…and stay stopped. But understand that Christ hasn’t called you to stay sober alone. The Bible reveals the secret: “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass” (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NASB ).

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    Q: Why do people have a personal conviction to abstain from alcohol?
     
    A: First, the Bible gives us warnings like this one: “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler” (Proverbs 20:1).

Second, the Bible gives us “the stumbling argument”—the concern that someone might stumble because of your example. “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble” (Romans 14:21 ESV ).

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Your Scripture Prayer Project
    1 Corinthians