SEVEN STEPS TO VICTORY OVER ALL ADDICTIONS

By Dionne Sabbay ThompsonAugust 14, 2011 (Revised)

ATTENTION: THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED TO SUBSTITUTE CLINICAL TREATMENT. IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF URGENT CARE, PLEASE SEE A

PRACTITIONER IMMEDIATELY.

The 7 Steps to victory over all Addictions is the application of Christ’s most precious, Righteousness by faith, Latter rain doctrines to a Christian’s life experience Deut. 32:2, Joel 2:23, Zech. 10:1. Christ’s righteousness is required to perfect a human’s character experience, ensuring spiritual development and Victory over all addictions including: Alcohol, Gambling, Nicotine (Cigarettes), Cannabis (Marijuana) Pharmaceutical Drugs, Sugar and Narcotics—just to mention a few. All aforementioned addictive issues are deeply rooted in sin, as God’s Spirit empowers “temperance” and “virtue” in all things Gal. 5:22-23.

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" Acts 3:19. Repentance is required, as God expects us to take a stand for complete Truth; putting away sin; as “whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” 1John 3:9. We must die daily to sin 1Cor. 15:31. While Christ has all power, Satan with his “limited power” enjoys to see God’s creations ensnared and overwhelmed with unhappiness, as Satan and his imperfect,

confused government has but a short time remaining on earth, before the end of the great controversy – see Rev. 12:12.1

Step#1

Acknowledging the authority of the Moral law of God is vital. His unchanging Character Transcript, found in Exodus 20 was written with the Finger of God and it pre-empts and supersedes all other laws and statutes Exo. 31:18, Mal. 3:6, Heb. 13:8, James 1:17.

Step#2

Prayer and daily devotion with Christ is crucial. Earnest Prayer along with opening the door for eternal loving, divine, righteous and wise power, provided by the Holy Spirit, the Comforter is paramount John 15:26. Becoming best friends with Christ is primary and super important, telling Him everything about your life, confiding in Him fully, holding nothing back, having Him "formed in you" Gal. 4:19, Col. 1:27. "The most eloquent prayers are but idle words if they do not express the true sentiments of the heart. But the prayer that comes from an earnest heart, when the simple wants of the soul are expressed, as we would ask an earthly friend for a favor, expecting it to be granted--this is the prayer of faith".2 Additionally, we must accept His perfect Righteous Robe, clothing ourselves with it; as a merciful and gracious Shield against ungodliness Eph. 2:8-10, Phil. 3:9-11.

Step#3

Fasting and prayer at your discretion is a definite must. Angels record every prayer that is sincere – see Great Controversy p. 622. Praying for Divine energy to dwell within one’s soul is a requirement. God replaces character defects with His divine fruit of the Spirit, John 15:1, Gal. 5:22-23. The Third person of the Godhead can free Believers from “the pull of sin” – see Desire of Ages p. 671. Believers must be crucified with Christ, sacrificing all for Him; as He created you and only He can cure you Mark 9:23, 10:27, Gal. 2:20. By exercising the will of God, His remnant (through His righteous power) can resist temptation: as they fully surrender to God, for it is Him that "doeth the works" John 14:10.

1 See also E.G. White The Great Controversy chapter 32 “Snares of Satan”.2 E.G. White Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings p. 86.

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Step#4 A Believer must confess that God’s Ten Commandments are the only solution to the sin problem, and the transgression of its absolute principles caused the “mystery of iniquity” the problem of sin 2Thess. 2:7, 1John 3:4. “Divine grace must be received daily or no man will stay converted” – see Our High Calling p. 215. “Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might” – see Steps to Christ pages 70. God’s Character Transcript perfectly and uniquely permits divine rest, as Christ is Lord of the Sabbath, as His yoke is easy and His burden is light Matt. 11:29-30, 12:8, Mark 2:28. And finally, God honors those who honor His “sacred” seventh-day Sabbath, a visible manifestation of His sealing Truth Gen. 2:3, Exo. 20:8-11, Eze. 20:12.

Step#5

A Believer must engage in deep searching of the heart, consecrating themselves before the Lord – see Micah 4:13. “God can breathe new life into every soul that sincerely desires to serve Him, and can touch the lips with a live coal from off the altar, and cause them to become eloquent with His praise”.3 “When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes power of the heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself".4 By exercising the will of God, His remnant through His righteous power can resist temptation: as they fully surrender to God, for it is Him that "doeth the works Matthew 4:1-4, John 14:10, Heb. 4:15, James 4:7.5

Step#6

Confessing that you have a serious addiction problem that only Christ can help you permanently remove is essential, as He is able to create in you a new heart and mind Eze. 36:26. Sinners desiring deliverance from all addictions must exercise complete faith in Christ, the Redeemer, an Antitypical Lamb, without spot or blemish—that can remove sin completely from the world 1Cor. 5:7, 1Pet. 1:19. “Sinful man can find hope and righteousness only in God, and no human being is righteous any longer than he has faith in God and maintains a vital connection with Him”.6

3 E.G. WhiteThe Review and Herald July 20, 1886.4 E.G. White The Desire of Ages p. 324.5 D. Thompson A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection p. 92.6 E.G. White Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers p. 367.

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Step#7

And finally, Believers must profess that Christ or Yeshua is our Antitypical High Priest during the Antitypical time of Atonement—who has power to separate His creations from sin completely. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1John 1:9. Currently, before the close of probation for the world, Christ is engaged in redemptive work within the Heavenly Sanctuary. “Notwithstanding our unworthiness, we are ever to bear in mind that there is One that can take away sin and save the sinner. Every sin acknowledged before God with a contrite heart, He will remove”.7 All who are guilty of sin should seek Him out for permanent deliverance from iniquity, afflicting their souls: as the wages of sin is death Lev. 16, 23:27; Heb. 6:20, 8:3-4, 9:12-28.8

Congratulations Overcomer in Christ, as now you have the formula for complete Victory over all ungodly addictions: and, I can not wait to see you in Heaven 2Pet. 3:12-14.

Character Purity Ministries ,   located in Pelham, New York (Westchester County), aims to edify the globe about the Three Angels' Messages, the Loud cry and all relevant end-time present Truth, as Christ's return is imminent: and, He hopes to cut His work short in righteousness Rom. 1:16-17, 9:28; Rev. 14:6-12, 18:1-4.

7Ibid. p. 938 D. Thompson A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection p. 21-31.

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