Top 10 Bible Verses To Help In Addiction Recovery
As you move away from a past life of addiction, turning to God will help you to rebuild your life and to find a firm foundation on which to live. Whether youre just entering recovery, considering it and looking for motivation, or well on your way to a clean and sober lifestyle, its never too late to turn to God and to seek support in your addiction recovery. While its always important to seek out the assistance God has given us in the form of therapy, community, and church, you can also turn to His Word for support, motivation, and inspiration as you work through yourself and towards change.
While each one of us will find motivation and inspiration in our own way, the Word of God can be a beautiful and poignant reminder of what we are striving for. You can take these 10 Bible verses to help with your addiction recovery or set aside time to read the Word of God yourself, a few pages at a time, to find your own inspiration.
What You Need For Bible Study
All materials are provided, but you may bring your own Bible if you wish. Bible study is most beneficial to those who come with an open mind and willingness to share.
While we are working on expanding Bible study to the evening clinic, Bible study is currently only offered during morning clinic hours. Evening clinic participants may attend Bible study with prior authorization from DCRT staff.
The Twelve Missteps Of Life Recovery
Within recovery, many individualseven those who are striving to follow Gods willoften fall prey to negative mindsets or perceptions which damage their recovery. This section outlines some of the more common trains of thought which could become damaging to your sobriety if left unchecked. Each misstep is followed by a powerful and positive counterpoint, supported by a pertinent passage.
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Life Recovery Topical Index
Perhaps youd like to connect a variety of these tools to one subject or study, such as trust. This index helps you to navigate or cross-reference your way through this Bible. This index provides a starting point for locating recovery-related devotionals, notes, profiles, and recovery themes. It also makes it easier to return to a section you found particularly helpful.
Topics range greatly, including: emotional and mental states, both positive and negative relationship- and family-related subjects substance abuse, and many other scenarios within life. For instance, you could choose to look up: amends, anger, blame, depression, fellowship, joy, marriage, mentors, obstacles, or relapse, to name a small selection.
Here, we will continue to study the concept of trust. After searching for trust within the index, you find the word followed by a section of information directing you to recovery resources.
For example, trust is followed by:
- Noteswill be followed by numerous Bible passages
- Profileswill list the name of the person
- Twelve Step Devotionalswill list which step and how the topic is addressed in connection to it
- Recovery Principle Devotionalslists a principle to study
- Recovery Themesinclude the books of the Bible where this topic may be found
Not every word is linked to every resource, for instance, you will note that Serenity Prayer Devotional was not listed. We will discuss and explain these features in greater depth shortly.
How To Read The Life Recovery Bible
Now that you know the 12 steps and the contents of the book, youre ready to start reading it for yourself.
You can go about reading The Life Recovery Bible in one of two ways:
- read it as you would read any other book, from start to finish linearly
- jump around, selecting themes and chapters that are pertinent to your recovery
Theres no right way to read The Life Recovery Bible. But if there are certain themes you know you struggle with , you may benefit from the second option.
With the second option, you can treat The Life Recovery Bible as a study tool or textbook, looking at sections that delve into specific topics of interest and learning more about those.
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Amazing Grace Addiction Bible Study
The current success rate for addiction treatment is less than 30 percent, which means that 7 out of 10 recovering addicts are not being cured of the so-called disease of addiction. Why doesnt treatment work?
The answer is simple addiction is not a disease. In fact, the mainstream mythology of Once and addict, always and addict falls apart upon close inspection. Therefore addictive behaviors must be evaluated within the context of not sickness but sin. Through the study of the Bible, so-called addicts can learn how to achieve forgiveness of their sins and deliverance from their addictions by offering their hearts, minds, and bodies to Jesus Christ. They can then be taught how to take advantage of the powerful indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to wage war against their persistent addictive thoughts.
Ultimately, this study has been designed to help substance abusers to focus their minds on God in order to subdue their stubborn cravings for the seductive forbidden fruit of intoxication.
Better Understanding Of Gods Character
With all of this being said, one of the greatest pros of an addiction recovery bible study is gaining a clearer understanding of Gods character. The Bible is the number one place to go to if you want to get to know God better. If youre working on your faith in recovery or attend faith-based addiction group therapy, its important to learn more about Him directly from the source. Gods character is displayed in the numerous stories, problems, and solutions mentioned in the Bible. But no matter what, His love, anger, pain, mercy, and grace are constant throughout the many ups and downs people experienced throughout history. Not only does reading scripture allow you to understand how God sees and loves you, but its also a reminder that He loves you through the good and the bad.
Integrating faith in recovery has helped many people heal physically, psychologically, and spiritually from addiction, and it could help you too. If youre battling addiction or know someone who is, call Faith in Recovery today at to learn more about the Christian addiction programs and treatments we offer.
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How Do I Stay Positive And On Track
Addiction, and at times, recovery, can seem like a battle between the negative and positive. It can weigh heavy on your heart. Even those who practice the Lords Word will struggle with these things. But dont fearthe Bible gives us instruction on this too.
Its important not just to read His Word, but to put it into practice within our daily lives. In closing, well leave you with an impactful and positive directive from Philippians 4: 6-9. This passage is a great testament to the power that lies within persistence and positive thinking, in it Paul writes:
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from meeverything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Let these words settle in and encourage you as you move forward in your treatment or recovery, nearer to alleviating your anxiety or depression, and closer to God.
The Bible isnt for one-time use. It is an anchor and an axissomething we should always return to both in times of struggle and moments of joy. Recovery is surely a journey with many challenges, challenges which may be made easier by the power of Gods Word as witnessed in The Life Recovery Bible.
Who Are The Addicts
Addicts come in all shapes and sizes and smells. Some are CEOs, white collar professionals, deacons and Sunday school teachers. Others are homeless street people and bag ladies whose aroma lingers in your office long after theyve left. But, if you peer into the soul of any of these addicts, or your soul or mine, you smell the same thing: desire, thirst, hunger, longing, craving and lust. Addiction and the human condition live in the same family. The difference between you, me and the addict is wafer-thin.
Currently, the medical disease model and 12-step recovery programs dominate both the discussion and the response to addictions. There is one problem with the medical disease model, however. The cause of the disease has never been identified. There is no gene or virus or bacteria or metabolic deficiency or neuropathology that has been conclusively proven to be the cause of any addiction. Do addicts have a disease like cancer or diabetes? Or, is disease only a metaphor for sin-sickness and the devastation that follows?
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A Consequence Of Brokeness And Sin
Most addicts are emotionally wounded people who have experienced severe trauma, often in childhood. Their addiction becomes a way of coping with everyday life, helping them forget or mask past hurts. Instead, the person ends up in a destructive cycle of bondage to sin, rendering them incapable of experiencing the freedom and wholeness they truly want and need.
2 Peter 2:19For you are a slave to whatever controls you.
John 8:34
Romans 6:16Dont you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.
Romans 6:2021For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
The Twelve Gifts Of Life Recovery
A successful recovery can bring not only sobriety, but also a more positive and fulfilling life. Here youll find twelve potential gifts or positive outcomes. These could occur as you overcome the damaging behaviors of addiction and move into a new and sober life informed by the Word of God. Each gift is followed by one to two passages of Scripture.
These provide you with examples of positive goals or mindsets which you can integrate into your recovery plan.
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What Are The 12 Steps
The 12 steps are a set of guidelines for those overcoming alcohol addiction.
These steps are outlined in Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism.
Today, the 12 steps can be used by anyone recovering from any addiction, not just alcohol. Family members and friends can also use these principles in Al-Anon groups.
The 12 steps are as follows:
These are the same points that will be used throughout The Life Recovery Bible, each of which may be accompanied by Bible verses, devotionals, personal reflection, and more.
What Are Bible Studies
Bible studies may refer to a group of people who get together to study the bible or to a single person studying the bible on their own. The term bible study has been thrown around a lot and is more frequently used as an umbrella term that covers a whole range of Christian activities. However, bible studies specifically refer to the act of studying the bible. These studies can be done in groups or alone, and people may use study bibles that include author notes and other helpful guides. There are also many bible studies for people in addiction recovery that are centered on helping them learn more about the Bible and apply its wisdom to their lives.
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Break Free From Addiction With Wisdom From Scripture
- General Biblical Studies, Interdenominational Christian Training Center
Addiction is a chronic or habitual dependency on a substance , a compulsion , or an activity . These are just a few of the many addictions people use to cope with overwhelming life events or to escape emotional pain and anxiety.
While the Bible does not explicitly mention the word addiction, it does contain numerous passages that address the issue and offer wisdom to help believers break free from sin and the consequences of addiction. These Bible verses about addiction provide hope, healing, guidance, and insight on your road to recovery.
Set Aside A Specific Time Of Day For Your Study
Structure is important in recovery. If youre studying the Bible alone, reach out and ask someone close to you to help you adhere to this time. If youre studying with others, help each other keep this commitment.
Hebrews 10:24-25 instructs us of this importance: Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another.
This verse echoes the importance of Step Twelve. Also, dont forgeton top of this, you can pray or read your Bible anytime you need a boost or desire to feel closer to God.
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Pastoral Care For The Addict
If addiction is disordered, sinful, idolatrous worship then what would the solution be? Let me outline a few steps toward a Biblical solution for addiction.
Lastly, do not get discouraged with relapses. They are all too common. Those who have successfully conquered addiction usually fail several times before they achieve victory.
What Are The Life Recovery Bibles Twelve Steps
The Life Recovery Bible lists both The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and a version adapted for this Bible. Here are the Life Recovery Bibles Twelve Steps:
If youre not familiar with Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Steps, these are very similar, embodying all the same critical components.
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Help Each Other Learn
Even with the help of a great tool like The Life Recovery Bible, certain parts of the Bible may still seem confusing or even overwhelming. This is why its important to seek fellowship with people who can edify you.
Colossians 3:16 is a powerful reminder of this: Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.
To do this, you can share things youve learned, discuss concepts or passages you dont understand, and pray together for better understanding and the Lords continued guidance.
Overcome Addiction Recovery Bible Study Guide Lesson 3
Depression and Hope
Made of Habits Lesson 3 of the Overcome Addiction Recovery Bible Study Guide
It is ok to be sad and even sorrowful at times. But when you stay there, your perspectivebecomes skewed. Days becomeun-necessarily dreary and you begin to see life through gray coloredlenses. Depression is at times, more ofa choice and a lifestyle than an unbreakable curse upon us. To buy in to this lie is to give up on hopefor a better day.
I dislike teaching a class on depression for a very selfishreason, because the chance is always great that you will dig up old things andwind up getting pulled into the vortex. Depressionis magnetic. You would be surprised athow easy it is when things are going good just to entertain the thought ofsomething that happened in the past and begin dwelling on it, re-living thosesources of depression. So, we are notgoing to do that. Instead we will do aquick fly by on depression but focus our attention on the application sectionat the end.
I do not believe it is by chance that the average age ofonset for major persistent depression is 31-32.5 years of age. For many, in our day and time, around thisage is when idealized dreams begin to disintegrate. Depression is characterized by an overwhelmingsadness, low energy and loss of interest, anger and anxiety. No longer living, just existing. However, for this discussion, I am going todefine depression as a habit of thought you entertain longer than necessary toestablish a perceived reality.
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