New Wine - A Free Course

Day 1 - Part 2

As we start, we must understand some fundamental truths about obtaining freedom from addiction. In order to be successful in carrying out a battle plan against alcohol and drug addiction, two things must be accepted. First and foremost, we must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ so that the power of His Holy Spirit is available to us. Secondly, we must make the decision to change for the right reasons.

One of the most important questions to ask a person fighting addiction is a question that rarely gets asked at all: "Why do you want freedom from alcohol and drugs?" The motives behind our decision to seek help are very important. Unless our motives are the right ones, chances are the healing we desire will elude us.

Course member Teresa writes: "I have turned to alcohol instead of Christ to meet my needs. When I don't want to deal with something, I numb myself rather than ask Christ to help me. I have lived as a hypocrite saying one thing and doing another."

So what is the proper motive for seeking freedom? The proper biblical motive for any kind of life change must be the glory of God.

Many times, I’ve spoken to married men who are motivated to fight addiction by a desire to keep or regain their wife and family. While this sounds like a noble motive, it’s not a bedrock motive—the kind that will withstand the trials that inevitably come our way. Suppose the wife leaves anyway? Will the journey out of alcoholism still be worthwhile then? Probably not, in the mind of someone who's only motivated by a desire to keep the family intact.

If a desire for family closeness—or some other outside motivator—is the only thing that keeps us on track, where are we if those things disappear? Only Jesus Christ offers an unchanging ...

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