New Wine Testimony: Sherman

My name is Sherman and I'm 36. I was introduced to pot when I was in 11th grade in High School. I began drinking shortly after. For 18 years I abused pot and alcohol. Then I was introduced to cocaine, and the pot stopped. My life was a life of lies and deception. I was deceived into thinking that I could some day just stop. After all, I am a born-again Christian, and God can do anything. But I was continually abusing drugs and the grace of God. I got married in 1996 and, after a few months of my coming home drunk, my wife was awakened to my problem. I tried to hide it from her all the time; I was sneaking around to get high. She would confront me about it, but I lied about it and denied it for many years. Over and over again I would say, "You're right, I was using drugs. Please forgive me and I will not do it again" while I had a stash of pot somewhere hidden. I was selfish and not really taking life as seriously as I should have been. My sin brought me to jails and rehabs. Finally I died and realized my life is not my own; I need to live to glorify Christ. I was hurting my family and my God. I was living a double life for a long time. You see I was brought up in a Christian home. I was the so-called "Preacher's Son" and I held up that reputation well with all my wrongs. I have been going to church all my life. I was blinded for some time by Satan who wants my life. I would receive the seed of the Word and go out and do my own thing. The righteous man falls seven times in a day, but gets back up. I knew that I had to get back up. Come just as you are. A broken and contrite heart He will not despise. I'm free from drugs and alcohol now, by God's grace. My wife and two kids are enjoying life with a brand new me now that I've been clean and sober for two months. I stay in the Word of God and around the people of God. I pray and worship God all the time. I love and serve those around me. I think it's important for me to stay in a mindset that I need Jesus and He is the one who is going to satisfy all my needs.