One psychologist informed that those who come out of alcohol addiction or drug addiction do so because of one of more of the following reasons: Fear of God or conscience or society or consequences.
1) Fear of God: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10) Fear of God helped Joseph to run away from a seductress. “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.” (Proverbs 8:13) When a person realizes that s/he is created in the image of God, and body is the Temple of Holy Spirit, no one will dare to sin or habitually live in sin.
2) Fear of Conscience: There is a natural red-light that emerges from the conscience. Listening to good advice of conscience helps a person to flee from evil sinful habits. Sadly, many silences their conscience or sear conscience to justify sin and evil. Those who come to Lord Jesus Christ can develop a renewed mind and consecrated, clean and good conscience. (Hebrews 10:22)
3) Fear of Society: Community plays an important role in restricting evil. When a society ignores sin or evil, then social evils will flourish. A community could make feel ashamed a sinner. Fearing being shamed, a person could change. A person who has repented and recovering from sinful habits or addiction need loving and caring community to live in freedom. Certainly, church, the community of saints could easily provide a nurturing support for such people.
4) Fear of consequences: Even children know that they would be punished if they overstep the limits by strict parents. When the rule is not imposed, children habitually tend to break laws. When sinners do not understand the consequences of Law, they indulge in all kinds of sinful activities unashamed. Bible warns that wages of sin is death, which is second death – hell. (Romans 6:23)
A disciple has all these resources to overcome sin, sinful habits and addictions of all kind – alcohol, drugs, pornography…etc.
Do I overcome Temptations, Sins, Satan and world?