The fact that you’ve even asked means you’ve acknowledged one of the most difficult steps in recovery, “I’ve got a problem.” All of my answers in this column, unless otherwise stated, are based on the Word of God. Sigmund Freud’s angle of anthropology, Carl Roger’s psychology, and Frederick Skinner’s philosophy have all noticeably failed in our supposed “age of enlightenment.” We have managed to become more addicted, selfish and problematic as a society than few before. The problem is not a disease. The Word of God calls it sin.

Please read 2 Peter 2:9-22. Verse 19 says, “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” From the start we must agree with God on the nature of our problem: we are servants of corruption. Proverbs 5:22 agrees. “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” So how can we B-R-E-A-K free? Let’s look at each letter (this acrostic is taken from notes in my file…not original to me).

B – Begin now. Today. Not tomorrow. Proverbs 27:1, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Ecclesiastes 11:4, “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.”

R – Refuse to blame others. Accept responsibility. You did it. Admit it. Proverbs 19:3, “The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord.” It’s lame to lay blame.

E – Examine your own life. Do an honest self-assessment. Be frank. Denial only prevents healing. Lamentations 3:40, “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.” Psalm 32:4-5, “For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me…I acknowledged my sin unto thee…mine iniquity have I not hid…I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”

A – Ask Christ for forgiveness and His righteousness. Romans 6:12-14, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God…and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

K – Keep away from temptation. Avoid it. Don’t pass by it. Turn away from it (Prov 4:14-15). Plan your life and time carefully to allow strict compliance in these areas. Romans 13:14, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”