Your Daily Devotional for October 25, 2006

 

October 25, 2006

 

 

Spiritual Recovery

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

 

As a pastor, I often come in contact with people who struggle with addictions to the internet, smoking, drinking, and even television. It is usually when these people have reached a point of overload that they want to turn from their sin. As we help them turn onto the path of spiritual recovery, the devil tries every way possible to get them to turn back.

 

Setbacks are common on the road to recovery, as it is a difficult one to travel. People revert back to drinking or back to gambling or back to addictions of all types because of the enormous attacks from the devil.

 

Along with these backward steps comes the tendency to try to control or even deny the problem. People seldom like to admit that they have a problem and often blame everyone but themselves for their failure. It is then that the regression into their old lifestyle of sin begins.

 

There are three noticeable steps in the pattern of regression. The first step is complacency. Complacency is sometimes evidenced when someone stops attending church or reading God’s Word because they think “they are fine.” They compare themselves with ungodly people around them and convince themselves that they are on the right track.

 

The next step is confusion. They stop seeing their sin for what it is and begin to rationalize. Some try to fix their problems their own way and don’t see the need to seek spiritual counsel or advice. They believe they know enough to get through the situation on their own.

 

The last step is compromise. They go back to the sin that “so easily beset them” before. Soon after, hurt or hatred returns, and feelings of depression follow as they feel they have failed. They feel that the struggle is too great for them, and hence they stop trying to live a victorious Christian life.

 

Do you find yourself on any of these steps to regression? Have you become complacent, confused, or have you compromised? There is victory in this Christian life through the Lord, and the victory is found in not giving up the fight! Seek His face and ask Him to help you stay on the road to spiritual recovery!

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