Addiction as Identity

19-24 (Young Adult) Female

"I'll always be an addict - that's just who I am now."

LIE: I'll always be an addict. TRUTH: You're a new creation - old things PASSED AWAY (2 Cor 5:17).

See Truth 2 Corinthians 5:17

25-29 (Late Twenties) Female

"I'm powerless over my addiction. I'll never have control; I can only manage it daily."

LIE: I'm powerless. TRUTH: I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)

See Truth Philippians 4:13

30-39 (Thirties) Male

"One slip means I'm back to zero. All my progress is gone and I have to start counting days over."

LIE: One slip = back to zero. TRUTH: There is NO condemnation in Christ. Your righteousness isn't a streak. Rom 8:1

See Truth Romans 8:1

70-79 (Seventies) Female

"I'm powerless over my addiction - I'll never have real authority or control over my life."

LIE: I'm powerless forever. TRUTH: All things through Christ strengthening me (Phil 4:13)

See Truth Philippians 4:13

60-69 (Sixties) Female

"I've been sober so long, but I'm just white-knuckling it. Real freedom isn't possible."

LIE: Just white-knuckling sobriety. TRUTH: If the Son makes you free, you're FREE INDEED (Jn 8:36). Rest, not striving.

See Truth John 8:36

40-49 (Forties) Male

"I'm an addict—that's who I am. I'll always be in recovery, never truly free."

LIE: I'm an addict forever. TRUTH: You're a new creation—old passed away, all things NEW (2 Cor 5:17). Not recovering,...

See Truth 2 Corinthians 5:17

90+ (Nineties Plus) Female

"I have a disease I can't cure - I'm sick forever."

LIE: Incurable disease forever. TRUTH: By His stripes you WERE healed - past tense, finished! (1 Pet 2:24)

See Truth 1 Peter 2:24

30-39 (Thirties) Male

"If I tell people I'm free, I'm being arrogant and setting myself up for a fall. Humility means calli..."

LIE: Claiming freedom is pride. TRUTH: You HAVE life in Christ—declaring truth isn't arrogance. 1 John 5:11-12

See Truth 1 John 5:11-12

40-49 (Forties) Male

"My family will never trust me again. I've broken too many promises."

LIE: Family will never trust me. TRUTH: God does a NEW thing NOW, springs forth instantly (Isa 43:18-19). Prodigal got I...

See Truth Isaiah 43:18-19

90+ (Nineties Plus) Female

"Once an addict, always an addict - I'll never be fully free."

LIE: Once an addict, always an addict. TRUTH: If the Son sets you free, you're free INDEED - completely! (John 8:36)

See Truth John 8:36

80-89 (Eighties) Male

"I need to keep working the steps forever or I'll fall apart."

LIE: I need the program forever. TRUTH: You're perfected by the Spirit, not steps. Gal 3:3

See Truth Galatians 3:3

13-15 (Early Teen) Female

"I destroyed my body—I'll never be healthy or whole again."

LIE: Body destroyed forever. TRUTH: God RESTORES health and HEALS wounds (Jer 30:17).

See Truth Jeremiah 30:17

13-15 (Early Teen) Male

"Relapse is part of recovery - I should expect it"

LIE: Relapse is part of recovery. TRUTH: God ALWAYS provides escape - expect victory not defeat. (1 Cor 10:13)

See Truth 1 Corinthians 10:13

16-18 (Late Teen) Female

"My body is permanently damaged - I've destroyed what God gave me"

LIE: My body is ruined. TRUTH: God gives new heart, restores health completely (Ezek 36:26, 3 John 1:2)

See Truth Ezekiel 36:26

16-18 (Late Teen) Female

"No godly guy will want me once he knows my history"

LIE: No godly guy will want me. TRUTH: You're spotless, chaste virgin in Christ's eyes (Song 4:7, 2 Cor 11:2)

See Truth Song of Solomon 4:7

25-29 (Late Twenties) Male

"If I slip up, all my progress is erased - I'm back to day one."

LIE: Relapse erases everything. TRUTH: There is NO condemnation in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1)

See Truth Romans 8:1

40-49 (Forties) Female

"I'm powerless over this - I have a disease I can't control."

LIE: I'm powerless forever. TRUTH: I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). HIS power in you, ...

See Truth Philippians 4:13

70-79 (Seventies) Male

"Real men don't struggle with addiction. I'm weak, a failure as a man, a disgrace to my family."

LIE: Real men don't struggle. TRUTH: God's strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor 12:9)

See Truth 2 Corinthians 12:9

70-79 (Seventies) Female

"One slip means I'm back to zero - all my years of sobriety erased instantly."

LIE: One slip erases everything. TRUTH: No condemnation in Christ - ever (Rom 8:1)

See Truth Romans 8:1

60-69 (Sixties) Female

"I've hurt too many people. The damage I caused is irreversible and unforgivable."

LIE: Hurt too many, unforgivable. TRUTH: He forgives ALL unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9). Scarlet sins made WHITE (Isa 1:18)!

See Truth 1 John 1:9