Addictions, part 3

Pew2You

March 3, 2019

Addictions III

Pastor Phil Vance

1. Highlights:

   • God gives us the grace to work through pain not run from pain.

   • Repeated actions create neuropathways in our brain. So changing an addiction is not as easy as saying no. We have to re-route the chemical process in the brain.

   • Re-routing the chemical process includes the following steps.

     • Say no

     • Get Help – Accountability

     • Set up a roadblock

     • Repeat and create a new habit.

   • The Brain is plastic and can be changed moment by moment by how we direct our thinking.

   • What you think is critical to who you are or who you want to be.

   • You can’t control the events and circumstances of life, but you can control your reaction to those events and circumstances.

   • Jesus paid the price for every addiction and its release from our life.

• Discussion Questions:

  • Can you identify the “triggers” that send you down a neuropathway which leads to an action you don’t want to do?

  • If you are able to identify any unhealthy neuropathways, what are some roadblocks you can create to help you create new healthy pathways?

  • What are some healthy spiritual habits you can integrate into your day to day life so that you can create good habits to renew your mind.

• Key Scriptures, Quotes and Definitions

  • Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

  • Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

  • 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

  • Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

  • Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

  • 2 Timothy 1:7 “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.”