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Core Christianity: Tough Questions Answered

Is It Possible to Struggle with Addiction and Be a True Christian?

aired August 8, 2019

Episode 244 Show Notes 

Is It Possible to Struggle with Addiction and Be a True Christian?

From the Show

Can true Christians struggle with addictions?

Addiction struggles are part of that internal warfare between the new-man and the old-man between the new creation and the old creation in us. Regeneration doesn't end that struggle, but the good news of the Gospel is that we can have relief through the saving work of Jesus Christ. We have new motivation to struggle against addiction knowing that Christ has gained the victory over the guilt. A lot of addictions- and non-Christian psychologists will tell you this, that addictions, at their very heart, have a mechanism of guilt that keeps people bound to them. ‘I'll never get out of this, I'm helpless, I'm worthless,’ And the gospel sweeps in and says, ‘No, you're not worthless. Your righteousness before God may be worthless but so is mine. He clothes us in His perfect righteousness. You're created in the image of God. You are fallen from that image, like all of us, and therefore, you are both a victim and victimizer, both sinner and sinned against, but you're also holy and redeemed in Jesus Christ, but not yet complete and one day you will be raised bodily and completely free.’ That's what we tell people struggling with addiction…We're all struggling with addictions, call them temptations, call them sins, sinful behaviors and patterns…and is it consistent with being a Christian? No, but is it something Christians fight against constantly? Absolutely. Until we die. — Michael Horton

Questions in this Episode

1. How do I know that Jesus is real?

2. What do you think about the state of our culture and how Christians should think about it?

3. Psalm 111.9 says, “He sent redemption unto his people. He hath commanded his covenant forever. Holy and reverend is his name.” If God's name is reverend, why is it okay to use reverend in front of a man’s name like reverend so and so at church?

4. Is it possible to struggle with addiction and be a true Christian?

5. What does it mean to be saved? I’m confused by the past, present and future language of being saved in the Bible.

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