Part 1: Video Lesson
After watching the video, what do you believe about addiction? Is your addiction so powerful that you cannot overcome it, or do you have the power to stop? Try answering some questions based on the video…
Part 2: Questions
Results
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#1. What is more powerful than addiction?
#2. One of the main causes of addiction is?
#3. True or False: "I can overcome my addiction."
Part 3: Discussion
In this lesson, we learned that the human will is more powerful than addiction. What do we mean by the “human will?” Are we talking about “will-power?” The answer is no. In fact, the Bible warns against dependence on will-power. It says, “Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.” (Colossians 2:23) “Will worship” means giving great honor and placing confidence in the human will. The Bible forbids this type of thing. Instead, we should trust in God!
When we say that the human will is powerful, we mean that the ability to make decisions based on beliefs is a powerful thing! It is not the same thing as will-power, which is simply a determination to do or not do something (like stopping a bad habit). Usually, addiction has nothing to do with will-power. It is a driving force inside us that makes us give in to something we know harms us.
The important thing is to have new, helpful beliefs and make good decisions based on them. Here are some examples:
- Will-power: “I am determined to quit smoking, and I haven’t had a cigarette in six weeks! I am proud of myself. I am a strong person.” This type of determination may be helpful in the short-term, but a radical change of mind will be needed for long-term change.
- Incorrect beliefs: “Smoking is the best solution for my anxiety. When I have anxiety, I have to smoke.”
- Correct beliefs, correct decisions (proper use of human will.): “Smoking is one solution to anxiety, but it harms my health. I do not have to smoke. There are other, more positive solutions to my anxiety. I will work to find those solutions and quit smoking because it will not help me in the long-term.” This is an example of replacing old beliefs with new and better ones. A decision is made to change based on these new beliefs.
Part 4: Download
Below, you can download a daily log to discover the day of the week and time of day when the temptation to give in to your addiction is the most powerful. This can help you to begin to manage and overcome your addiction.