This series approaches addiction as a non-addict, which you can read more about in the introduction. We started part 1 of this series already, where we spoke about 'being in the light'. Today we are focusing on personalizing issues of addiction.

• PERSONALIZING THE PROBLEM

Personalizing the problem places addiction in a position to focus on you. If we gave the addiction monster a mirror, it would stare right at you. Addiction damages the addict, but now you feel afflicted too. This is what Satan uses the addiction monster for! He is not satisfied with consuming one human, his plan is to ruin us all.

Both God and Satan desire your personal involvement in the addict's battle. Very differently, though.

Simple Breakdown:

Satan wishes for us to...
- Get involved in the battle
- Personally fight the addict's battle
- Fight the addict (instead of the addiction) as our battle
- Use weapons of war

God requires us to...
- Get involved in the battle
- Prepare the addict's ammunition
- Let the addict fight their own battle
- Use weapons of spiritual warfare

Significant Details:

How we engage in battle is our choice. This is most important to understand. The decision we make determines our future attitude and responses. Will we do what God wants, or cave in to Satan's scheme? This is our starting point.

If we choose to yield to Satan, the addiction monster will win every time. He would let us fight for evil. The addict would be our monster because Satan would deceive our eyes. We would lose sight of Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]." Satan is pleased keeping us against each other, instead of against his wickedness. 

As a Christian, we should not be encouraging the addiction. We should be encouraging the addict. This makes the caregiver responsibility that many take on void. It's void because you are fighting the battle for them. Giving an addict money, transportation, or any means to feed their addiction continues their behavior. It does not advise the addict to stop. Providing addicts with access is wrong. Let someone else do it, but never compromise your beliefs.

Note: I personally experience the guilt that comes with refusal to give in, just as I have experienced the shame and embarrassment that comes with giving into addiction needs. It feels harsh, but it is right. 

If we choose to surrender to God, we will be victorious over the addiction monster. The monster will not be able to negatively sway your light-shining influence. We keep our light when we walk with Jesus, so Satan can not bring us into darkness. Light exposes itself: we need not tamper with it when it's present, but we must walk with Jesus in order to receive any light.

This is what victory looks like | 1 John 3:8 "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." We can destroy this monster by reacting with the life that Jesus provides.

In order for the addict to fight their battle, we need to equip them with the right tools. Practical, earthly materials, like recovery rehabs and support groups, have their time and place. Yet there is more that's needed to conquer a spiritual power.

Our spiritual weapons are all the more necessary. Ephesians 6:14-18 | "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."