--A message from Jesus about addictions

Alcohol affects different people in different ways. It makes some people happy, uninhibited, or relaxed, but it makes others irritable, nervous, angry, solemn, depressed, or withdrawn.

When drunk in moderation, wine has a number of benefits. It can give a light, joyful feeling and brighten the countenance. It even has medicinal qualities that can relieve indigestion and bring rest and relaxation. But when drunk in excess, it can be a destructive tool of the Devil to adversely influence one’s spirit, thoughts, and actions, and alter the personality—and it can become an addiction.

Those who depend on alcohol or any other substance for happiness and peace of mind are being deceived. The peace and happiness that alcohol gives are temporary and shallow, because no physical agent—be it alcohol, drugs, or anything else—can satisfy the needs of the spirit. Only I can truly meet those needs. In Me, those who are receptive to the truth find genuine, lasting happiness and peace.

You may feel happy and relaxed after one or two drinks or one or two pills, but if you find you can’t be that way without those things, then you are in danger of becoming dependent on them. You may say, “Well, if it makes my problems easier to bear, or helps me to carry on with my work for the day in a better spirit, or makes me easier to get along with, then why shouldn’t I have it? Why is it wrong?” It’s wrong because of the dangers it can lead to if not kept in check. It may seem innocent enough at first and you may feel you can keep it under control, but if you become dependent on that drink or drug, it will eventually take a toll on you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Those who have made the mistake of turning to alcohol or drugs can tell you of the dangers. They can tell you how their dependence led to sorrow and heartbreak and mistake upon mistake. They can tell you how it led to broken lives and broken relationships. They can tell you how it made it impossible for them to cope with their work and other situations. They can tell you of the depths to which they sank, until finally they had nothing else to lean on and no one else to turn to but Me.

But those who did turn to Me when they hit rock bottom can also tell you of My unfailing love and power to deliver, no matter how serious or longstanding their problem. I am the one sure cure for all your problems, including all forms of substance abuse. If you truly want to be delivered and are willing to do your part, I can and will deliver you. By My Spirit, I can override any physical addiction, and I have for tens of thousands—often with few or no withdrawal symptoms.

I gave My life for you. If I loved you that much, how could I ever fail you when you turn to Me for help? I cannot and will not fail, but you must put your trust in Me. You must look to Me for the solutions to your problems, including this one. If you truly want a new start, here’s your opportunity! The door is wide open—walk right through!

I cannot and will not fail, but you must put your trust in Me.

Like I give you salvation, I can give you deliverance from a physical addiction as an outright gift. You don’t get it because you deserve it, and you couldn’t pay for it at any price; only I could do that. The gift is waiting for you, but I can’t force it on you. You must make a conscious decision and reach out to receive it. You must pray, “Jesus, this problem is too big for me, but I believe it’s not too big for You because You say so. Deliver me now, this instant, and continue to deliver me from every temptation as it comes in the hours and days and weeks ahead, according to Your promises. Amen.”

Ask and it’s done! But unlike salvation, you can lose your victory over your addiction by surrendering to temptation—and strong temptation will come, especially at first. When the Devil sees that you have turned to Me and put your will on My side, he will tempt you all the more. When that happens, you must call on Me again for help. If he tempts you a thousand times, call on Me a thousand times to deliver you and a thousand times I will. You’re not strong enough to fight the Devil on your own, but together we can drive him and his temptations far from you.

Moment by moment and temptation by temptation pray, “Jesus, fight for me! Help me through this next minute, this next hour! Override the uncontrollable craving I’m feeling by Your power, and ease the tension and pain. Fill my heart and mind with positive thoughts from Your Word. You promised to deliver me from this addiction and give me something better, and I hold You to that promise now!”

Then open your Bible or other faith-building literature that extols Me and My power, and start reading. I will open your eyes to its truths, and thrill you through and through. I will help you through that moment of temptation and you will be stronger for it. I can’t promise how quickly the final victory will come, but I can promise that I will never fail you and that it will get easier over time.

I hold within My hands the power to restore your life as you turn to Me, yield to My Spirit, trust Me to do what you can’t do, and hang on to My promises with unwavering determination. I can yet make something beautiful of your life as you let Me pour My Spirit over you and cover you with My love. I can make you whole in body, mind, and spirit as you read and soak up the truth of My Word.

There is no stopping place with Me, no limit to what I can do for you! All you have to do is hold on to Me by faith. Set your heart and mind and affections on Me and My Word, and I will make your life brand new.

You have to believe that I am in control of your life, and trust that I will not fail. You will face other temptations, but they are only temporary and can easily be swept away by calling on Me and My power to deliver. “Jesus, I need You now! Deliver me from this temptation and give me something better—more of Your love, more of Your Spirit, more truth from Your Word!”

As you continue to trust Me and follow My Word as closely as you can, I will lead you down a new path filled with new beauties, new experiences, and new joy—places where the old man who relied on the bottle or drugs could never go!