Truth Vs. Willpower

Truth Vs. Willpower

^{JN 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

There are two ways to quit an addiction. One way is by sheer willpower, and the other way is by a
revelation of God's truth. Sometimes things just get so bad and the pressure so great that we realize that the pain of not
quitting exceeds the pain of quitting, so we swear off our addiction and just white knuckle it to stay free. The other way
to quit is by God giving us insight as to the roots of our addiction and why it is so critical for us to quit and come into
full alignment with the truth of His laws of creation.

If you quit by willpower alone it is likely that you will just go back to your addiction once the
pain and pressure diminish and the cycle of quitting and relapse just goes on and on for the rest of our lives. If you quit
based on truth then when you are tempted to go back to the lie of your addiction, you can then just remind yourself of the
truth of what God has shown you, and you will just refuse it and press on. You can see why it is so important to have a foundation
of truth to quit on, rather than just by willpower.

JN 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

So what do I really mean by quitting with truth? When you read in the bible about a certain type of
addiction and how God tells us not to do it and what the consequences will be if we do, you can then refer to it when you
are tempted to go back. It is much easier to stop doing something the wrong way, when God shows you how to do it the right
way. Willpower alone will never be enough to keep us free. Allow God to build a foundation of truth in you to not only temporarily
abstain, but to live free permanently.

1PE 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the
grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when
you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy,
because I am holy."}