Breaking Free

The following is a summary of David Powlison’s presentation, “Escape to Reality.” David is a counselor and faculty member at CCEF and an adjunct professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. He is the author of “Breaking Pornography Addiction,” Pornography: Slaying the Dragon, Renewing Marital Intimacy, Seeing with New Eyes, a host of other books related to biblical counseling.

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“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” (I Corinthians 10:13-14)

The themes covered in this conference can be summarized in these two verses. The commonalities of sin and each persons sinful condition has been explored in depth. We know that we are all in the same battle. We also have seen that God has made provisions for us and that we can have a hope that he will remain faithful to us till the end of this age. We can also have hope in what is to come.

Powlison’s session focused on the later part of the verse: “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” Individuals struggling with addictions begin to see other people as objects, threats, or a source of gratification. People become unreal. The reason people become unreal is because God has become unreal. How is this remedied? The following is a summary of ten practical applications.

1.) A call to wake up!

a. Wake up to who you are. In this world we are either awake and spiritually sober, or you are asleep, foolish, and drunk. Honestly take a look at who you are and stop lying to yourself.
b. Awaken to what is going on in the world. Live with the awareness of the fragility of human life and this temporal world.
c. Wake up to what God has to offer. You need God and what he has to offer.

2.) A call to own up!

a. What is wrong exactly? Be honest with yourself and own up to what specifically is going on in your life. Stop being elusive or vague about your problem and own up to your condition.
b. Stop making excuses and admit that you do wrong because that is what you choose.
c. Own up to the fact that your sin is serious, and it is a serious offense before God.

3.) Intercept the death spiral!

a. Sin drives us into ourselves. Life becomes all about me. Guilt, likewise, also drives us into ourselves. We wallow in misery and failure. Jesus calls us to be focused externally. We must focus on Him to intercept this death spiral and come out of it.
b. Begin talking out loud about your issues. As we talk it helps us to clear our heads and see what is true. God hears our words and he invites us into a conversation with him.

4.) Ask for help!

a. Open yourself up to trusted friends. Make your problems public so you and others can see the addiction for what it is. Allow others to speak truth to you.
b. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16)

5.) Ask for forgiveness!

a. You have hurt people and neglected to love them, so you need to learn to ask for forgiveness.
b. Learn how to apologize correctly. Name your wrong, name what sin you have committed, express remorse, and ask for forgiveness.

6.) Forgive others!

a. Grapple with the wrongs others have committed against you and forgive them. Know that the Bible tells us that any other alternative to forgiveness is evil.
b. Even when reconciliation is not possible because of death or lack of remorse and repentance, you must have an attitude of forgiveness.

7.) Rethink the problem of pain!

Addictions are like a refuge from pain, trouble, disappointment, and betrayal. Rethink your how you take refuge in your addictive patterns. Learn to take refuge in God!
b. God promises that hard times will come, but God is the rock that will bring you through them (Jeremiah 17).

8.) Rethink pleasure!

a. In our culture we chase after workaholisim resulting in stress, and then we endulge in shallow self-destructive pleasure. Rethink recreation and how pleasure is experienced. Learn what it means to take pleasure in God.

9.) Correct your expectations!

a. Right expectations of the process of change is imperative for being hopeful idealists.
b. Know that even when you have broken free of an addiction, sin will return in other forms while we are on this earth.
c. We need to have a vision of genuine growth as well as ongoing failure. Rejoice and be encouraged in areas of growth. But, continue to be aware of the indwelling of sin and how it is manifested in our lives.

10.) Don’t Fight – Build!

a. Fill the room with light and there is less room for darkness. We need to squeeze out sin by filling our lives with things that are good and pure.
b. Why go to the nuclear winter when God has brought us to the garden? As we look honestly at our sin and see it as wicked and contemptible thing the addiction will lose its charm and allure.