Self – destructive behaviors destroy men, women, children,
relationships, jobs, hopes and dreams.
In the hit tune Crack Killed Apple Jack, a star football player Apple
Jack Lewis becomes addicted to crack cocaine.
He became slave to the drug so much he began to sell use of his body for
sex to pay for his habit until it killed him.
He died young on the side of the road dressed in drag. His last words were, “I am Apple Jack Lewis,
I want to go home.”
The 12 Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous created by men
who suffered the self - destructive effects of alcoholism has saved the lives
of men and women all over the Earth.
Program creators reached the point in their lives where they realized
their relationship to alcohol was killing them and their relationships. They sought a path to personal recovery that
would work for them and others caught up in the addiction and disease of
alcoholism. The 12 Step Approach has proven effective in the treatment of drug,
gambling, sexual, over eating, and other addictions.
Step 1 of the 12 Steps says, “We admitted we were powerless
over alcohol, sex, food, drugs, gambling, anger, and other self –destructive
behavior), [sin] and that our lives had become unmanageable.” Powerlessness and unmanageability are the
standout character defects addressed in Step 1.
Persons affected by alcohol addiction have no power when it
comes to drinking. They must drink and
have no control over their subsequent unmanageable behavior. Addicted men and women spend their thoughts,
money, and time on drinking.
Irresponsible behavior follows. Driving under the influence citations prompts
the loss of driving privileges.
Accidents while driving drunk cause loss of life. Engaging in risky sexual behavior unprotected is common. Families suffer drunken domestic
violence. Job performance precipitates
loss of work and income. The downward
spiral only ends when there is nothing left to lose and sufferers hit bottom.
Hitting bottom is a wake-up call. This is the moment dramatic changes in
behavior must take place to survive as an individual to salvage person and
relationships. The desire to live to
restore personal life and relationships becomes priority number one. This is the moment sufferers seek help.
The biblical text that most speaks to the condition of
powerlessness and unmanageability is written by the Apostolic Emissary Paul in
Romans Chapter 7 vss 19 and 24a. He
speaks of the condition of being human as one of powerlessness and unmanageability
when he says, “For the good that I would do, I do not do it: but the evil which
I am confident that I would never do, I find myself doing. O what a wretched
man, I am. I am no good. Who shall
deliver me from this living death?
Explore more Step 1 on this week’s edition of the Teaching
Ministry of New Eden YouTube Channel. Learn how to apply
Step 1 to begin recovery to relationship with God, self and others. This will bless you and others you share the
ministry of love.
Blessings in Jesus’ Name,
Oscar
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