1. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15)

2. “Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance”; “the condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something.” Controllable?Controllable?Victim?Victim? Accountability ? Deut 30:19- 20 Josh 24:15 Deut 30:19- 20 Josh 24:15 Chosen Behavior (Sin and Good) Free of guilt and shame? 2

3. Cannot cease from sin, 2 Peter 2:14 Eyes full of adultery (cf. Job 31:1) Heart trained in covetous practices Sons of disobedience, Eph 2:1-3 Fulfilling desires of the flesh and the mind Children of wrath by nature (habit, course of conduct) Sin’s enticement and its temporary pleasures can consume a person, Heb 11:25; Jas 1:14 3

4. Sears the conscience, 1 Tim 4:1-2 Hardens the heart, Heb 3:12-13 Makes repentance “impossible”, Heb 6:4-6 Addiction to sin can be overcome in Christ! 1 Jno 4:4; Rom 8:37; Heb 4:12 4

5. Romans 3:15-18 Isaiah 59:7-8 5

6. Sin, left unattended, grows worse and worse, 2 Tim 3:13 Sin’s addiction: Eyes that are set on sin, 2 Pet 2:14; 1 Jno 2:15-16 Lust of the flesh (sensual satisfaction) Lust of the eye (covetousness) Pride of life (self-exaltation) 6

7. Ruled by sin, Rom 6:6, 12, 16; 2 Pet 2:19 Not forced to sin When we choose sin we are enslaved to it Promising freedom, it produces slavery! Alcohol and drugs promise escape without accountability Gambling promises wealth without worries Pornography promises fulfillment without consequences 7

8. 1 John 2:28-29 1 John 3:7-9 8

9. Develop a heart given to doing God’s will, Gal 2:20 Addiction to sin can be broken: Do not let sin rule over you; kill it! Rom 6:6-7; 11-14; Col 3:5-7 Yield yourself to obedience, Rom 6:15-18 Be alert to the dangers of sin, Rom 13:11 9

10. Addiction to sin can be broken: Deliberately choose to stop sinning, Rom 13:12-13 (repent of all sin, 2 Cor 12:21) Put on the Lord, Rom 13:14 Make no provision for the addictive sin Replace evil with good, Rom 12:21, 2 Self-control (mind over body), 1 Cor 9:27; 2 Pet 1:5-6 Prayer, Phil 4:6-7 Obey, trusting God to work, Phil 2:12-13 10

11. Establish an addiction to righteousness, Phil 4:8 Be persuaded by the love of God, Rom 8:38-39 Diligently guard your heart, Prov 4:23 Trust the Lord with all your heart, Prov 3:5-8 11

12. Sin is not forced on us It is possible to refuse sin and to obey righteousness Choose whom you will serve: Sin leading to death Obedience leading to righteousness 12