Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as “AA,” is a worldwide movement that attempts to help alcoholics break free from their addiction to drinking. One of the first things AA leaders tell those who “can’t lay off the sauce” is that they have to come to the end of themselves. In order to break free from their addiction, they have to admit that they are powerless to stop—no matter how hard they try.
Some have felt uncomfortable with this aspect of AA’s approach because they believe it downplays personal responsibility. But that’s not the point. AA is rightly emphasizing that a person can’t get free from the addiction through self-effort.
This is precisely one of the points Paul was conveying when he wrote of his personal struggles with his sin nature. In his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul described himself as a “slave to sin” (Romans 7:14). He wrote, “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway” (Romans 7:19).
Paul had a big problem with sin, something we can all relate to. We have the issue. But the apostle doesn’t seem to tell us how to deal with it—a reality that can leave us feeling confused and frustrated.
But that’s his point! No matter how hard we try, we can’t get out of it on our own. We need Jesus! He’s the only one who can free us from sins that dominate us (Romans 7:24-25).
Do you have an addiction or obsession that is taking over your life? Stop trying so hard to get free. Surrender! Wave the white flag and admit defeat. Then run to the only One who can meet your need—Jesus.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 5:1-47
More:
Read 2 Corinthians 12:9 and consider what it says about our weakness and the power of God’s grace.
Next:
Do you view God as “condemning” or as “merciful”? Why? What does it mean for you to know that you are a new person in Christ? (2 Corinthians 5:17).
tom felten on June 26, 2013 at 8:47 am
Jeff, I’m so grateful that in the very next chapter of Romans we find hope in the reality that believers in Jesus have the Holy Spirit actively working with us (Romans 8:1-11). As we yield the Spirit’s leading and power, we can be freed from our addiction, our sins, our spiritual bondage.
askbeloved on June 26, 2013 at 9:23 am
Only Jesus can heal perfectly!
cdkanas on June 26, 2013 at 10:49 am
And herein lies the root of all sin, do we “want” Jesus to fight that sin. Sin really has two levels,
1. The action
2. The desire to be free from the action
winn collier on July 3, 2013 at 5:38 pm
Lately, I’ve been thinking of this in terms of the difference between passivity and participation. Maybe that’s a helpful way to see it, maybe not.
tom felten on June 27, 2013 at 10:07 am
Thanks so much for sharing, clee. All of us struggle in different ways, some with addictions and some with other challenges of life in a fallen world. But, yes, praise God that we have Him to help, hold, and guide us. God is greater than anything we face: Romans 8:35-39.