Living as a New Person in Christ
Wanting to live life free from addiction motivates change, but it’s your new identity that sustains it. The power of the Holy Spirit is the positive energy you needed to move you through the change process so your hope of a "new normal" lifestyle becomes a reality. The Apostle Paul explains that when you feed on God's Word, you learn to walk in love which refocuses your perspective, attitude and behavior in relationship to both God and man; D(A+B)=C ,
C = E (Luke 10:27, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Philippians 1:9-11, Colossians 2:6-7). Christ’s Spirit of love working through you, expressed to others, is the key to maintaining your recovery and promoting harmony (Romans 6:10-11, 1 Corinthians 1:10).
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Read Romans 12:3, James 3:1-8, Romans 14:20-21, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, John 10:10 for further reasoning on being a new creature in Christ.
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For an in-depth look, read a summary of Romans 8 @ https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/romans-8/
Scriptures like "Ask, and it will be given to you" or "bless those that persecute you" are attainable when looked at through the character of and the will of God, your value of His love, and your willingness to please Him above yourself (Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 7:7, Romans 12:14-21). A heart of love for God is the motive that will change your prayers, habits and interpersonal skills (1 John 5:14-15, John 13:35, Luke 6:31, Galatians 6:2, and
https://www.gotquestions.org/law-of-Christ.html).
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Read more about how the power of Christ through you ShinE s in Appendix 2U.
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Read more on habits @ https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-habits.html.
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Apply it When the Going Gets Tough!
Speak the truth of God in love, or if you can’t find the words, show the love of God by using self-restraint. This sounds easy to do, but it’s not like flipping a switch that’ll turn your emotions off. It’s more like gathering up your negative energy and using it to fuel your efforts to remain Christian. Protect yourself from the responses of others who resort to attacking your self-worth to keep theirs' which causes you emotional pain that might push your personality (attitude and behavior) back into your old comfort zone.
Don’t fall victim to the self-driven feedback of others but ground yourself in the Word and let frivolous comments drop off when they hit your shield of faith. As Paul says in Ephesians 6:14, “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness so you remain confident and steadfast in your loyalty to God (1 Peter 1:21, Hebrews 13:6, 10:35-36, Psalm 27:13-14, Proverbs 3:26, 2 Chronicles 32:8, Ephesians 6:12-18). Your example of righteousness in an uncomfortable interpersonal exchange brings you the peace of Cognitive Consistency as you show others what faith looks like by your ability to remain calm, quiet and confident, whatever the immediate outcome (Psalm 37:5). “... blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence” (Jeremiah 17:7 NLT).
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Does the knowledge of God change your behavior or just fill your head?
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Are you held hostage by emotion?
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For more on how to use your Christianity to heal emotionally, read https://www.gotquestions.org/emotional-healing.html.
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Reread the section on "Avoid the Trap of Self-protection" in the "Art of Self Mastery".
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Reread Appendix 1L and do the bible study questions in Section 3 (Capture your Vision) on "Pleasing or Grieving the Holy Spirit".