Obtaining Victory Over Sin - NetBibleStudy.com

Victory Over Sin 84What Happened?Jerry G. Dunn, a former alcoholic discovered a cycle among alcoholics. Hecaptured this concept in a book entitled, “God Is for the Alcoholic.” It appears that thiscycle is the experience, in one form or another, for all of us from time to time.Dunn did a lot of praying and thinking, wondering why alcoholics would quitdrinking, go into a period of abstinence, and then return to drinking again. God gavehim insight into this problem, that was when he became aware of the cycle. Dunn saysthat, in his studies, that it might take a week, a month, or even years to complete thecycle.THE CYCLE1. Hatred for the SinFirst, the alcoholic desires never to take another drink. He’s “had it.” Neveragain will he make a fool of himself --- waking up in a strange room, not knowing howhe got there. Just remembering the humiliation of the past keeps him sober for a while.Such a feeling is usually the first step toward freedom from any sin. We GETtired of gaining weight, blowing our stack, (or whatever our problem might be). Webecome so weary of failure that we begin to seek a way of deliverance. Many Christianshaven’t come this far yet! They are not fed up with their sin, yet some of the moreobnoxious habits may go, but not the subtle ones! Some sinful habits are still tooattractive to discard completely. As we’ve already stressed, God wants us to desirevictory for reasons other than personal fulfillment. But usually, our quest for freedombegins with a healthy disgust for our failures.2. Pride in AccomplishmentsSecond, Dunn noticed that alcoholics begin to take pride in their sobriety. Theysay something like, “You know, I haven’t had a drink in three weeks.” The alcoholic beginsto feel better – he might even get his job back and regain the respect of his children.Soon he begins to have a superior attitude when watching his friends drink. He thinksto himself, “I’d never act that foolishly again, thank God.” Yet it is difficult for him to avoidthe constant bombardment of alcohol. Social drinking is accepted, and his friends invitehim to join. He is still proud of his abstinence and yet fears that he just might slip backinto his former habit. Dunn says, “This is the area we call `a dry drunk.’ This man hasreached the place where he has to fight against taking another drink. He is disgusted with peoplewho drink. He can’t stand the smell of liquor. He becomes irritable and anyone’s suggestion thathe take another drink becomes a personal insult.”But after enduring the struggle for some time, the alcoholic begins to think hehas solved the problems that have caused his addiction. He feels better physically andmentally. Perhaps he has even begun to attend church, so he thinks his spiritual life isin order. He breathes a sigh of relief. At last, everything will be all right.