Dr. Mark E. Shaw teaches on Temptation from James 1. Addiction counseling is about a sinful heart desire, not a disease that overtakes a person. "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)
"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." (James 1:13-14)
Each person's desires are different according to their preferences. Is alcohol the problem? No, the Word tells us it's our own heart desire.
"Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." (James 1:15-18)
AW Tozer Quote: "The widest thing in the universe is not space; it is the potential capacity of the human heart...." (AW Tozer's The Root of Righteousness, p.63)
11:05 About the sad last day of John Belushi's life.
There is hope in Christ Jesus and nothing else. Death is closer than when we think. Find more training through The Addiction Connection's wide selection of video and audio courses here: https://www.theaddictionconnection.org/addiction-counselor-training/
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:16-17)
Dr. Mark E. Shaw is the Founder of The Addiction Connection and serves his local church as the Director of Counseling at Grace Fellowship Church in Florence Kentucky. Join us there for The Addiction Connection's 2021 Leadership Summit.
[1] Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one-half of any book of the ESV Bible.
