Do
you have a friend who is struggling with an addiction of some kind?
Maybe you don’t believe you can help him experience freedom, but you
can. You don’t have to be a spiritual giant.
Pray for him and
with him. Intercession on behalf of this person not only gives you
spiritual insight, but builds faith. Pray regarding what you share, and
be sure it is confirmed by or does not violate Scripture.
Listen to him. Take time to understand what he is saying. Many times we
don’t hear because we are planning what we are going to say next.
Do not judge. If someone confesses to you, do not criticize him.
Realize that he reaches out to you because the Holy Spirit trusts you.
Keep his confession confidential. Whatever he reveals, don’t tell others. Treat his confidence as a sacred trust.
Encourage. Never forget to remind him that there is deliverance and healing in Christ.
Persevere. Don’t give up. Believe in him when he is at his lowest.
Don’t allow him to isolate himself from other believers because of his
addiction.
Share the Word. Assist him in Bible study, and help him discover God’s promises.
Be holy. Keep your own relationship with the Lord pure. If you are not open to the Lord’s correction, you cannot help him.
“Remember this,” James affirms. “Whoever turns a sinner from the error
of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins”
(James 5:20). When you share the heart of Jesus, the Lord does the
miraculous. Not only will the Lord save a person lost in sin from
spiritual death, but Christ’s forgiveness for your own failures will
take on an incredibly deeper meaning. Remember that the grace of Christ
is more than sufficient to meet the challenge (II Corinthians 12:9).
Do not judge. If someone confesses to you, do not criticize him. Realize that he reaches out to you because the Holy Spirit trusts you.
Keep his confession confidential. Whatever he reveals, don’t tell others. Treat his confidence as a sacred trust.
Encourage. Never forget to remind him that there is deliverance and healing in Christ.
Persevere. Don’t give up. Believe in him when he is at his lowest. Don’t allow him to isolate himself from other believers because of his addiction.
Share the Word. Assist him in Bible study, and help him discover God’s promises.
Be holy. Keep your own relationship with the Lord pure. If you are not open to the Lord’s correction, you cannot help him.
“Remember this,” James affirms. “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (James 5:20). When you share the heart of Jesus, the Lord does the miraculous. Not only will the Lord save a person lost in sin from spiritual death, but Christ’s forgiveness for your own failures will take on an incredibly deeper meaning. Remember that the grace of Christ is more than sufficient to meet the challenge (II Corinthians 12:9).
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