ADDICTION DEFINITION AND HYPOTHESIS

---

By Synthia Esther

Hypothesis: Addiction is an external response to an internal need, activated by free will.

Biblical definition of Addiction: James 1:13-15, “When tempted, no one should say 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone, (14) but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. (15) Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to death.”

Addiction is an uncontrollable need, obsessive desire, oppressive-escalating craving, seeking and use of a substance such as a drug or alcohol, or an activity you may compulsively indulge in, despite negative consequences. Examples include but are not limited to; alcohol, drugs, eating, gambling, gaming, cutting or sex. The mood altering latter stages of addiction produce a neurobiological long lasting chemical change within the brain.

Shifting from one addictive behavior to another also shifts neuropathway patterns.

 I call the addicts denial mentality, "The Blind Mind". In his book, “Don't call it love, Recovery From Sexual Addiction,” Dr. Patrick Carnes explains; "Addictive obsession can exist in whatever generates significant mood alteration, whether it be the comfort of cutting or food, the thrill of gambling, or the excitement of sexual arousal." These maladaptive self medicating behaviors are the addicts attempt to ease past and current pain. The real source of the problem lies hidden behind the behavior manifestations.

In the year 2000, two drafts of the human genome were published and made news around the Globe. The Human Genome Project has and will continue to advance our understanding of genes and suggest preventive and therapeutic strategies for many diseases. The thirteen year project coordinated by the U.S.Department of Energy and the National Institute of Health was completed in its original mission in 2003. Presently, hereditary genes have been shown to contribute to the novelty seeking personality trait, which is a major contributing factor in the addiction process. Most recent studies have indicated genes account for 30-70 percent of our hereditary linkage and total variation.

For instance, inbred lines of mice and rats have been created that will press levers to administer drugs to themselves or seek -out environments previously associated with the presence of addictive substances. Research has been done on mice engineered that lack certain genes, thereby demonstrating the importance of these genes in the addictive process. It should now be possible to create mice carrying the genes implicated in human drug addiction as well as mice bred to alter the expression of drug receptor genes and observe the effects on addictive behaviors.

It is a known fact that animals can be bred for aggressiveness. One such example is the Pit Bull Dog. Finnish psychologist Kristi Lagerspetz (1979) took normal albino mice and bred the most aggressive ones together and the least aggressive ones. After repeating the procedure for 26 generations, she had one set of fierce mice and one set of placid mice. Dr. Patrick Carnes in his book, “Don't call it love, Recovery From Sexual Addiction,” further reports evidence of experimental rats who were habituated to morphine or heroin and would go through much pain in order to obtain more. 

However, when the pleasure centers of their brain were stimulated releasing endorphins, rats would go through even more pain and suffering than they would for morphine or heroin. Sex creates this same form of naturally occurring peptides such as endorphins which govern the electrochemical interactions within the brain producing parallel molecular construction of opiates like morphine, but much more powerful (some claim four times stronger than heroin).

The drug of sex addiction creates additional complexities, due to literally carrying your own supply, and having no noticeable physical reactions seen in the context of social interaction.   From a Christian prospective, my hypotheses is;  “Addiction, is an external response to an internal need activated by free will.”  

According to Ronald J. Comer in his fifth edition book,  Abnormal Psychology, "To what extent the environment and genetics play a role in the  temptation towards a lifestyle of addiction is still yet to be discovered.  As one expert put it, 'A gene is a framed canvas upon which the psychological environment paints the person' (Brown,1999).  Every trait, action, and attitude of every living organism has a genetic component: Without genes, no behavior could exist.  But without environment, no gene would be expressed.  Epigenetic theory (the newest developmental theory), emphasizes the interaction of genes and the environment, an interaction that is seen as dynamic and reciprocal (Gottlieb,2003).  Inherited traits are both multi factorial (influenced by many factors, including factors in the environment), and polygenic (affected by many genes).  Almost all traits are the result of interactions among several genes (Hoh&Ott.2003)”

It is our hereditary genes and environmental factors when coupled together make up our personality and behavior.   Together, these processes (nature and nurture), effect us spiritually, biologically and environmentally, producing molecular and cellular changes within the brain.  While we cannot choose our parents and how their genes and parental modeling styles effect us, we can choose how we react and grow spiritually to what we have been given.

I recently went back to college in search of additional educational answers to this question. I do not claim to be an expert, however, I do believe personal experience to be a very good teacher. This is a brief summary based on studies I have done within the last four years. Past documentation and research pointed to the first six years of a child's life as being the most important. Most researchers now claim the first two years of life set the foundation for the child's future. Parents are responsible for both genetics and environment.

During those early formative years, we develop according to conditioned (learned), responses, with attachment bonding being crucial. In their book “High Risk - Children Without a Conscience” Dr. Ken Magid and Carole A. McKelvey write, “The critical factor is bonding. Without effective bonding the infant won't become attached to his or her primary caregiver, the mother and/or father. A growing number of experts now believe this stage in a humans development has much greater significance than previously thought.” Experience shapes the brain for good or ill.

An example of the importance of experience comes from the reactions to stress. The production of stress hormones by the brain is lifelong, but the amount produced relates partly to early experiences (Gunnar&Vasquez, 2001). If too many stress hormones are required early on (for instance, if an infant is terrified or anticipates pain much of the time), then the developing brain loses the capacity to react normally to stress. Stress effects the unborn fetus.

Once again I quote from the book, “Don't call It Love, Recovery From Sexual Addiction,” Dr. Patrick Carnes. He elaborates, "Once born, and the environment continues to be volatile, stressful and abusive, the pattern for neurochemical venerability is set. Once this neurochemical vulnerability is present, deficits are created. These deficits create a neurochemical imbalance which is temporarily relieved by the high a substance and/or activity provides. Thus enabling the individual an opportunity to self medicate, in a desperate attempt to alleviate said deficits. It is the excessive and prolonged use of these highs that alter the neurochemical balance within the brain. Once the imbalance is present, as a controlling factor to maintain feelings of normalcy, the addiction is used to preserve the neurochemical imbalance. 

Over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain the original highs as additional amounts or levels of the drug/activity ( self-medication of choice), are needed to continue to feed and fuel the addiction."

My summary:

“The lack of intimacy bonding and/or attachment, as well as abuse in the addicts early formative years, creates a thirst for a fix to fill their unmet needs of nurture, security, love, affirmation and acceptance. Jesus Christ is the only person who can fill your void and heal your broken heart.”

Families that base their love and acceptance on performance, create anxiety, shame and impossible standards of perfectionism which in turn set the programs for a life conducive, vulnerable and on-going to the temptation of the addiction process. This shame based environment creates conditional love and an open wound within the heart of a child. Their internal message: "You are worthless because you are not perfect!" With parental hypercritical standards that are impossible to achieve, that child grows to become an adult with a huge sore that never healed. This gaping wound desires the healing medication of loving attention, acceptance and affirmation.

It is within these childhood needs, that the cycling pattern of sexual addiction begins. Fathers and mothers actions and attitudes will either bless or hinder their children, with patterns of behavior and self worth that can last a live time (Proverbs 22:6). 

The heart of the child strives to avoid mistakes. If they feel they failed in their parents eyes, and are in constant fear of disapproval, they learn to shut down emotionally. When disapproval occurs the child believes they are unlovable, worthless, fears abandonment, and becomes ashamed. According to most authorities on sexual addiction it is this deeply ingrained shamed based complex that fuels the addiction process. This actuarially describes Ryan's life as a child, raised by a hyper critical mother whom he felt he could never please, and a passive aggressive father who demonstrated in action and deed, that he could care less (reference story, “Foolish Pleasure – The Love Story Of A Sex Addict, His Betrayal, And Crime”).

With core feelings of being unworthy and unlovable, loneliness is inevitable. In their quest for acceptance they turn to their drug of choice to satisfy and fill unmet, unresolved issues within their spirits core. The inner child within the adult has a void for love, care and acceptance that is not based on conditions. They keep the highs of the addiction process going to provide a temporary bandage on their inner turmoil.

Dr. Faye Snyder, a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in trauma therapy and attachment theory, as well as forensic and clinical psychology and author of the Miracle Child Parenting Series, relates how we are raised as children in her work, “Killers are Made, Not Born”. She states, “What we imprint, we repeat. People reveal how they were treated by how they act. What goes in, is what comes out.” 

Dr. Snyder goes onto describe; “morbid and invisible neglect, which may lead to the schizoid personality. It results from minimal social interaction at home and leads into a lack of sentimentality as an adult, due to unmet needs, breaks or wounds, the young child never feels loved, valuable, seen or understood.” Unresolved childhood pain creates a void in the heart and soul of a person. The only one that can truly fill this void is Jesus Christ with his unwavering power of grace, mercy, and love. Addiction holds the user captive. Jesus Christ came to set the captive free!

As a  Christian, I believe as the Bible claims, that God can (and sometimes does), deliver and heal us instantaneously from the bondage of sin and oppression.   

However, God  knows our hearts and if He did so  He knows if that would enable the addict, making it easier to relapse into the same temptation pattern again and again.  Most people would agree, pain often catapults one to change.  If the recovery process was an easy path to follow, we as humans could possibly be on the road one day and off the road the next, as many addicts in recovery prove.   It is the continual, progressive, spiritual and emotional change  that begins to produce  faith in a new belief system.  A belief system that places our Heavenly Father first in life.

With God's love and guidance, our personal worth, integrity, character, spiritual growth, and inner healing is made possible.  Having done the accountable hard work necessary to produce such fruit, looking back becomes the impetus to continue to move forward on the path of spiritual transformation, truth and  love.   In one sentence, "The closer we get to God, the more we know He was there all the time."  No matter what we experienced growing up, we are not a child anymore.  As we humble ourselves before the Lord,  He is always there to lift us up (James 4:10).  

He is a Father who understands and a  Friend who never forsakes us.   We can take our burdens to the Lord and leave them there.

Who would want to go back to hell on Earth when you learn to accept and experience the love of God himself?   I believe God goes with us and before us on the road towards spiritual  progress, but He never walks the road for us.   We each have our cross to bear dependent upon our personal choices in life. 

  Jesus Christ carried his cross and He wants us to carry ours (Mathew 10:38).    He willingly suffered and carried the sins of all humanity on His shoulders.  Isaiah 53:5-8,  “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.  (6)  We all like sheep, have gone astray, each of us had turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the inequity of us all. (7) He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open his mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open his mouth. (8) By oppression and judgment He was taken away,  And who can speak of His descendants? 

For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people He was stricken.”

When we walk the road towards spiritual truth with God as our faithful guide, we are less likely to have to ever walk it again.  Just like a young child who is told the stove is hot, it isn't until he/she experiences the pain of a burn that they  realize what "hot” truly means.   They  also realize that Daddy and Mommy were trying to protect them by repeatedly confirming, “don''t touch, hot, hot, hot!”   Pain can provide the lasting benefit of causing the human mind to understand, react, and remember!  

As Christians, walking the journey becomes a sacred pursuit towards spiritual love, sanctification and acceptance.  Therefore, as you walk the road towards spiritual recovery remember the advice of those who have gone before you.

First, the hereditary cycle of addiction can be reversed by first admitting the problem exists, (you can't change what you don't acknowledge).  

 Secondly, develop symptom provocation techniques by recognizing the triggers, stresses or persons that cause the behaviors or acting out to manifest.  Also called "H.A.L.T." by some 12 step programs, which is an acronym for triggers expressed as hunger, anger, loneliness or being tired.    “ H.A.L.T.”  provides  a short list  towards  recognizing the psychological triggers that each addict may actually have, serving  as an impetus to  acknowledging  feelings/emotions as they occur.

 Thirdly, developing behavior modification techniques in direct response to your emotional and spiritual needs, as well as an immediate Biblical response to temptation.  You have to learn to redirect your thought process “ immediately”  when confronted with temptation by memorizing and quoting scripture.     Maintaining the transforming quest for spirituality and God's truth and love provides a solid foundation.  This third step promotes hope and faith in God's love, and reliance on  His word the Holy Bible,  which is living and active sharper than a two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12-13).   All of which help to develop a life filled with faith, purpose, love, spiritual integrity, and character.

God's word provides a cognitive behavioral transformation by restructuring the thought processes and renewing the mind in a profound, divine way. 2nd Corinthians 10:5, “We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” More than positive thinking, you have to change the way your mind thinks, works and functions. Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praise worthy-think about such things.”

New information and learning skills affect your memory processes and physiologically your brain's neural pathways. This enables you to begin thinking, acting, and feeling differently. The sacred pursuit of God's word provides providential wisdom, understanding, and power. His presence within our heart, mind, and soul, becomes a comforting presence in our lives (Isaiah 43: 2-5). We determine our habits which become ingrained into our mental process. However, it is our habits that ultimately determine our choices in life. When we replace addictive behaviors with the healing power of the word of God, we exchange destructive habits for productive habits. We pray believing God will help us in our powerless condition, and He does. Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. (19) See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Perceive your future of hope by standing on God's promises (Jeremiah 29:11).

Faith without works is dead. You will need to stand firm on making your personal creed that as declared in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Addiction didn't happen over night. It was a gradual day by day snaring process. The road towards recovery is at times difficult and filled with uncertainty. You will be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might (not your own), so that you might have great endurance and patience (Colossians 1:11). 2nd Tim 2:3, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2nd Tim 1: 7, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline”.

Salvation through Jesus Christ is instantaneous. Romans 10:10 , “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” 

Once saved, it is the daily process of reading, praying, and speaking Gods word that will defeat the temptation Satan sends your way. Each day that goes by you become stronger and stronger in God's word, which in turn provides the loving foundation of spiritual truth. Psalm 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:133, “ Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” Psalm 91 and Proverbs chapter 2 and 3 are personal favorites, and have helped me in times of trouble and temptation.

Peter writes: “the Lord knows how to rescue the Godly from temptation” (2nd Peter 2:9). We have God's assurance that He will not permit more pressure than we can handle to occur (1st Corinthians 10:13). 

Christs words of wisdom will provide you with an abundance of power, provision and peace. Restoration work is helped along through self introspection, professional therapy and journaling. By acknowledging and forgiving who, and what happened in your life that left you feeling lonely, unloved, abandoned and unworthy, you begin to unravel the web of hurt and injury Satan has used to defeat you. Such revelation begins the healing process, which ultimately produces love and the power to forgive. Addiction has at its core a wounded soul. Therefore, most of the vital work to be done is spiritual.

Affirmations of God's grace, mercy, and love are the beginning of the self restoration process. Romans 12:2 , “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will.” The greatest transformation occurs when you begin to realize just how much God loves you (John 3:16). He will never leave you or forsake you and He sticks closer to you than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

The only way to learn of God's everlasting love and His will for your life is to read His letter to us, the Bible. 2nd Tim 3:16-17 , “ All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (17) so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” When we line up our thoughts and behaviors with the word of God as our guide, we overcome our negative thoughts/traits and re-enforce our positive thoughts/traits. During this continued process our spirit begins to change, becoming more equipped, and our mind is re-newed. For the anointed word ushers in the purging love and healing needed to transcend and eradicate sin, addiction, and shameful feelings of inadequacy.

This healing process not only effects us in our everyday life, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It also short circuits negative behavior patterns, enabling our mind to think in new spiritual ways that foster positive self esteem and change. 

Romans 8:6, “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace.” Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful”. Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.“

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).   By reading, memorizing, speaking, and praying the word of God, we enable the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us unto all truth (John 16:13).   When we change our behaviors we literally change the way our mind works, responds, and develops.   We become whole, calm, and centered spiritually.  In one word, we become peaceful!   

Philippians 4:7,   “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Generational curses and blessings are patterns of behavior, for good or bad, that we pass down to our children.  An example would be an alcoholic, sex addicted mother or father, who lived an unclean  defiled life.  Living life in a polluted manner,  he or she, opened themselves up to the dark side.   

The trials and struggles we most often encounter within our lifetime have been handed down through generation upon generation.  Lamentations 5:7,  “Our fathers sinned and are no  more, and we bear their punishment.”  Jeremiah 32:18, “You show love to thousands but bring punishment for the fathers sins into the laps of their children after them.”   We read of Job, who went through trials, afflictions, pain, and sorrow, yet through it all he remained  loyal and faithful to God.  

God blessed  Job  for his obedience.  Job 42:16,  “After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the forth generation.”  

Proverbs 20:7,  “The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.”  

If you want peace in life its time to get right with God, draw the line in the sand (never crossing over it again), and change the heredity curses into spiritual blessings!  It is this peace of mind which comes from God, that we then empower our future generations with the “spiritual hereditary genetics” necessary to change the cellular and molecular make-up of past generational sins.  God's word explains this process.  

Deuteronomy 7:9,  “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping  His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”  

  Psalm 103:17,  “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children's children. 
 

Genesis 22:17 -18,  "I will surely bless you and your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, (18) and through your off spring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." 

 This was God's covenant promise to Abraham and his descendants.  We are from the seed of Abraham and share the blessings of the covenant, if we like wise obey His word, the Holy Bible.

However, we read in Exodus 20:5, "For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate Me."   

Exodus 34:5-7,  “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed His name, the Lord. (6) And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, (7) maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.  Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." 

 A few additional Biblical  resources of generational sin can be found in:

• Numbers 14:18
• Matthew 23: 31-35
• Jeremiah 2: 5-7
• Jeremiah 32: 17-19
• Deuteronomy 5: 9-10
• Malachi 2: 1-4
• Sin causing generational sin, murder and/or sex sin, 2nd Samuel 12: 9-14
• Lying, Zechariah 5: 3-5
• Hating God, Psalm 21: 8-10
• Theft, Zechariah 5: 3-4, Habakkuk 2: 9
• Idolatry, Exodus 20 :3-6, Ezekiel 14: 6-8.

We do not know what all of those 16 people in our generational background were involved in, but we know that God says it affects us.  Not only can we inherit physical defects from our ancestors, we can also inherit emotional and spiritual defects.

In the end of our life, we are each held responsible for what we do.  We end up who and what we are in life because of our personal choices.  The only way to reverse the sin curse is to claim the authority in Jesus Christ, who's blood paid the price to deliver and redeem us from sin.  

The instant you turn away from past sin and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior the curse is reversed and the healing power of His word is allowed to penetrate your heart, soul and mind.

Creating in you a new mind, fed by God's word, (not an addictive person, substance or activity), producing increased wisdom, understanding and peace.  

Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  

 1st John 5:3-5,  “This is love for God: to obey His commands.  And His commands are not burdensome, (4) for everyone born of God overcomes the world, even our faith.(5) Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

1st John 3:9,  “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning”.  

This does not mean we will live perfect holy lives, it means we will strive to live holy lives.  We will not lean towards temptation but run from it.  Repeating the same sin means we were not truly repentant.   In prayer ask God to direct you.  

 Psalm 119:133,  “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.”   Have faith in  Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 1:24).

John 16:33,  "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  

 In this world you will have trouble.   But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  Because Jesus Christ overcame the world, through His power, we can too.   2nd  Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for  My power is made perfect  in weakness.”    Philippians 4:13,  “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”  

Jesus Christ overcame sickness, sin and addictions on the cross of Calvary.  You are loved, accepted and made worthy by His shed blood.   You are not alone in your recovery process.   The  word of God (wisdom), and the Holy Spirit (understanding), is with you to guide you unto all  truth!   Do not fear, for God walks with you, before you, and as I can attest to, He's even got your back.

God has more for you in the future than what you had in the past.  You have to leave your  destructive, dysfunctional past behind in order for your future, the favor of God and His blessings to manifest in your life.   Sin tolerated makes living by faith complicated.  You cannot hold onto the past with one hand (always looking back),  hoping to receive your God ordained future in the other hand.  

 James 4:4, “You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?  Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”  

 James 4:7-8,  “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Come near to God and He will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded people.”

God cares more about our obedience than He does our sacrifice. 

 In other words, we have to walk the talk, not talk the walk!  The enemy sends people in your life to weaken and destroy you, however, God sends people in your life to encourage and mentor you.   It is no accident that you are reading the words on this page.   God is speaking to you.  In a very direct way God  is calling you to embark on a sacred journey  home (reference story, “My Sacred Journey Home” - www.synthiaesther.com).

If your family of origin is your major oppression (and many times it is in the addictive cycle of  shame), look to find people and a church family who can love, encourage and affirm your spiritual growth.  Once you gain strength and maturity in the Lord, you could be used as an instrument of God to win your entire family to Jesus Christ.  God can use the witness of  them seeing a change in you, to produce a change in them.  The  key to this process is “change”.

Many times, the same problems occur again and again in families due to poor parental modeling skills.  This is in part due to  inherited generational sin patterns.   It is the collective consciousness of the family that contributes to the addicts shamed based mind set.  No family is perfect, for it is made up of human beings who are imperfect.  However, it is up to us to choose the good building blocks given us, not the defective ones, to improve our lives by setting higher standards of righteousness.   What you lack, God will provide.   God's word will help you in your learning process to choose the spiritual building blocks needed for a firm foundation.

When you live life according to Gods blue prints, the Bible, you can't go wrong.  Instead of the  “if only" mindset, your mindset will develop the "despite of," principle.   

By your obedience to God, the Holy Spirit will empower you to make new things happen, reversing the sin curse imparted on your life.   No longer held captive by the bondage power of bitterness and addiction, you will gain placidity in a difficult time of sorrow.   You will begin to  display an unwavering faith in God and His mighty hand of providence.  The way your parents raised you became the foundation of who you are.

 However, it is a decision what mind set you feed and thus actually grow to become.  You can become bitter, or choose to be better.

Addiction begins in the heart when you justify your addictive behavior with an excuse.  You dismiss your  actions by giving them validation.  "I wouldn't be this way if... (insert excuse)."  This is a victim mentality mind set and it comes straight from Satan himself!  The list can go on and on as you justify  your addictive behavior.   

Perhaps you have been terribly wronged, hurt and  abused.  We all have our stories of pain, regret, and sorrow, some much worst than the other. Just when you think your life is as bad as it can get you meet someone whose life is so much worst.  A relative side point,  Satan desires to destroy you. - John 10:10.  Such os the Targeted Individual's plight: 

Reference Synthia Essther Ministries outreach website::   www.techchronicity.com - Targeted Individuals, to learn more.

Like the story of the man who was grumbling and depressed because he had no shoes.  He changed his attitude to gratitude when he met the man who had no feet.   

God can heal your pain and bring you the peace you long for.   John 14:27,  "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you."  It is God Himself who gives you new solid blocks on which to build on.   Satan and his lies will ultimately destroy you. However, it is you who decides to choose good over evil, or the light over the darkness.

 Once you've taken the first steps to ignore the conscience of your  hearts inner spiritual witness and you commit the sin, you by passed the spirit and continued down the spiraling path of  habitual addiction.  These self destructive  patterns were held in place and protected by the cycling pattern of denial.  Each time this process is repeated the addiction becomes stronger and stronger, eventually taking on a life (and spirit), of  its own.  It is these continued, cumulative "blind mind" decisions that enable you to continue to dismiss your inner spirit.  You live your life to accommodate the sin and its downward trail of destruction.  It is only when you look to Jesus that your direction is changed from downward to upward.  It is a battle for your soul and it is up to “you” to win the war.

Instead of feeding your mind with sins anger and bitterness, denial, lies, and fantasy, start feeding your spirit the word of God, which breaks the bondage and cycle of addictions.   Romans 8:5-8,  “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (6) The mind of sinful man is death but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; (7)  the sinful mind is hostile to God.   It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.  (8) Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.  (9) You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.   And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”

You can have the spirit of God  within you by humbly admitting your sins, believing and asking Jesus Christ to  forgive those sins, and inviting Him into your heart.  It is with that simple step in faith that you begin your healing, reversing the powers that bind and control you.  Replacing the holes in your heart with the only one who can fill them, Jesus Christ.  Then when life turns to difficult or sorrowful times, you have the peace of God to sustain you.   A peace and  love that passes all understanding.   Isaiah 55:12,  “You will go out with joy and be led forth with peace.”

Obsession is an influence, notion, fixed idea, or a  troubled mind set, which persistently assails or vexes your mind and spirit.   A seemingly uncontrollable desire and temptation to dwell on an idea or emotion frequently involving an urge toward some form of action.   As Christians, we ex-change our obsessive compulsive thoughts and traits of  behavior that sin and the world have to offer, for love, mercy, and grace that God and His word offer.  

When obsessive, intrusive, thoughts arise you can redirect those negative thoughts with positive, healing, affirmative affirmations from God's word.   His word contains the healing power necessary to transform your life filled with negativity, into a positive life filled with joy.   When we put our trust and faith in God, we know that all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Possession: An altered state of consciousness in which the conscious personality of the individual is replaced with that of an other personality, thought of as a possessing entity (demon).   The entity is welcomed in by the host personality  with repeated and deliberate sinful degeneration of his or her mind, or by a deliberate personal invitation,(summoning demonic entities to empower them in order to gain knowledge, power and/ or control).   

This includes mediums, channeling, spirit guides, aliens, past life regression, ghosts, summoning the dead and /or trying to receive their power/spirit, white magic, black magic,voodoo, Satan worship and the list goes on.  These  practices  are  detestable to the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

Characteristics of possession in MPD (multiple personality disorder), also known as DID (Dissociate Identity Disorder), can manifest due to trauma, rape, abuse or molestation.  In these situations and/or instances, altered personalities are formed in order for the individual to cope with the emotional and physical abuse they have had to endure.   Manifestations  of  DID, does not necessarily indicate demonic possession.  

A  person with Dissociative Identity Disorder, develops two or more distinct personalities, often called sub personalities, each with a unique set of memories, behaviors, thoughts and emotions.   At any given time, one of the sub personalities takes over and dominates the person's functioning.  Usually one sub personality, called the primary or host personality, appears more  often than the others.  The transition from one sub personality to another called switching, is usually sudden and dramatic (APA,2000, 1994).

Physically the switching at times appears to be demonic in nature, as the affected individual twists their face, growls, and may yell obscenities while changing personalities.  At times, people with Dissociative Disorder can recover on their own (Kihistrom, 2001).  Jesus Christ can heal you!  Therapists typically try to bond with the primary and sub personalities, (Klluft, 1999, 1992).  The final goal of therapy is to merge the different sub personalities into a single, integrated identity.

There are additional mood and personality disorders that can effect your life.   Schizophrenia, Bi-polar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic and/or Anti Social Personality Disorder, Depersonalisation Disorder, just to name a few.  Therapy and medication are often needed to help stabilize moods swings and mental stability.  

Seek the advice of your doctor, and take the medications prescribed.  God can and often does use Doctors to better your health and life.  Depending on each individual circumstance, fasting, prayer for inner healing and deliverance, are spiritual interventions which can provide additional healing power only Jesus Christ can give.   Please note: If you are in need of medical attention, or you are under medical care and supervision, do not fast without your doctors consent (reference Synthia Esther Ministries disclaimer policy).

God is able to deliver you!  Psalm 103:3-5,  “Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, (4) who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.(5) who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”   Matthew 10:1,  “He called His twelve disciples to Him and gave then authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”   We have that same authority.

I have personally witnessed my ex-Ryan (reference story “Foolish Pleasure – The Love Story Of A Sex Addict, His Betrayal And Crime”), who was plagued with an addiction to sex, lose his capacity to speak of his own freewill on several occasions.  His exact response when I questioned him concerning this alter ego was,  "I don't know why I say the things I do.  I hear myself speaking and yet I have no control over what comes out of my mouth.   I try to stop talking...but I can't!  I don't understand what happens to me?" 

  I even mentioned that his statement sounded like demonic possession.   Proverbs 17:20,  “A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.”

On another occasion, because Ryan was at times extremely angry, I asked why didn't he try therapy and psychological counseling for anger management?   He responded with sincerity, “I don't want to go ....what if they find out somethings wrong with me?"  Now knowing of Ryan's double life, his secret deviant sexual addiction,  and his  trance states of consciousness, I understand his concern.  He knew something was wrong with his inner spirit. 

I tried to be compassionate concerning his anger due to knowing how persons involved in war (Ryan was a military pilot in the Iraq war), can be effected.  My father, a war veteran, as well as many other war veterans all confirmed the trying times of coping with the trauma of war.  Post- traumatic stress is often a by product of war.  For that matter, so is being raised in an abusive, negative, cold, unloving, stressful shame environment.

Ryan's secret sexual addiction was a coping mechanism for his inner turmoil.  This inner turmoil began as a child growing up in an abusive, dysfunctional home.  His mother, a critical, debasing, seemingly obvious case (according to every research book and psychological description-DSM V, that I have studied), of Borderline Personality Disorder.  She could be their poster person.   Her shamed based personality, lack of love and affirmation was combined with a husband (Ryan's father), who was passive aggressive and seemed to be emotionally absent.  

Ryan lived with pent up emotional distress his entire childhood.  Both he and his sister have suffered.  Ryan couldn't remember ever being told he was loved by either parent and expressed wishing his mother was dead.  However, even her death would not erase the devastating effect she had on her children's lives.   Their father, with his passive aggressive spirit only re-enforced feelings of abandonment.

I describe Ryan's up-bringing only to demonstrate the feelings of hopelessness within many of the addicted.  They have less good building blocks to model after, as well as attachment bonding and intimacy issues.  Unless they change their hereditary modeling pattern those same building blocks are passed down to their children.   Ryan's parents gave verbal credence to God's word, yet they lived life in direct violation and opposition to the words written within its pages.

Their self righteous double standards were all Ryan had as a child to base his spiritual ideals and convictions upon.  God doesn't like a person to be lukewarm – neither hot nor cold in deeds and action (Revelation 3:16).   Ryan's parents had a  self centered, “me” based attitude which was riddled with conflict in its self seeking, self serving, power and control mindset.  Since birth, this deceptive shame and blame manipulation had been his role modeled pattern of behavior.   As an outsider looking within this family's social structure of survival, one has to ask, “Where is the love?” 

One day at the age of 11,  Ryan  was at a neighbors house and found hidden  pornography magazines.  Who do you think set that trap? 

 Satan.  That opened door led to the secret fantasy life of  Ryan's dreams.  The one sure thing he could count on to satisfy his emotional distress and fill the holes in his young heart was sex, fantasy and masturbation.  He would never feel abandoned again.  Satan provided Ryan with a false substitute for the love he felt he didn't deserve and never received.

Ryan began fantasizing about the cheer leaders at his school.  Then there is one  lady I met in a sex addiction support group  who recounts how her ex-husband's sexual fantasy life began, "He would fantasize and play with the air around him when his parents, for discipline took away all other privileges."  It is this escape method of the mind that Satan  continues to use to his advantage.  Satan targeted Ryan, but God had other plans!  - Genesis 50:20