Alcoholism - How to break free.

The alcoholic knows more than anyone else the hurt drinking causes. But, traditionally, the Church has not been a haven for recovery or a place of release from this bondage from the devil. To many times the alcoholic has tried Church to relieve his or her problem only to have the people of the Church cause them to sink to an even lower state of hopelessness. The Church should be the place for deliverance and healing. We want to present here the encouragement and hope of the Word of God and provide a means of release from the prison of alcoholism. Let's first look at what God's Word says on the matter. In Proverbs, God's Word gives us a clear discription of the problem of alcoholism.

Proverbs 23:29-35, "29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again."

How many of us can identify with this situation. We drink motivated by all the self-defeating problems and end up with more problems caused by drinking:
WOE - defined as; Intense mournfulness; or misery resulting from affliction.
SORROW - defined as; great sadness associated with loss or bereavement; sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment (drank to drown sorrow); Something that causes great unhappiness.
CONTENTIONS - defined as; a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement.
BABBLINGS - defined as; talking idly or incoherently (in this case definitly incoherent)
WOUNDS WITHOUT CAUSE AND RED EYES - we all know what this is, the old familiar hang-over.
YOUR EYES WILL BEHOLD STRANGE WOMEN - there is a major lapse in moral character.
THINE HEART WILL UTTER PERVERSE THINGS - the definition of perverse is - immorality; deviating from what is considered right or proper or good; marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict. The alcohol causes you to think and speak from the heart things that you would, while sober, never think or say.
Concluding this passage of scripture is the illustration of the drunken stager and the out come of the false attitude that you can whip the world (getting beat up in the process). It also describes the alcoholic's tendency to "black out, " no memory of what happened the night or day before, and the insanity of going out to do it all over again thinking that it will be different this time.

Another effect of being a drunkard (alcoholic) is the loss of financial health and going from a position of prosperity to poverty.
Proverbs 23:20-21, "20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags."
Proverbs 21:17, "17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich."

In Isaiah, God cautions us to the greatest threat, that alcohol addiction brings upon those who are deceived by it (Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.). They reach the place where they no longer perform the work of the Lord and they do not consider His Word. The conclusive result is that they loose all of their spirituality (their personal relationship with God) and shift into the complete control of the devil. They justify the wicked, and take a place in the firing lines against the righteous.
Isaiah 5:11-13, 22-23, "11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! 12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands. 13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. 22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!"

The goal we want to establish is deliverance and healing to those (including brothers and sisters in Christ) who are captive to this addiction. Just a few more things in regard to drinking from the New Testament and we will move on to the steps to recovery from the stand point of the principles of God's Word.

To the Church, the body of Christ, the following is addressed in regard to drinking, we are to be filled with the spirit (which enables God to heal and remove the thoughts and feelings that cause one to drink) rather than getting drunk with wine (which does tend to anesthetize us to the extent that we do not have to contend with feelings).
Ephesians 5:18, "18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;"

Further, the epistles to the Church also state that a person in order to be acceptable for a leadership position in the Church must not be "given to wine" , "not given to much wine" , plainly speaking not an alcoholic (drunkard). The first example is for Bishops (a man of God responsible for the operation and direction of the Church in a City), the second example if for a deacon (basically the individual responsible for the operation of the Church in one particular worship place within a city). The third example in Titus covers the instruction to Titus to establish an elder (bishop) in every city and the requirements for this individual, one of which was "not given to wine".
1 Timothy 3:1-7, "1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."
1 Timothy 3:8-13, "8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."
Titus 1:5-9, "5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers."

Then, Paul in his letter of correction to the Church in Corinth exhorted them not to keep company (means not make it a habit of hanging out with, socializing with people fitting into certain categories - one being drunkard). This instruction was given by inspiration of God, because evil associations (you have to associate to communicate) corrupt good manners (defined as - social deportment ). The old saying that "if you hang out at the barbershop long enough - you'll get a hair cut" is a true analogy. If you in preference socialize with people with a moral problem, eventually they will influence you to act as they do. He did not say to exclude these people from church (worshiping), Jesus came to save those who were sick, not the folk who were well.
1 Corinthians 5:11, "11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."
1 Corinthians 15:33-34, "33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame."

Paul was not saying to totally avoid people with certain moral deviations from the way we should walk as a Christian. Those are the people for which we received the ministry of reconciliation, the people we are to reconcile back to God. Then Paul counseled Timothy to use a "little" wine to ease a stomach illness he was effected by. There are some medicinal benefits of some alcoholic beverages, but this verse in no wise gives anyone a license to drink and "party hearty."
1 Timothy 5:23, "23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."

NEXT LET"S LOOK AT RECOVERY FROM THIS AFFLICTION
Long before "The 12 Steps of Recovery" were compiled, these steps were principles that God placed in his Word, the Bible. The state of a person addicted to alcohol is not hopeless or beyond healing with the Word of God. It is the healing available from God's Word that activates release from this prison so many find themselves in. And, it is a prison, we start out "social" drinking until we have offended so many people and placed ourselves in so many situations where we have shamed ourselvs so much, that we start to isolate ourselves and continue to drink. It is at this point hope within dies and all there is left is to keep drinking more and more to kill the pain. Yet with some rather simple steps baised on God' Word, we can revitalize our lives, we can overcome the addiction that drove us so far from God and godliness. Lets look at The 12 Steps of recovery from alcoholism from the scriptural basis for them. Start to actively apply these steps in your life and you will have "release from this prison" called alcoholism.

STEP ONE: "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol ... that our lives had become unmanageable."
We were powerless over our separation from God, we used dependence on alcohol to fill the void caused by that separation. We used alcohol to avoid our pain and we lived in a fantasy world of denial. We could not cope with life on life's terms because without God we were defeated on every front. We utilized denial to keep us from seeing how powerless and unmanageable our lives had become. The book of Romans describes the despair you feel when you have abandoned hope of success in stoping your drinking, this section of scripture is also referring to all forms of sin but still hits the nail on the head in describing the alcoholics hopelessness.
Romans 7:15, 18-19, "15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"

STEP TWO: "Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity."
"Who will deliver us from the body of this death?", Romans 7:24 recounts. God, the supreme power greater than ourselves, could and will restore us to sanity. The insanity is that we continue the same behavior and expect different results. In order to be able to be restored, we had to stop fighting ourselves and God. We have to become convinced to the point that we believe He can restore us, before we can begin to function again as sane and rational people. We had to surrender to God in order for God to be able to help us.
Job 22:29, "29 When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and He shall save the humble person."
Isaiah 25:9, "9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. "
Luke 19:10, "10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Hebrews 7:25, "25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Luke 1:37, "37 For with God nothing shall be impossible."

When we humble ourselves before God, we surrender to God, then God is able to save us and restore us to sanity. In the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the coming of Jesus Christ, he said that Jesus Christ would bring us salvation. Jesus himself said that he came to seek and save them that were lost (alcoholics included). In Hebrews it says that Jesus Christ (the son of man) had come to seek and save the lost. When the angel from God appeared to Mary to tell her she had been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God, the angel told her one of the most important things to keep in mind in your recovery, "Nothing Is Impossible For God." Since nothing is impossible with God we can have full confidence in Him.

STEP THREE: "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of GOD as we understood Him."
When we rely on God we begin to trust ourselves and others. We give him our past, our future, our will, our body, soul & spirit. With God all things are possible. I can't, God can, I'll let Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6, "5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Proverbs 16:9, "9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps."
1 Peter 5:6-7, "6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
2 Corinthians 10:5, "5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"
John 14:6, "6 I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man gets to the father except through me."

We can completely have no fear in turning our will and our lives over to the care of God. When we make the commitment to allow God to be our care provider and trust in Him, He will direct our paths. We will still have moments of taking back our surrender to God, but He will still direct our steps. He cares so much for us that when we have humbled ourselves to His direction and keeping He will exalt you in due time. And to completely give ourselves to God's care, we have to accept the author of our salvation Jesus Christ because he is our only access to God.

STEP FOUR: "Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves."
We write our own life story. When we make an honest and complete moral inventory of ourselves, we expose not only the things we have done wrong against ourselves and others, we release the secrets in our lives that have kept us in bondage to alcohol. The things we would not admit through denial. Honesty is the key that breaks denial. It is not an easy step for anyone to take, but it is the step that has to be done if we are to be able to grow in spirituality and in recovery. This is the step that starts us on the path to being able to feel again and soon after be able to feel good about ourselves.
Lamentations 3:40, 40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
Ecclesiastes 7:25, 25 I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
2 Corinthians 13:5, 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
John 8:32, 32 And you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.

Once we have written an honest 4th step, we will have made statement of the truth and the truth will make you free. We have to search ourselves and the reason of things we have done and said. We are on the path of releasing the past, putting it behind us and moving forward in the right direction with our lives.

STEP FIVE "Admitted to GOD, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs."
Confession promotes healing and confession produces forgiveness. We are as sick as our secrets. Jesus died for our sins.
Psalms 32:5, 5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Proverbs 27:17, 17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
James 5:16, 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

First we must acknowledge our wrongs to God and He will forgive us. Then when we confess our wrongs to another man or woman it releases the pain of our wrongs, it sharpens or brings into focus our release from the bondage of our secrets, and it promotes our healing.

STEP SIX: "Were entirely ready to have GOD remove all these defects of character."
This is a lifelong process. It is progress not perfection and it is a process of transforming our minds by renewing the way we think to God's way and our lifestyle to the one God wants us to have.
Ezekiel 18:32, 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
Psalms 19:12-13, 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
2 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
James 4:10, 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Our defects of character have lead us on the pathway to death. To the alcoholic not in recovery, this pathway leads to institutions, jail, and death. Before being able to lead a full and productive life, we have to be ready to have God remove all of the "secret" faults that we exposed to Him and another human being in steps 4 & 5, and believe that God is able to keep these things from having dominance or power over our lives. We must be willing to let God cleanse us.

STEP SEVEN: "Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings."
Our shortcomings have produced discomfort and pain in our lives. God has promised to remove our shortcomings (sin), to forgive us, and He will through His guidance and the instruction of His Word.
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalms 103:12
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Romans 3:23-25
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Romans 4:7-8, "7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."
Psalms 86:5, "5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."

God is faithful to forgive us when we ask his forgiveness. Not only does forgive us he has removed our transgressions from us an infinite distance. God knows we are not perfect and He sent His only son to be the atoning for our sin so that we could absolved of all our sin. Since God does not hold our sins against us the scriputres say, blessed is the man that God will not hold responsibility or fault for his sins.

STEP EIGHT: "Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all."
We learn in this step to take responsibility for ourselves and our actions. We put ourselves first on the list to make amends to. We forgive ourselves for our wrongs. We stop punishing ourselves. We are willing to face the damage we caused to ourselves and others. We go back to our 4th step and take action on righting the the things we have done that hurt others.
Jeremiah 26:13, "13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you."
Matthew 5:23-24, "23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
Luke 6:31, "31 Do to others as you would have them do to you."

When we make amends to those people we have harmed, God removes the obstacles placed in our way that are harmful to us. Making amends is to treat others as we would want to be treated.

STEP NINE: "Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others."
We know who we can make direct amends to, and we ask God to direct us. We have to make amends face to face where possible. Sometimes it may hurt another person to make a direct amend or would hurt others, therefore until that amend can be made, we can only ask God for forgiveness and healing of the other person. It is when we start making amends that we see the healing of relationships, families, and healing in all other areas of our life begin. Some will not forgive you, still you have fulfilled your part. We can only change the things we can and ask God to give us the courage and peace to accept the things we can not change.
Matthew 6:14-15, "14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Luke 6:38, "38 Give and it shall be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

In order to make amends to others in some cases we need to be willing to forgive them, to remove the resentments we have held onto for so long which have destroyed relationships and families. We need to forgive those we preceive to have harmed us, and we need to be willing to give of ourselves. It is truly an act of giving, to humble our selves from self-pride, and approach those we have harmed in any way to ask forgiveness and make things right. God promises you results in this effort. As you give to those you have hurt, God in return starts the process of blessing you with an abundance of blessing in your life.

STEP TEN: "Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it."
We continue to take inventory of ourselves to assure we keep a clear conscience before God. When we are wrong we promptly admit it and correct what we have done wrong. Our faith in God has given us healthier thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. We seek Godly counsel when needed. We have learned to associate with healthy people. We learn to guard, protect, and polish ourselves because we are the dwelling place for the holy spirit, the Christ in you the hope of glory.
2 Corinthians 10:5, "5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"
Romans 12:3, "3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith GOD has given you."
2 Corinthians 13:5, "5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
1 Corinthians 10:12, "12 If you think you are standing firm, be careful you don't fall."

Romans 12:1-2, "1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

The process involves removing and replacing our wrong thoughts and intentions, that go against God and His Word. We present them to God through Jesus Christ to have them removed. We can not allow ourselves to become to proud to make a truthful assessment. We have to examine ourselves and prove ourselves to determine if we are truly walking the walk God wants us to and interacting with others as we should. Never should we have the attitude that we are completely in to it, and have progressed to the place we are doing no wrong. The process of a daily personal inventory works best when we apply the principle of the renewed mind. This means to us that we replace the negative thoughts and emotions of our minds with what God's Word says about us which is truly a transformation of our life.

STEP ELEVEN: "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with GOD as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will, and the power to carry that out."
The Bible is the greatest source for discovering God's will and purpose for our lives. Prayer is talking to God. Meditation is listening to God through what he says in His Word, and listening to the "still small voice" some call the conscience. To admit today that you have a concious contact with God is more than likely to have them haul you away to the "nut farm" in a straight jacket. Still though, God does work as He has from the beginning and He has always spoken to direct His children.
1 Kings 19:11-13, "11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?"
Psalm 19:14, "14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
Matthew 7:7, "7 Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you."
Revelation 3:8, "8 I will open doors no man can close and close doors no man can open."
Jeremiah 29:11-12, "11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you."
2 Timothy 2:15, "15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Through prayer and meditation (listening to what God has to say - and considering what is said) we gain the knowledge of His will, and through prayer we obtain the power to apply this knowledge. Jesus said seek and you will find (seek knowledge of God), ask and you will receive, and God will open doors for you. When God opens a door, gives you an opportunity in life, no one can stop you from being able to enter and receive what He has made available to you. Our operation of step 11 will truly bring into realization God's promise, "I know the plans I have For you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

STEP TWELVE: "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and practice these principles in all our affairs."
Step 12 allows us to carry the message of healing to other hurting alcoholics. We practice the principles of the steps in every area of our lives, and we are willing to help others on their exodus from the bondage to alcohol. It is in denial to selfishness and giving what we have learned to others, that we are able to keep and grow in God's grace and recovery. Without this selfless act of giving we can not maintain a full grasp of what we have gained.
Galatians 6:1-2, "1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
1 Peter 4:11, "11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
Ephesians 4:15, "15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
James 5:20, "20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."

Our spiritual awakening and our carrying of this message of hope to other alcoholics has wonderful results from God for us. We are to work with others in a spirit of meekness and be prepaired in our hearts not to fall into temptation as well. This is the promise of God, "John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." If Jesus Christ has made you free you are free indeed.