You Will NEVER Have to Worry About any Relapse

Relapse is one of the greatest fears for anyone who has battled addiction. You finally go through the agony of detox only to worry about using again. You just haven’t figure it out yet. Then, there are those who have experienced freedom who still have the haunting thought of slipping back into their old habits. This can feel overwhelmingly frightening. I blame the 12-step mindset that made up a theory which states that addiction is a disease that is never able to be healed and has multiple relapses built into it that leads you back into drugs or alcohol until you die. They believe that recovery is a revolving door from sobriety to using again. I want to shout out from the rooftop that for true born-again believers, there is a powerful assurance that if you remain committed to following Christ on the straight and narrow, you will never have to worry about relapse.

“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.”
Mark 12:30

Jesus Himself declared, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14). The path of discipleship may be difficult at first, but it is the path that leads to true freedom and lasting transformation. Staying close to Jesus Christ, and allowing His Holy Spirit to abound in you, provides the strength needed to resist the temptations that lead to relapse. He says that when we’re weak, He’s strong!

One key to maintaining this freedom is staying in God’s Word. Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). The Word of God is your absolute safeguard against the lies of the enemy that seek to pull you back into your former addiction. As you meditate on Scripture, you are reminded of your identity in Christ and the victory you have through Him. Read it more times a day than you eat… it’s the “bread of life”. Always pray before reading and pray first thing in the morning before your feet hit the floor and then pray at bedtime.

Another vital component is the work of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” When you yield to the Holy Spirit, He empowers you to overcome temptation and guides you into righteous living. The Spirit produces fruit in your life—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—which are essential in maintaining a life free from relapse. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

Community is also essential. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.” Surrounding yourself with godly, supportive believers provides accountability and encouragement. Isolation is dangerous, but fellowship strengthens your resolve to stay on the straight and narrow. A trustworthy non-denominational Christian recovery coach is also essential, at least for the first year.

Prayer is another powerful weapon in the battle against relapse. Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). Through prayer, you invite God’s protection and power. He is faithful to answer and provide the strength you need to stand firm.

It’s important to remember that God’s grace is sufficient for every challenge you face. Paul wrote, “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). In moments of weakness, God’s grace empowers you to stay free.

Living on the straight and narrow requires being intentional. Proverbs 4:25-27 advises, “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” By keeping your focus on our King and making deliberate choices to honor Him, you are guaranteed a lifetime of freedom from addiction.

Finally, never forget that victory is already yours in Christ. Romans 8:37 proclaims, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” You do not have to fight for victory; you already HAVE the victory. Christ has already defeated sin and death, and through Him, you have the power to walk in freedom.

If you are a true believer and committed to following Christ on the straight and narrow, relapse is NOT your story. Stay rooted in God’s Word, yield to the Holy Spirit, engage in a faith based community, pair up with a Christian recovery coach, and remain steadfast in prayer. Trust in God’s grace and walk confidently in the victory that Christ has secured for you. As long as you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, you will never have to fear falling back into the chains of addiction. He said, on the cross, “it is finished’.

Have a blessed rest of your day! Walk in confidence that relapse is not even in your vocabulary as a true believer. Hope to see you in my next post. Bye for now!