Powerful Talk on Overcoming Addiction 

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I really am struggling with drinking and smoking and I ask any one humbly ask to pray I can stop my idolatry and overcome in the name of Jesus thank you pastor this is a blessing please pray I am set free

God I need your grace to get past this sin that's destroying my life I need you Lord

Paster Jeff...I was at that addiction center on your last night and I need you to know you changed my life by teaching me the gospel of Christ. You brought me back to believing there is a God and a new way to live...I have moved to South Carolina but I will never forget the impact you had on me. Thank you xoxo

Drugs are something that I despise and detest, I hate them more than any other material thing. I hate them because I've loved them so much in the past. I hate them because they've deceived me so many times, and they ruined me. Stay away from what distracts you from God, my friends.

I'm in tears 15mins into this and tears are rolling down my face because I'm a sinner I don't deserve a single thing from God. All my life I lived it against everything God said do even mocking God but I asked for his help one day and that help came and it's funny after all I did against God he was always by my side he never left me, he saved me man he saved me. Why am I in tears I'll tell you because I think of Jesus Christ he came to forgive our sins but before he came he knew how his life was gonna be to the point of crucifixion, a man who did no sin was mocked, spat at laughed at was beaten and whipped to the point that any other man would have died, he was nailed to a cross and if that wasn't enough he had a crown of thorns put into his head then a sword into his side and left to bleed to death, just think of the amount of suffering and pain he went thru and all that was done for me, now you know why tears are rolling down my face. I give all the glory to God.

I’m glad I watched this. I’m struggling with drinking and anxiety please pray for me pastor. I hate this sin and I believe I can overcome.

After watching this I thought this will never happen to me. I only smoke weed and cigarettes. Literally a few days after watching this I was at a house party with friends. Had a few drinks and a great time. Then we started to smoke weed. Someone passed me a blunt. It was synthetic weed. After two hits I started to vomit uncontrollably. Then I began to have trouble breathing. I remember thinking this is it I'm dying. I thought of this video. I heard my friends panicking and my best friend kicking everyone out and yelling. He began to hold me as I gasped for breathe. Then I pushed him off and began to pray. I said " God I need you please help me. God I'm so sorry. I won't do this again I promise just save me. Shortly after I was able to breathe. I could barely talk so no one could even make out my words. They could only hear me gasping for God. God uses this video to speak to me immediately after. I cried the whole next day because I felt sooooo many emotions. I just wanted to tell you God used you. This was a life changing experience for me and I know God used this video to show me and connect the dots. Prophets have told me god has a purpose for my life that has great responsibility. If u see this thank u and pray for me. I want to fulfill gods plan for my life and I claim in Jesus's name I will!

Thank you for calling addiction a worship problem!

I overcame a 15 year addiction of crack cocaine only by the grace of God. I got on my knees and cried out to the Lord Jesus to take that craving and mess out of my life .I have been fee of it since August 1st 2017 . I'm worshiping him each day .I have to stay strong in his word all day. u can do it ,but you have to hit your knees and accept and surrender to him .JESUS Christ

I struggled with pornography but ever since i found faith in Christ, although i have been faced with temptation and also sinned, struggled and free of worshipping it, i now worship the true and living GOD

Powerful message!! I worked in the “industry” for almost 8 years and became discouraged seeing the lack of lasting impact of recovery programs. Right before walking away, I told people that Jesus HAS to be the answer, not a program or a book other than the Bible. This stance does not make one very popular in the recovery community.

As a Christian going to an AA program, I knew that the whole Higher Power thing was an imitation. I knew this program was a replacement for use..another idol. I went along with it, got clean, and used after 6 months. I knew instantly what the problem was...I never gave my life over to Jesus..I had given my life to the program. I never went back.

Please pray for me, I'm an IV fentanyl user. I genuinely want to stop so badly. I cry every day every time I use. I want Jesus to come into my heart and to be filled with the holy spirit. Please pray for me. I need to be saved. Thank you

I have fully giving my lie to the lord. But I still struggle with drug addiction and feel empty and I pray for a miracle! 🙏🏼 deliverance

I was a heroin addict for years. The past 5 on methadone, studying the scriptures and theology. But the methadone has destroyed my health .last week I did the rapid detox under anastesia. And im still sufferring these withdrawals as we speak. Brother jeff this messge is exactly what I needed at 3am

I've been struggling with weed and cigarettes. I really feel like God is telling to stop now. I feel it in my very spirit but as every day arises I fail. It's time ❤️

Awesome! I spent years trying to get sober, going to aa meetings. I failed every time. It wasn't until I laid it at the foot of the cross, that with almost no effort, it was just taken from me. I always tell people I was meeting in the wrong building, and reading the wrong big book. Jesus Christ is the only relief from addiction period.

That talk of not being responsible for my own drinking helped me stay drunk But through Jesus Christ delivered me..3 yrs sober from alcohol..now im trying to quit pot😞 I hope Jesus never gives up on me

Thank you for your message. After 5 years I have returned to my vomit. I had a whole ministry of good Christian men around me the first time i put this life behind me and it was amazing hearing them through you with this video. I'm versed with the word, lol even did two years of bible college myself. But I need community again. Having moved is a bad excuse for not seeking a new group of men to do life with and have speak into my life. Pray that I have the courage to kick this idol out of my life and that I find a new group of people and accountability. Thank you again :)

8 1/2 yrs of sobriety, 7 yrs in celebrate recovery, mostly I've stayed clean out of pride. Just within the last year my relationship with God has grown, its no longer pride that keeps me clean, I don't want to use because I love my savior.

I had a stoke at 24 from drugs like Jeff is talking about. I was saved by good doctors and the grace of God. I forever am a servant if Jesus. I feel small and ashamed sometimes but now I help others with addiction. God is with us. God is good.

Wow I really needed to hear this. Thank you Jeff. I’m dealing with my own demons and spiritual oppression. I love God so much but it’s hard to break out of my own sin. It’s true... the Bible says “For you are a slave to whatever controls you." I need to be in daily repentance but I have no one to hold me accountable. I think the first step is finding a church and a Christian community in which I can trust. Overall a great message, very powerful at 00:43. We need to let go of this worldly view of healing and learn to trust in God and God alone. Satan is relentless and keeps coming back with a vengeance. Some days I feel so close to the Lord that I feel unstoppable by evil oppression. Other days it comes on so strong that I hide from God altogether, living in my sin. Coming to Christ for the first time in my life this year has been a roller coaster of an experience for me. If someone can pray for me, I would truly appreciate it. I don’t want to be a slave to idolatry.

I was heroin for 15 years, by the grace and mercy of my lord i am no longer an addict

Mr Durbin i have watched you for years. I love you brother. I quit cold turkey from meth in conversion with Jesus. Being born again receiving the Holy spirit is the answer

I struggle with porn and masturbation for 30 years so I would love to hear about this year's ago. I totally agree it's worship and idolatry and heart problem. i repent and confess it to my fellow christians to get it out in the open for the light to get to it. Fear of the Lord and a closer relationship with jesus and spend more time in the word to wash my mind and renew it. I fill my mind with love, faith, joy, truth, peace, and good godly things than junk.

Great sermon, also the reason of drinking is depression, or just drinking for fun and finding out you drink every day and you can't stop. So even if you are a christian you get sucked in that numness of ignoring God and then feeling guilty about it; next thing you do is drinking more. Praise God he knows this and will welcome you back like in the the story of the lost son. God is that father who waits for you with forgiveness and love. All glory to Jesus !

I can't beat this addiction, one I have beat before, and I keep praying and praying and day after day I can't get a grip. I rarely ever in my life felt alone from God, for the first time in years, I feel more lost than ever. I just don't get it. Best of luck and prayers to the rest of you my friends! I love you all.

I too attend a community of Christians who were former addicts, transformed by the power of the cross. And this message is right on.

Thank you SO much Jeff for this awesome video. I am 57 years old and God's Word through you and this video has made me aware of my "worship" issue. The Lord has placed my wife and I at an awesome Bible church in north Phoenix where we are learning so much about God and His Holy Word, and He has also had me watch the video series on "The Invisible War" with Dr. Michael Youssef, which, in tandem with our pastor's teaching and this video, have helped me immeasurably. I worship and praise Almighty God!!! Thank you again for being an obedient servant of Our Savior!

You have to acknowledge the neurochemical imbalance addiction creates. Yes it is primarily spiritual but our biological intimately connected to our spiritual. For a long time I struggled with addiction, crying out to God "why do I keep doing this thing I don't want to do? Why aren't these desires going away? Am I not praying enough or reading my Bible enough?" No, it was because I wasn't acknowledging the rewiring that had occurred due to abusing over the years. Now I understood why there was such a force of resistance when I would try and quit. Also, withdrawals are real and they can cause massive depression. That's not spiritual, it's biological. Thank God it's all part of the healing process.

Wow, this spoke to me in such a deep level. Thank you so much for this! I have been in denial for so long that I had a problem- I grew up in the church and I know that abusing drugs is wrong but I didn't think I was worshipping a false idol in the process. I'm sorry God and I thank you pastor for this message. I pray that all of us still struggling continue to seek God first before the false pleasures of the world!

(This is my husband's account).... I can definitely identify with everything Jeff said about addiction and AA. I was addicted to opiates....at first prescribed them, then became a full blown addict. The facility that I was taken to....it was in Atlanta (I won't name the place), but it was supposedly a Christian based facility and very expensive. I was presented the 12 steps and what they refer to as the Big Book or their bible. After about 2 weeks of detoxing from all sorts or drugs...some were psych meds (I had also been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and several other disorders)....I was sober and began to question their logic and reasoning about addiction. My story is nearly identical to Jeff's...if you questioned the authority of the Big Book or the 12 steps, well they were less than happy. I was pulled to the side many times because they felt I was influencing the other addicts with my beliefs. As Jeff mentioned, you could worship anything as long as it was a "higher power". It was a very rigid schedule and the entire campus was surrounded by 2 rows of tall fences with razor wire on top. We had to attend classes and group sessions everyday from 8am till 4-5pm....followed by an AA meeting every day. After that, it was get back to the apartment that I shared with 3 other women....cook dinner, do laundry, etc. We were not allowed to use our cellphones so they listened to our conversations on the apartment phone. I told my husband that I couldn't believe how sheeplike the other addicts were! There was an incident where one of my roommates had an asthma attack and was literally dying in front of me (I am a healthcare professional)...so I knew we didn't have time to make 3 calls to ok emergency care for her....especially when I had an albuterol inhaler in my room. I treated her and saved her life, however; she felt guilty because she didn't follow protocol. We were not supposed to use our own medical skills! So she said that she "had to turn herself in". They were so angry at her and me for not calling the appropriate people first. The following day, we were at an AA meeting off campus and a very famous actor was in attendance. He announced that he was an atheist and proceeded to ask if there was a way around the whole God thing. Of course the leader told him sure, it could be nature for you. This man was an alcoholic and had been so for 40 plus years. Statistics show that those whom have chosen Christ are more likely to overcome their addictions. The following day in group, which was led by an ordained minister actually said "well there are those people who go off and do that whole God thing, and I just don't know about them". That was the final straw for me, but also my awakening. I took it as a challenge and just 1 step straight to Jesus. I got on the phone with my husband and told him the story, and I also directed him not to send them anymore money. The very next day when I arrived at the campus, I was called straight to the office. They were irate with me and asked if I was serious about getting the right help....their way. They threatened me with turning me in to my board. Luckily, I knew the law regarding HIPPA so I told them that if they did turn my records over that I would sue their pants off! I told them exactly what I thought about their program and that I rejected their form of treatment but was going to get real treatment.....straight to God. It has been a long journey, but God has taken the desire for drugs away from me completely! It's the best thing that has ever happened to me. It's only been a couple of years, and I am still healing from my very broken childhood and the effects of all of the drugs/medications. I am happy to say that by the Grace of God, I have been able to lead at least three people to Christ for help with addiction and mental health issues.

This is a very powerful sermon. It really put things into perspective. I'm recently overcoming addiction. I never really thought of it that way. Great work you're doing. You're breaking down the stigma of what it truly means to be a follower in Christ.

watching this video while taking drugs . God forgave me and please pray for me to stop doing this .

It's as if you were talking to me directly. This lecture explained a lot of the questions that I've been asking for over a year now. You said a lot of things that I didn't want to hear but I really needed to hear as well. It's been a wonderful blessing. Please pray for me.

Sin is sin. Conviction without condemnation. We all fall short of the glory of GOD. Recognize and repent and put your faith in Christ.

Pasteur Jeff, I just want to write you to thank you for your moving and inspirational ministering. I have seen many of your videos now, and I really respect your approach in your apologetics and your knowledge of scripture. This video testimony really spoke to me. I truly appreciate your candor in sharing as you do. May God always bless you in your mission in the name of Yeshua. Keep up the good work!

Wow! So powerful! Not one dull moment through the entire sermon! And the last closing line of bowing down to idols or resisting to the point of death, will remain in my Christian walk for good!

I've been an alcoholic since I was about 14 years old. I started drinking when I was about 11 or 12. We would steal our parents beer and liquor and sneak off and drink it. I spent alot of time at my friends houses with their dysfunctional families and I learned some very bad behaviors that have made their way up until my late 20s. I'm 29 now and I'm battling. This time I'm going to conquer my demons and be free from the slavery of addiction. I'm on day 4 now and I've been attending AA meetings that are more faith based instead of higher power focused. I'm going to attend everyday and keep going. I'm going to commit and follow through. There is very nice people going through the same thing. The unity and companionship really helps to keep eachother moving forward. We are not alone. Many suffer from addiction and mental illness. We can do this. We do deserve a good life! We must free ourselves from shame and guilt.

6 tabs of E bombs... dude what a testimony .... like 6 tabs ... it is for certain this man was not meant to die ... I know quite a few who have died from just one or two at the MOST !!! Praise the Lord for this mans testimony

I’m also struggling terribly with addiction to smoking marijuana. It’s a sinister one because it really deceives one into thinking it’s not a big deal. I’ve been praying for God to plant the seeds in me to help me to see me wrongdoings and follow Him with my entire life. That being said it is a 14 year habit I’m struggling with daily and at times I feel hopeless. This message was wonderful motivation and help for my soul and I would appreciate any prayers from anyone who reads this. God Bless.

When a former addict got into God they are really useful. Even More than people who didn't even take drugs in their lifetime. Wish I could be like him. I'm an addict please pray for me so that I can get sober and break free from this demonish things I stuck into.🙏🙏🙏

Saved 3 months ago at age 25 from alcohol and tobacco. I only have god to thank that I'm healthy and alive. His love is truly limitless John 3:16

20 years ago under false doctrines, I quit all outward sin. I watched TBN morning to night. I went only to church and the gym. I sat alone and just cleared my mind and I definitely felt something. I was so scared to lose that comfort. I isolated myself from everything so I wouldn't sin. That lasted about 2 years, then one night I smoked a cigarette and the devil told my mind that's it. After that, I went back to my vomit, only 1000 times worse. I had activated my Kundalini thinking it was the holy Spirit. 20 years of sin after that, but not once did I deny God. He was still with me, even though I left. He stripped me of everything to wake me up again.

Please pray for my wife and I we are having a hard time quitting weed🙏🏽 thank you guys❤️

This is very close to my own testimony and it gives me even more respect for Pastor Jeff and his walk with God! God bless you ❤️

I had the same problems in my early twenties but I am saved now. Thank you for this video and thank you God xxx

This gentleman hit the nail on the head for me.my experience with AA and na was the same as his.i struggled with addiction as well in and out of jail lie cheat and steal in and out of half way houses almost died came to in the hospital with tubes and wires hanging off of me.i never could stay sober by going to meetings or having a sponsor or a "God of my understanding".then I started going to church.. thanks to my wife..thanks to God ultimately..and thanks to our daughter..the more I went to church the more I heard and read the word the more I hung around experienced Christian's that were walking the walk..the more sober time I was blessed with..the more I got to know jesus..the more I got to know a new life..a better life.i didn't have a drug problem I had a spiritual problem.this gentleman is dead on.

Thank you so much brother. This is the most succinct and clear sermon I’ve ever listened to. Sincerely. The clarity and explanation of putting the idol before god hit me right at the core. God bless you for this message. God is relentless and amazing.

Definitely spoke to me thank you. I had the truck driver and many of the other drivers around me try to find a different means to pleasure and joy. It helps listening to a lot of this before I start my day give me a better look at my life. Thank you for everything.

This video changed my life.

Amen, same with me brother. What made me hate drugs is doing so much of them that I thought I had died. Also knowing it's pure sin and will only distort this beautiful reality God has given me. It's giving the devil a door to twist your worldview in order to condemn you. *The greatest drug is sobriety!*

“The only answer to sin has always and will always be the Cross of Christ, anything else other than the Cross is a waste of time.” Whoever reads this brief comment, if your struggling with any bondage of sin, I want to remind you, that Jesus Loves you, and that He died for you, that you may live a life of abundance and Victory. Simply believe in Jesus Christ and what He Has accomplished on Calvary’s Cross, and by the Grace of God, your victory shall come. “He the son hath made free is free indeed.” - John 8:36

You guys must understand that it is not always a physical and psychological problem. It is a spiritual problem, there are demonic spirits within you or around you influencing to be addicted to the sin you are doing. You must do a deliverance if you want to be liberated. Praise Lord Jesus the Nazarene because there is deliverance by His blood, by His name, by His Holy Spirit.

Come on Jeff you brought a killer sermon! I love how straight you shoot, there is no way to dodge or weave out of what is plainly put before us as a serious issue that calls us to personal responsibility and ownership of our own sins. Love your steadfast convictions and the love and humility in which you convey that. Praise God! ❤️

From my personal experience with addiction recovery and becoming a follower of Christ I can say from my experience tht putting faith in God and handing my life over to Jesus worked way better than any 12 step program 🙏 I am not judging anyone who has worked the steps nor am I judging these programs but I think anyone who struggles with addiction should give Christ a chance 😊 again this just my personal opinion but it really worked for me

God truly loves you and me! Ask him for help. I myself struggeled with partying and drinking heavy on weekends and throughout a week and after I asked God to help me I got out of depression, suicidal thoughts., alcohol etc. Praise God! Just ask him. The Bible changed my way of thinking! Jesus Christ is truly the way the truth and the life

Here is my testimony. I realized I was a sinner for I smoke and drink "a little too much sometimes" and despite my proud, I realized I couldn't make it by myself. When I really understood what it meant, that Jesus would love us (and me) so much he would die to save us (and me), I felt something in my heart and started to cry. I knew I sinned with my proud, trying to manage my consumption by myself, and decided to surrender to Jesus. I searched for "jesus healing" and picked one video. I listened to it and cried when the man said that Jesus is always with me and had always been with me even when I was suffering and didn't think he was here. I cried knowing that Jesus knew everything about me. The man (I think he is a pastor) said that because Jesus died on the cross, we were already saved and for the first time of my life, I truly believed it. I was saved and know that I understood and believed it, I knew it was just a mather of time before I saw Jesus making some changes in my life. I truly believed it. Everyday I remembered that I was saved...but I kept on using, saying when I'm done with what I have left. I knew something was off in my way of thinking but I kept on believing in Jesus, believing that he saved me and that something would happen because Jesus saved us all. Ok, I was writing something on the devil and the paragraph was deleted by "accident". It looked like and unwanted, select/delete. What a timing... I resume, I found this video, started listening to Jeff Durbin and realized I was a sinner for I was an addict, who didn't really trusted God and Jesus. No more "a little too much sometimes"... I started to cry when I listened to his words and then I felt like a wave of "It is time ". It was time for me to do something for once, to make a sacrifice. And I DO use this word thoughfully. I felt like it had to do with my prayers. Jesus didn't let me down. Then I knew it had to with my prayers. Then I had what I would call an "evil" inspiring thoughts: "It's not a big deal! It is a good speech, but you have just two days to go... In two days, you quit smoking. Just smoke what you have left..." I felt that something was off with this idea. My mind wasn't at rest. After a 10 minutes struggle...I finally threw everything. I SAY EVERYTHING!!! What I had left and every accesories I used with smoking. I mixed the left overs with trash in the trash can, NO WAY FOR ME TO GET THEM BACK!!! I felt like giving my testimony. THIS ALL HAPPENED TONIGHT!!!. Your words were the answer Jesus gave to my prayer. I praid for Jesus to touch my boyfriend's heart as well and yesterday he told me that he wanted to quit as well. I failed God, I failed Jesus because I embraced lied instead of the Truth. I failed my boyfriend because with my lies I wasn't able to be the example Jesus wants me to be. I feel emotional and now the words are hard to find... Thank you God, thank you Lord Jesus Christ, thank you Jeff Dublin for inspiring me with the Truth. Thank you for you, who took the time to read this. God, if you think my testimony can help just one person, so be it. (I have this voice/idea in my head right now :"Ask them to pray for you!" Another voice/idea says:, "No don't bother them!". Know, the last thing that came to my mind is like : "Ask the children of God to pray for you!" I don't hear real voices, all this is just the thoughts that are in my head. But this thought won't leave. )

I had a similar experience with OA when I was looking for healing from my food addiction. There were people there who said their dog was their higher power but I couldn’t say Jesus because it might offend other addicts in program. I realized while some principles may have been helpful, most people just changed idols. Their sponsor became their “discipler,” meetings became their church, and the Blue Book became their Bible. Their identity was their addiction, not their Savior. Thank you for addressing this.

Pastor Jeff I truly believe God sent this sermon to me. I have been addicted to benzos for over 6 years. Right now I'm tapering off them and I have lost count of the tines I've tried to quit. This concept of seeking fulfillment through worship is groundbreaking . I too believe that we are not always an addict and that addiction is not a "normal disease" . I truly believe it is rooted in a deeper, spiritual issue. Thank you for posting this. I sent this video to a friend who is also struggling with worship issues. I pray he has a hearing heart and watches this. Others please pray for my friend and pray for me too. I declare in the name of Jesus that I will only worship Jesus and go to Him for my loneliness, pleasure seeking, and peace.

I was doing so good, I have never felt closer to God. I thanked God so much for helping me, and taking it away, I wasnt craving anymore. And tonight I just relapsed, and I'm scared, I have let God down BIG TIME! I don't know what to do. I prayed but I still feel guilty. I think he has had enough of me, and I'm scared. I have been letting him down all my life, but this time bad.

I have a girl friend that has an addiction. I am trying so hard for her to fight the addiction. I go to church every Sunday and pray that she wins this fight. I ask everyone to please pray for her. If you got to know her, you will see a beautiful woman inside and out. She is so sweet. This drug addiction is making her something that she is not. I find it hard to turn my back on her. Please people understand. I dislike the people around this area that partake in this drug addiction. she has many people who supply her this drug because she is extremely beautiful on the outside as well as the inside. I ask anyone who is considering selling drugs or sharing their drugs. Please people, heroin is hurting her. I cry myself to sleep because I know the world is missing to get to know such a great woman/friend/mother/daughter/aunt/etc. I beg everyone.

I haven’t left the house in about a year. My depression and anxiety has left me on my couch. I pray and ask for guidance all day. I am physically crippled by mental and spiritual bankruptcy. I don’t know what to do anymore. Wife and 2 small children and I am confined to a couch. I can’t provide for my family. Has God forsaken me...

Pray for me to stop smoking and drinking x

Look at God He's so wonderful He does mighty things in each life surrendered.

"God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Watching this message while currently struggling with alcohol and marijuana. I, too, for a long time have known it's a SIN issue, a rebellion from God and a deep, deep source of depravity in my life. Pray for me. This message has me weeping throughout.

As an addict, i dont have a hard time believing that seventy five percent of the day. You have to think about where youll get it, how youll pay for it, how youll do it, how youll hide it, how youll not get caught in the process of getting it, how much you have, how much you dont, will it last through the weekend, etc. So it at least takes up much of a day. Thank God, i found Jesus. So i gues i should say, former addict. Praise God.

I enjoy all your videos! God is transforming my life too even though I was raised in church my whole life I haven't been of service and I have never actually really read the bible or prayed daily until now, It's never too late, thank you for the motivation to continue my walk with Christ.

drugs is how satan destroys souls

Something i needed to hear. Addiction for some of us is like an unbeatable foe....

Please pray for me i was a crack and heroin addict the lord delievered me but i smoked cannabis b4 heavy addiction, i used cannabis to get off hard drugs. but im stuck on it now, ive wanted to change for so long! please pray for me. god bless me

I’m a mature Christian and I go out and save people all the time, yet I still struggle with sexual addiction. Please pray for me. I’ve asked God for a year to help me overcome it. Yet I feel nothing. I love Jesus, yet my sins still cling to me

What a powerful message...

Powerful testimony.. you, my brother carry yourself well. Your videos inspire me to live for Christ. Despite what my upbringing would say about your attire, your message speaks volumes. It is clear when God has a mans heart no matter if he is wearing a tie or his best T keep it real bro I love you

It is true that people who don't believe in God are capable of overcoming addiction, but it's done through idolizing self! If we only give something up for what we lose on earth, we're out of balance. That was my problem. If it's not for God, we aren't really free. Something else will replace it.

I am overcoming addiction of alcohol and depression . it's Christmas today and I need prayer ...thank you ...amen brother !

You totally described how I grew up all the way to age 17! I love your authenticity brother! You are so anointed! Thank you for sharing! May God bless you and your family & may He continue to use you and your testimony for His kingdom & glory!

Spot on. Addiction is NOT a disease.

I was in and out of AA (Alcoholics anonymous ) for many years throughout my youth and adult life . When I got in legal trouble for fighting- DUIs -etc. I would be court ordered to this treatment. The care was combined with anger management and other means of behavioral control mechanisms. I was told by the people in them rooms i would always be an addict . I had developed a sense that i was a victim of some kind due to biological reasons and environmental factors in my upbringing. Then the Lord showed me it is his laws that i break over and over again by "seeing and understanding "what is written in his word. I knew I was under his wrath, The self entitlement transferred to fear. I became immediately aware that i was the problem and I am responsible for all my actions . That same day I stopped getting drunk and drugging and haven't been controlled by excessive use of chemicals of any kind . As i read more of what offends God in his word, I began repenting of my self righteousness,fornicating , vulgarity, outburst of anger, using the Lords name in vain, slander, revengeful speech the list goes on and on . I am not perfect by any means but i now take responsibility for my life and live in light of what God did to save me from his own wrath. Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Only one response to that, Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. Romans 6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Colossians 3:5-10 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Good sermon Pastor Jeff Durbin

this testament is so powerful and I started tearing up just hearing your introduction, I am having trouble with alcohol and this really connected

I overcame alcohol and prescription drugs as soon as I got to the end of myself and some very toxic relationships. As I look back now 9 years later it was a supernatural deliverance and it happened very quickly but that was just the beginning of the journey and pain I would have to walkout the next 10 years. But I wouldn' t change a thing because he had to "smash my life" as Jeff stated.

So cool. I didn't know Apologia church started as a kind of recovery church. I have been clean and sober for over 27 years and have been a believer in Christ for 17. I did get sober in a 12 step program and still attend for my self and the be the light in the rooms. I don't see contradiction from the program of AA and the Bible. The way people take it, I do, but not what the Big Book says and the Bible. In fact, I have noted many scriptures in my big book where it is obviously from the Bible. We recently started a Life Recovery meeting using the Life Recovery Bible that has the 12 steps and devotionals. It is a great way to have the best of both worlds in fellowship and encourage believers in God and in their recovery. The whole point of the big book is to get people to come to a belief in God. I won't argue about it as I see God calls people to different ministries. I choose to be the light in the darkness at meetings and to share Christs love wherever I can. I pray that your ministry continues to reach the hurting lost. Christ is the answer. :)

I was there for that in person, Great Day that was. To God be the Glory.

I needed to hear this. my mind is warped. please anyone pray for me

Falling in love with a stupidly man made phone. I caught myself looking to far into the flesh, the desires are too much but the pain my family deals with. I’m trying to repent, making the case I’m a sinner, God’s son knows this because he knows you’ve gone through life beat up from the feat up. There’s power in his name & he’ll be there in spirit always.

One preacher said u don't need 12 steps all u need is one step, surrender, not putting down AA Because we need FELLOWSHIP! Amen brother

Probably the best sermon I have ever heard for combatting addiction! I've been struggling for years (over 30yrs) of one addiction after another, as a so called Christian, now I have heard how to ultimately be free. Who or what am I choosing to Worship, God or idol? I'm pursuing God. I thank God for using Jeff's life in a way that I can relate to. Thank you Pastor Jeff for your example of walking in Truth & proving that with God, it's not only possible but freeing. Confess & repent=Worship

I have studied the correlation, similarities, and differences between the AA doctrine and the Bible and I find no inconsistencies between the two. Remember, the group that proceeded AA was The Oxford Group. The Oxford Group was a Christian group and derived six steps directly from the Bible for members to get sober. Bill and Bob took those six steps and expanded them to 12 to eliminate the loopholes that they knew us crafty alcoholics would find.

Very good sermon as usual! I've never suffered from alcohol or drug addictions. I do however have an addiction to masturbation and not being attracted to people (asexuality). No I was not abused. However I believe I was emotionally neglected, not sure if that's what caused it. But my main addiction is food addiction. I feel like it's a vicious cycle of shame and guilt. The best I can do is plan my whole day out on what I'm going to eat. I continue to pray that I will overcome this. My binge eating has gone away mostly, but I still overeat to were I feel sick and spend many days in isolation outside of work. Often I feel food is my only friend. I am vegan and try to eat healthy, but most days I feel like I have failed. I also feel like I'm so fat/ugly no one would ever love me and am embarrassed with how I look. I would like to see a video on some milder addictions like this on your channel. Thank you!

I've struggled with a pain medication addiction. Prayers appreciated. By His grace I have some clean time but the cravings are still there.

For those of you struggling with drug use or addiction please consider contacting or seeking out a chapter of Reformers Unanimous in your area. You can Google them to get more info. God bless.

Thankyou brother I am exactly where you were when you crawled into the closet. This message is just what I need to finally climb out of the rut of sin i am stuck in. I have been worried because many christians say you should be changed in an instant (which im sure God can do) but where is the growth in that? What lesson is truly learned? It surely wasn't easy for Jesus to go to the cross and he didnt deserve it, I have brought this pain upon myself. God bless you and thankyou again. Keep preaching the good news we need more like you out there.

Wow, this sermon was really good..... Why don't I hear sermons like this where I live?!

Thank you for this speech. One of a kind and couldn't have come at a better time. Thank you Jeff for being strong.

Jeff you are a great role model and an apostle like pastor. World needs more Christians like you. GBY

For some (and I include myself in that group), we can't get to trusting that God is all we need until we get to the point where God is all we have.

TY for this powerful word.🙏💙

This message speaks to the core of my personal make up. I pray that that it leads to a positive change in my life! 🙏👍😇