“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight” (Proverbs 12:22).
Dishonesty is a part of addiction. Have you ever met an addict who didn’t lie? If yes, let me know. I’ll send you $1 for every addict you can name who didn’t lie.
Psychiatrist Dr. Beth Tumarkin explains. “An addict can’t continue in his addiction without lying to himself.”
We lie to ourselves before we lie to anyone else. Here are just a few of the lies that addicts tell themselves:
- “I don’t have a problem.”
- “It’s not an addiction.”
- “I can quit anytime.”
- “It’s not that bad.”
- “I’m not hurting anyone else.”
- “What I’m doing is justified.”
- “This is someone else’s fault.”
You can walk in freedom. Or you can live a life of deceit. But you can’t do both.
Recovery Step: Get sober. But first, get honest.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
