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“And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken  captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:26).

Around the world countless souls struggle with addictions. The addictions range from eating disorders, to alcohol or drug related addictions, sexual and pornography addictions, video gaming and gambling, or even stealing or lying.

There definitely are no shortages of addictions, but what about a cure or solution? Should those trapped by addictions just try to do better or try harder to escape their captive vices? Is the answer simply will power or self-improvement exercises? Those strong holds of sin that Satan has upon them cannot be broken just by the will of the flesh or the desires of others.

Trying to do better may work for a little while, then when the captive has a “bad day” they will run back to the flesh and its old ways. They will start to see their addiction as a friend and not a foe. It’s like the “Stockholm Syndrome” where the captive builds a love-hate relationship with their captor. They love the sin, but hate the circumstances it causes them. Some even hate the pain that it brings upon those who love and care for them, but feel there is just no way they will ever escape sin’s captivity.

So, is there a solution? Is there any way the captive can be set free from the strongholds of addiction? Is there any hope for those held captive by their attractions to sin? YES! There is one power that is greater.

Crucifixion is greater than any addiction.

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:6). It takes those held captive dying out to the desires of the flesh. This is accomplished by realizing that it was those sins which attract us, that nailed Jesus to Calvary’s cruel cross. Jesus died upon the cross to redeem sinful man back to God. The finished work that He has done is greater than any stronghold that sin might have. Putting your true faith in Christ and giving yourself whole heartedly to Him gives victory over sin. Jesus did not endure the cross, only to then leave us to battle sin by ourselves or through our own will power. Mankind is simply not able to do that and this is why He came and died for our sins.

If we are to be crucified with Christ we must examine the principles of the crucifixion.

Crucifixion was public.

This horrendous act was done on public display and not secretly as a private act of punishment. All the world could see that Jesus was nailed to the cross and died. Our dying out to sin, through Christ, should also be displayed publicly. Anyone around Calvary that day could witness a crucifixion had taken place. When we die out to sin through Him the world should see and know this as well. Sometimes going public with our addictions is the starting point for deliverance. This involves admittance and accountability toward God first, then to those who will hold us accountable. Isolation from those who care is a warning sign of addiction.

Crucifixion was painful.

Not only was this form of death excruciatingly painful but it also was a shameful way to die. Our former life of sin that we say we have died out to, should also be shameful to our memories. Those who claim to have died out to sin but refer to the days they were captive as the “good ole days” or brag about how much they sinned without showing remorse may not have truly died to it.

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). This does not mean one shouldn’t testify of what God brought them out of, but they must give more glory to God than they do the sin. If you cannot talk about your sin with regret, then chances are you have no real remorse or repentance.

Crucifixion was permanent.

This form of execution would end the earthly life of every recipient except Christ. Because Jesus was the perfect sinless sacrifice, His death was not permanent but brought eternal salvation to all who will believe. No one else who was crucified would ever return to their old life or walk the same as before.

To speed up the crucifixion process the soldiers would break the legs of the crucified to stop their struggle to breathe and to survive. The legs of Jesus were not broken for He did not fight to live and lose the fight. He came to die and gave His life willingly for all mankind.

For one to be crucified with Christ they too must come willingly to Him and have the legs of sin broken, never to walk the same again. This is not to say there will never again be temptation, but it does mean that old sin will never be the same. We guard ourselves against the temptations by making no provision for the flesh.

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:14). If they do not allow their legs of sin to be broken, the strongholds of sin will eventually break them.

One thing is for sure, we all will die one day. We can die in our sin, and spend eternity apart from God in the lake of fire. Or we can die out to sin, through Jesus Christ, and spend eternity in Heaven with Him. Being set free involves true faith in the finished work of Jesus upon the cross and repentance toward God. This is not just through saying words or performing works, but through dying out to sin through Him. Bring your addictions to God today. Make them public to Him, reveal the shame and pain they have caused and let Him permanently deliver you from them.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

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