Lying about others!

Proverbs 25:18 (NLT) Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an axe, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.

Lying about others destroys our integrity. Dishonesty about others can lead to us believing the lies. We can lose the ability to tell the difference between truth and lies. By believing our own lies we deceive ourselves, alienate ourselves from God and lose credibility in our relationships with others.

Lying about others can lead to injustice. When we falsely accuse others of thing that are untrue others can hear and believe the lies we tell and treat the accused unjustly.

Lying about others can undo our new found way of living. It can create conflict in our relationships and destroy trust. Recovery requires honesty in our relationships (no matter how hard it may seem our how much it may hurt) To grow in recovery we need to our old way of living, which includes our lies and deception remain in the past. Through application of the steps we have accept Christ's gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10) and we need to renew our commitment to Him daily. Through His gift we need to develop a new character, head in a different direction and have a new way of thinking and acting through the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

Our most important relationship!

Friendship with God is a privilege. Jesus called His disciples – His friends. We too are invited to be His friends and share in the most important friendship we will ever share in. Friends talk face to face and God wants to talk to each of us face to face daily, not because we are perfect, gifted or powerful but because He loves us so much He sent His Son to die for us so we could enjoy everlasting friendship with Him.

John 16:23-24 (NLT)

At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy

Compromising Relationships

Our relationships with others should never compromise our relationship with God. We should not form binding relationships with those who do not believe in our recovery (non believers) because it might weaken our commitment to recovery and to God. We must be active in our witness to what God has done in us, without locking ourselves into personal or business relationships that can lead to relapse and separation from God.

Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NLT)

RELAXED COMPOSURE

"He makes me lie down in green pastures." (Psalm 23:2)

It is good to be alive, to feel the sun or rain on your face. Sure we still have 'bad days' but on the whole, life without the old hangovers, the old sickness, the old guilt feelings is just great. Peace of mind and a clear conscience are more important to us than any passing pleasure or personal gain. When we look back on our lives, we have to admit that there have been times when we have 'enjoyed' those things which were not good for us. At first our addictions and compulsive behaviour brought us a certain amount of pleasure, but in time we were to learn that there was a very high price to be paid.

Discussions with others will bring almost unanimous agreement that substance abuse and compulsion have robbed us of vision, appreciation, enjoyment. The wonderful world of nature was hidden from us. There was no time to relax and meditate upon the beauty which is everywhere in God's world. Submission to God enforces a laying down of previous compulsions so we can be encompassed within a new lay-out. One of calm, composure, contentment.

MEDITATION

Only through a right relationship with God can I enjoy life to the full. In following Him, "He makes me lie down in green pastures"; He brings lasting joys and pleasures into my life.
I will try to share these real joys with other people. I will not talk or boast of those things which look or sound great but which only brought me unhappiness.

PRAYER

I pray that I may maintain a right relationship with God, I pray that I may enjoy the green pastures He leads me through.