Christ centered groups for people struggling with addictions, realize that their addiction is not the problem, it is only a symptom. The problem is sin.
The groups that meet in a secular setting, where people are expected to give their wills over to a "Higher Power", or god as they "understand" him, but not the One and only God who created all things, do struggle, and even admit they do. There refusal to except a God who will not only forgive them of all sin, but will deliver them from the power of sin which keeps them in a continuous cycle of repetative behavior, is the reason why they continue to struggle. In Luke 4:18 Jesus says, "...to preach deliverance to the captives...to set at liberty them that are bruised." Here the word 'bruised' is a primary verb, 2352 thrauo (throw-o), which means, To crush. These people are crushed under the weight of their sin.
Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy burden, and I will give you rest." He was talking about the burden of sin.
People who won't take this burden to the cross of Christ, and leave it there, are going to continue to struggle with this load of sin.
The "rest" Jesus was refering to is the feeling of having that burden of guilt lifted (Rom.8:1-2). But He takes it a step further, and deliveres us from the bondage of sin (For sin shall not have dominion over you...Rom 6:14a., ...shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption Rom. 8: 21). People who don't get this deliverence will continue to struggle under the load of sin that they choose to carry themselves by refusing to except the gospel of Christ, which is the "Power of God to Save" (Rom.8:21).
By the Blood of the Lamb, and the word of our testimony, we can overcome the enemy and all his devices that tempt us to sin (Rev. 12:11). As we confess Christ's death, burial and resurrection. We are continuously washed and regenerated by the Holy Spirit of God (Titus 3:5). The testifying to others and our giving praise to God for what He is doing in our lives through Christ in us, plus praying in the spirit to build up our inner man in our most holy faith (Jude 20; 1 Cor. 14: 2; Rom. 8: 26), literally empowers us to defeat the will of the soul man in favor of the will of the spirit man.
Colossians 1: 9-14
We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will, with all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives. Then you will be able to live as the Lord wants and will always do what pleases him. Your lives will produce all kinds of good deeds, and you will grow in your knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from his glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience. And with joy give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for his people in the kingdom of light. He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us safe into the kingdom of his dear Son, by whom we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. (Col.1: 9b.-14 GNT).
