The Bondage Breaker

The Bondage Breaker: How to Turn Your Defeats into V-I-C-T-O-R-Y

Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Dwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.

Offering

Does addiction seem like an unbeatable challenge? Here are 7 steps you can take to turn your defeats into victory.
Saturday, April 12, 2014

More In This Series

03/29/2014
Innocently deceived. Ruthlessly held. This series will take a closer look at the Enemy's tactics in this raging spiritual warfare, and how freedom is not just possible, but promised.
04/05/2014
No matter where you go on this planet there are always three things that people universally love. Could the greatest blessings God gave to humanity be the very things the Enemy uses to enslave us?
04/19/2014
Feeling trapped by addiction? What if the very same power that freed Jesus from the tomb was available to free you from you're own bondage?
04/26/2014
The same One who can break your bondage to sin can also wash you clean and keep you that way for the rest of your life.

“The Bondage Breaker:
How to Turn Your Defeats into V-I-C-T-O-R-Y”

www.pmchurch.tv

The Principle
• Luke 8:1-3
• Luke 11:24-26
• You must what you .

• Re video gaming:

  • Philip Zimbardo in an Aug 2011 TED talk: “Boys’ brains are being digitally rewired in a totally new way, for change, novelty, excitement, and constant arousal. They’re totally out of sync in traditional classes, which are analog, static, and interactively passive. And they’re totally out of sync in relationships [with young women], which build gradually and subtly.” (www.TED.com TED Talk, Aug 2011/quoted in Leadership Fall 2011)

The Plan

  • #1—Replace hi-visual/hi-tech stimulation with .

     Psalm 46:10—“Be and know that I am God.”

    •   Richard Foster: “In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three

      things: , , and .”

    •   Desire of Ages: “When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait

      before Him, the of the soul makes more distinct the voice of

      God.” (363)

  • #2—Replace self-absorbed stimulation with .

    Wall Street Journal “Can Faith Rewrite an Addict’s Brain?”: “Frequent involvement in seems to help in the treatment of those who do abuse alcohol and drugs [according to a research report to be released next month in Alcohol Treatment Quarterly]. . . . Our study showed spiritual experiences predicted abstinence, increased social behavior and reduced narcissistic behavior. . . . Why might this combination work? Neuroscientists, including Andrew Newberg in his 2010 book ‘How God Changes Your Brain,’ are beginning to uncover what happens to the mind when the unconscious neurological foundations of addiction are short- circuited by [1] spiritual awakening and [2] a new focus on others. Neuronal pathways in the brain appear to be instantaneously realigned.” (WSJ 3-28-2014)

  • #3—Replace hormonal stimulation with /physical exertion.
  • #4—Replace dietary stimulation with .

     “I have come to realize that the ‘lust on/off switch’ primarily starts with my .” (Graduate student email)

 “Physical habits have a great deal to do with the success of every individual. The more careful you are in your , the more simple and unstimulating the food that sustains the body in its harmonious action, the more clear will be your conception of duty. . . . The has much to

do with the disposition to enter into temptation and commit sin.” (Counsels on

Diet and Food 52)

  • #5—Replace beverage stimulation with .

     The stimulation that injects into the nervous and circulatory systems, pumping you up before dropping you down, is an artificial stimulation for both you and your body.

  • #6—Replace stress stimulation with .
     Blaise Pascal, the French mathematician and philosopher and Christian of the

    seventeenth century, wrote: “All the unhappiness of men arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay in their own room.” (Ruth Barton, Invitation to Solitude and Silence 9)

  • #7—Replace some of your old friends with .
     April 16—Wednesday 7 p.m.—a special prayer and anointing service for all
    •   Counseling and Testing Center— (269) 471-3470/

      www.andrews.edu/services/ctcenter/resources

    •   www.MichianaSober.org for local Alcoholics Anonymous groups
    •   www.alcoholics-anonyous.org for national directory
    •   Sexaholics Anonymous/Sundays 5-6 p.m./call Ed (480) 274-8114
    •   Google for local information for other 12-Steps

      Desire of Ages: “Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am sinful, very sinful. You may be; but the worse you are, the more you need Jesus. He turns no weeping, contrite one away. He does not tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage. Freely will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration.” (568)

      You must replace what you remove! 

Offering for July 5, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

Growing up I was taught at an early age to show respect and honor to God and country.

For example, I was taught to never put anything on top of the Bible, because the Word of God is holy; and to never to let the flag of our country touch the ground, because people have sacrificed their lives for the liberty of our country. When it comes to tithes and offerings, we should always honor God by giving to Him the first part of our income and blessings; not what’s left after we have paid the bills.

Jesus addressed the concerns of people today, “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:32-33, NKJV).

The promise is that if we put Christ and His work first in everything, He will take care of all our needs. No need to be concerned about our food, clothing, or anything. God will surely come through and not only “add these things” but abundantly open the windows of heaven for us.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

VBS at Niles Westside Church

Keepers of the Kingdom - Standing Strong in Today's Battle for Truth. July 14-18, from 9 - 11:45 AM at Niles Westside Adventist Church (1105 Grant St, Niles) for kids in Pre-K (age 4) - 6th grade. Please register early online at www.nileswestside.org. Email nileswestsidevbs@gmail.com or call 269-683-5998 with questions.