Narcotics Anonymous & The Born Again Believer

There are countless individuals who are recovering from the stronghold of addiction and many of those individuals have chosen to adhere to the literature of the 12 step programs and to the Bible. It is not my goal to force anyone to leave their fellowship with NA or AA; however, it is my goal to reveal the truth in God’s word concerning those whom He has called by His name. In this session we will compare the Truth in God’s word with the literature of Narcotics Anonymous. In order for us to get a better understanding of what we are up against, we will first define what a stronghold is as oppose to what NA literature teaches, which is that we suffer from an incurable disease of mind, body and spirit.

Stronghold: 1. A place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld. 2.  It is also an incorrect thinking pattern that has molded itself into our way of thinking. 3. Another more descriptive definition is a vice grip that holds you hostage, a mindset that accepts a situation as unchangeable or impossible even though that situation is contrary to the will of God. 4. Something that captures you and you see no way out.

NA’s definition of an addict and of addiction: 1. An addict is a man or woman whose life is controlled by drugs. We are people in the grip of a continuing and progressive illness whose ends are always the same: jails, institutions and death. 2. Addiction is a disease which involves more than simple drug use. Some of us believe that our disease was present long before the first time we used.  We did not choose to become addicts. 3.  We suffer from a disease which expresses itself in ways that are anti-social and make detection, diagnosis and treatment difficult.

   Once we identify ourselves as addicts, help becomes possible.

As Christians and born again believers in Jesus Christ we believe what the word of God says is truth which is:

1. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”

2.  Galatians 2:19-20, “For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 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.”

3.  Romans 6:5-6, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 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.

Now if we are dead in Christ from the rudiments of the world like Paul describes in the book of Colossians, then why, as though living in the world, are we subject to ordinances. (Col. 2:20)  The word ordinance in the Greek translates to the word ‘dogma’, which is defined as the rules and requirements of the law of Moses; carrying a suggestion of severity and of threatened judgment.

Now let’s compare NA/AA teaching with scripture:

 NA/AA literature:

Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average.] (p58, AA Big Book)  Now for the Christian who attends these meetings and hears this, what do you think is being created in the mindset? FEAR of leaving this program. (Here we see the suggestion of severity and the threat of judgment if one doesn’t adhere to and conform to this program’s instruction)

The literature also states, “We realize that we are never cured and carry the disease within us all our lives. We have a disease from which we do recover. Each day we are given another chance. We are convinced that there is only one way for us to live, and that is the N.A. way.” (Who Is an Addict, Basic Text Chapter One)

           

The Word of God:

2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
and 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

Romans 8:1-2, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” In this text Paul is telling his readers, in light of the foregoing reminder of their continuing sinfulness, they must now recall their acceptance, immunity, and security in Christ.

 Our confidence is not in our own human abilities to recover from such an affliction. And we do not threaten those who choose not to submit to God. It says in Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” In other words, Those who are in step with the Spirit should reach out to the believer whose sin has ensnared them, but should be cautious lest sin also ensnare them in the process.

NA/AA Literature:

"To us, the Realm of the Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive, or forbidding...." Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 46

The Word of God:

Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

NA/AA Literature:

Where most traditional religions provide authoritative spokesmen on what is or is not acceptable human behavior “ in the eyes of God” , AA does not. In fact, the very beginning of AA was based upon a very simple idea:
“Why don’ t you choose your own conception of God?” “It was only a matter of being willing to believe in a Power greater than myself. Nothing more was required of me to make my beginning.”  (Big Book pg.12)

"We suggest that you find a substitute for this destructive power, alcohol, and turn to a Higher Power, regardless of the name by which you may identify that power. We suggest that you turn your will and your life over to God, as you understand Him." (The Clergy Ask About Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 9.)

The Word of God:

Exodus 20:3, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” This is self explanatory along with two additional scriptures. Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” and John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Note: If you have read this far into the comparisons of NA literature to the bible, you can clearly see that both cannot be telling the truth. One or the other is in error. In Galatians 5:19 it describes drunkenness as the works of the flesh, which is sin, but in NA/AA literature, drunkenness is defined as a disease; something that is not our choice and is incurable. 

NA/AA Literature:

"Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps…(Step 12)

The Word of God:

Man’s natural state before being born again is being spiritually dead, not asleep. The prerequisite for being alive in Christ is very different from what NA literature describes as a ‘spiritual awakening’ as a result of the steps. Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Note: Were we restored to life together with Christ as a result of believing in our hearts and confessing with our mouths that Jesus is our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9) or did we have a spiritual awakening as a result of the 12 steps? The Greek translation of the word ‘quickened’ is zōopoieō, and it means to cause to live, make alive, give life or to restore life.

NA/AA Literature:

“Based on our experience, we believe that every addict, including the potential addict, suffers from an incurable disease of mind, body and spirit. (NA basic text)

The Word of God:

1 Corinthians 6:9-11, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Note: If we were washed by the Spirit of our God from our sin and if we are sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, how are we then suffering from an incurable disease at the same time? Even the prospective and likely to become addicts suffer from this disease according to the basic text. 

NA/AA Literature:

The only alternatives to recovery are jails, institutions, dereliction and death. Unfortunately, our disease makes us deny our addiction. If you are an addict, you too can find a new way of life through the N.A. program that would not otherwise be possible.

(Again fear is permeated throughout this statement so that individuals will not consider available recovery elsewhere)

The Word of God:

Mark 9:21-23, “And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And oft times it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Luke 18:27, “And he said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

Note: Jesus Christ is the only foundation for spiritual life. In 2 Corinthians 3:10-11 Paul had resolved to preach nothing but Christ crucified. He writes, “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” We are also told in Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” We must be aware of the dangers of enticing words; how many are ruined by the flattery of those who lie in wait to deceive, and by the false disguises and fair appearances of unscriptural principles and ungodly practices.

Romans 16:17-18 states, “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”


By: Carole L. S. Rouse