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Creflo Dollar

Creflo Dollar - The War Against Habits and Addictions

July 2, 2025 | S25 E160 | 28:52

Creflo Dollar - The War Against Habits and Addictions
Join the dynamic leadership and teaching of Dr. Creflo and Taffi Dollar.
#inActive #War #SpiritualWarfare #Habits #Addiction #Flesh #Selfishness #Sin #Temptation #Soul #SpiritualHealth #Idols #Idolatry #Focus #Distractions #Distraction

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Creflo Dollar | Creflo Dollar - The War Against Habits and Addictions | July 2, 2025
  • ...
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  • Male announcer: this program is brought to you, in part, by the
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  • Partners and friends of creflo dollar ministries.
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  • Coming up next on "changing your world."
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  • Creflo dollar: real recovery isn't just about not doing
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  • Something wrong or unhealthy.
  • 00:00:14.827 --> 00:00:18.130
  • It's about living daily in connection with god and learning
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  • To live according to his word, real recovery.
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  • I'm living daily, i have a daily connection with god, that's
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  • Real recovery.
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  • Real recovery, i'm learning to live according to his word,
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  • That's real recovery.
  • 00:00:36.582 --> 00:00:38.016
  • I'm talking about recovering.
  • 00:00:38.016 --> 00:00:39.351
  • I mean, deep down i'm recovering, i'm living daily
  • 00:00:39.351 --> 00:00:43.155
  • With god, that's real recovery.
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  • ♪ this is your world, so let's vow to make it a better place ♪
  • 00:01:18.590 --> 00:01:26.198
  • ♪ let every heart that needs to know, your love is here ♪
  • 00:01:26.198 --> 00:01:32.638
  • ♪ to stay ♪
  • 00:01:32.638 --> 00:01:33.972
  • ♪ oh-oh, it's time we live a new life ♪
  • 00:01:33.972 --> 00:01:38.343
  • ♪ oh-oh, let his love shine bright in you ♪
  • 00:01:38.343 --> 00:01:43.448
  • ♪ oh-oh, we're saved by his grace, so we embrace your ♪
  • 00:01:43.448 --> 00:01:46.752
  • ♪ love today ♪
  • 00:01:46.752 --> 00:01:48.654
  • ♪ we are changed ♪♪
  • 00:01:48.654 --> 00:01:53.392
  • Creflo: there are different kinds of indulgences.
  • 00:01:53.458 --> 00:01:56.995
  • There are the big, gross kind of indulgences, which i'll show you
  • 00:01:56.995 --> 00:02:01.133
  • Now if you'll go with me to 1 corinthians chapter 6:9
  • 00:02:01.133 --> 00:02:04.770
  • Through 11.
  • 00:02:04.770 --> 00:02:06.104
  • The ones that everybody's familiar with, you know,
  • 00:02:06.104 --> 00:02:09.174
  • Adultery, and murder, and--let's look at this together, verses 9
  • 00:02:09.174 --> 00:02:16.381
  • Through 11 in the mirror.
  • 00:02:16.381 --> 00:02:17.716
  • He says, "to live out of sync with one another."
  • 00:02:17.716 --> 00:02:23.455
  • "to live out of sync with one another does not mirror your
  • 00:02:23.455 --> 00:02:27.826
  • Participation as fellow-heirs in god's kingdom," when you live
  • 00:02:27.826 --> 00:02:32.531
  • Out of sync with one another.
  • 00:02:32.531 --> 00:02:36.101
  • "the entire business of abusing people is foreign to our design
  • 00:02:36.101 --> 00:02:41.873
  • And does not become you.
  • 00:02:41.873 --> 00:02:47.546
  • Why live a lie?
  • 00:02:47.546 --> 00:02:50.182
  • Seeing people as sex objects for sale, is just another form
  • 00:02:50.182 --> 00:02:56.288
  • Of idolatry."
  • 00:02:56.288 --> 00:02:58.056
  • You've assigned that a greater value.
  • 00:02:58.056 --> 00:03:02.894
  • "having a secret lover is the same deception.
  • 00:03:02.894 --> 00:03:08.600
  • Why pretend that you're someone you're not, by deceitfully
  • 00:03:08.600 --> 00:03:15.140
  • Dressing up [like an actor playing a role]
  • 00:03:15.140 --> 00:03:18.076
  • In wearing fine, royal clothing, only to exploit others
  • 00:03:18.076 --> 00:03:23.181
  • Financially or to exploit them sexually," or a little of both.
  • 00:03:23.181 --> 00:03:29.288
  • So, he's talking about how we deal with other people for
  • 00:03:29.288 --> 00:03:33.325
  • Financial or sexual gain.
  • 00:03:33.325 --> 00:03:36.862
  • All right, next verse.
  • 00:03:36.862 --> 00:03:39.298
  • "the list continues."
  • 00:03:39.298 --> 00:03:41.066
  • So, here's the list of indulgences besides what we
  • 00:03:41.066 --> 00:03:44.136
  • Just read.
  • 00:03:44.136 --> 00:03:46.305
  • "people who lust after money are dangerous," indulgences.
  • 00:03:46.305 --> 00:03:53.445
  • "they think nothing of cheating in business, [or marriage].
  • 00:03:53.445 --> 00:03:59.718
  • "they think nothing of cheating in business, [or marriage for
  • 00:03:59.718 --> 00:04:02.387
  • That matter]", why?
  • 00:04:02.387 --> 00:04:04.189
  • Because it's money.
  • 00:04:04.189 --> 00:04:06.858
  • "they've done it for so long that it has become an addiction.
  • 00:04:06.858 --> 00:04:12.331
  • It's like being a chronic drinker.
  • 00:04:12.331 --> 00:04:15.967
  • Then there are those who would typically hurl abusive insults."
  • 00:04:15.967 --> 00:04:22.207
  • He's talking about these are indulgences.
  • 00:04:22.207 --> 00:04:25.110
  • "they hurl abusive insults-- injuring another's reputation by
  • 00:04:25.110 --> 00:04:31.683
  • Denigrating them."
  • 00:04:31.683 --> 00:04:33.985
  • Insults, that thing that happens with our mouth, it's
  • 00:04:33.985 --> 00:04:38.323
  • An indulgence.
  • 00:04:38.323 --> 00:04:40.325
  • He says, "they are like predators out on the hunt."
  • 00:04:40.325 --> 00:04:43.562
  • He says these people that injure people's reputation by
  • 00:04:43.562 --> 00:04:47.332
  • Denigrating them, he says, "they're like people that are
  • 00:04:47.332 --> 00:04:49.501
  • Out on the hunt, going around seeing who they can take apart."
  • 00:04:49.501 --> 00:04:55.507
  • These things are not reflecting the kingdom of god-society
  • 00:04:55.507 --> 00:04:59.745
  • At all.
  • 00:04:59.745 --> 00:05:03.281
  • Some of you can relate to that lifestyle, but look at you now.
  • 00:05:03.281 --> 00:05:08.520
  • Now, let me pause.
  • 00:05:08.520 --> 00:05:10.255
  • The stuff i've called out so far, how many of you at least
  • 00:05:10.255 --> 00:05:12.824
  • Know about that lifestyle?
  • 00:05:12.824 --> 00:05:14.993
  • How many of you can relate to that lifestyle?
  • 00:05:14.993 --> 00:05:16.895
  • Not that you did it-- but you can relate.
  • 00:05:16.895 --> 00:05:18.730
  • You know what i'm talking about, you know?
  • 00:05:18.730 --> 00:05:20.065
  • I know you quiet right now, but you--it ain't like you don't
  • 00:05:20.065 --> 00:05:21.800
  • Know what i'm talking about, all right?
  • 00:05:21.800 --> 00:05:26.138
  • Here's the good news.
  • 00:05:26.138 --> 00:05:27.472
  • "some of you can relate to that lifestyle, but look at you now.
  • 00:05:27.472 --> 00:05:30.442
  • You've been cleansed, restored to total harmony [and holiness]
  • 00:05:30.442 --> 00:05:36.515
  • And made righteous."
  • 00:05:36.515 --> 00:05:38.417
  • He said, "yeah, you knew about that, but now you've
  • 00:05:38.417 --> 00:05:41.052
  • Been washed.
  • 00:05:41.052 --> 00:05:42.421
  • Yeah, you participated in that, but now you're cleansed."
  • 00:05:42.421 --> 00:05:45.690
  • He says, "the name of the lord jesus declares your salvation;
  • 00:05:45.690 --> 00:05:48.794
  • The spirit of our god realizes salvation that is inside
  • 00:05:48.794 --> 00:05:52.731
  • Of you."
  • 00:05:52.731 --> 00:05:54.099
  • So instead of me sitting up here and saying, "you're gonna
  • 00:05:54.099 --> 00:05:56.101
  • Go to hell for this, you're gonna go to hell for that, you
  • 00:05:56.101 --> 00:05:58.236
  • Gonna to hell for this, you're going to hell for that," i'm
  • 00:05:58.236 --> 00:06:00.539
  • Saying, "yeah, you used to do that, but you've been washed.
  • 00:06:00.539 --> 00:06:04.843
  • Yeah, you used to be that, but you've been cleansed.
  • 00:06:04.843 --> 00:06:07.746
  • Yeah, look at you now."
  • 00:06:07.746 --> 00:06:12.484
  • So, it's not hopeless.
  • 00:06:12.484 --> 00:06:15.287
  • He's trying to explain to you where all these things'll
  • 00:06:15.287 --> 00:06:17.122
  • Take you.
  • 00:06:17.122 --> 00:06:19.024
  • Somebody say, "yeah," but now here's the one, here's the one,
  • 00:06:19.024 --> 00:06:23.328
  • That got my attention, and it is appearing to do good while
  • 00:06:23.328 --> 00:06:27.966
  • Secretly indulging.
  • 00:06:27.966 --> 00:06:32.370
  • That's church folk, appearing to do good but secretly indulging.
  • 00:06:32.370 --> 00:06:38.910
  • Now, let me go back to the very beginning of this series.
  • 00:06:38.910 --> 00:06:41.279
  • We are all indulgers in something.
  • 00:06:41.279 --> 00:06:44.983
  • So, don't be looking around talking about, "i ain't
  • 00:06:44.983 --> 00:06:46.318
  • Indulging," you're indulging in something.
  • 00:06:46.318 --> 00:06:49.654
  • Not--maybe none of the ones we read in 1 corinthians 6, but let
  • 00:06:49.654 --> 00:06:54.693
  • Me see if i can accommodate you.
  • 00:06:54.693 --> 00:06:56.361
  • [congregation laughs]
  • 00:06:56.361 --> 00:06:59.898
  • How about secretly indulging in pride, where you are pursuing
  • 00:06:59.898 --> 00:07:05.904
  • Self glory?
  • 00:07:05.904 --> 00:07:08.573
  • Or secretly indulging in greed and gluttony, too much of a
  • 00:07:08.573 --> 00:07:14.379
  • Good thing?
  • 00:07:14.379 --> 00:07:16.014
  • See, i had to repent of yesterday.
  • 00:07:16.014 --> 00:07:18.216
  • I--it wasn't a secret, i did it openly.
  • 00:07:18.216 --> 00:07:21.052
  • I indulged--it was like my day off, it was like a cheat day.
  • 00:07:21.052 --> 00:07:28.059
  • And i went to this restaurant that figured out how to make
  • 00:07:28.059 --> 00:07:32.030
  • Amazing apple tarts.
  • 00:07:32.030 --> 00:07:37.068
  • And taffi wasn't around.
  • 00:07:37.068 --> 00:07:41.106
  • So, i meant well.
  • 00:07:41.106 --> 00:07:42.474
  • I got two, they're about this size, two apple tarts.
  • 00:07:42.474 --> 00:07:46.511
  • But the devil got in that bag and two more was in that bag.
  • 00:07:46.511 --> 00:07:51.883
  • Ugly devil, he snuck in that bag.
  • 00:07:51.883 --> 00:07:56.454
  • And i indulged.
  • 00:07:56.454 --> 00:07:58.723
  • I quickly indulged.
  • 00:07:58.723 --> 00:08:01.059
  • See, i was doing pretty good, wild salmon, nice rice,
  • 00:08:01.059 --> 00:08:05.163
  • Mushrooms, four apple tarts.
  • 00:08:05.163 --> 00:08:12.771
  • Now, i didn't quit before--i was trying to fool myself and tell
  • 00:08:12.771 --> 00:08:16.174
  • Myself, "i'm not doing this."
  • 00:08:16.174 --> 00:08:18.543
  • Hurry it up and get it down and say--do like that urkel, "did i
  • 00:08:18.543 --> 00:08:21.413
  • Do that?"
  • 00:08:21.413 --> 00:08:26.117
  • Indulging in something.
  • 00:08:26.117 --> 00:08:27.552
  • Now, did i pay for it afterwards?
  • 00:08:27.552 --> 00:08:30.789
  • Yeah, i got up this morning 5 pounds heavier.
  • 00:08:30.789 --> 00:08:33.925
  • I said, "got dog, what they put in them things?"
  • 00:08:33.925 --> 00:08:36.061
  • It'll go away today because i'm gonna walk 5 miles sometime.
  • 00:08:36.061 --> 00:08:39.598
  • But i might go get one more.
  • 00:08:39.598 --> 00:08:41.132
  • Secretly indulging, secretly indulging, secretly indulging.
  • 00:08:41.132 --> 00:08:46.104
  • So, lasciviousness is about a person who can't find
  • 00:08:46.104 --> 00:08:49.341
  • The brakes.
  • 00:08:49.341 --> 00:08:52.110
  • One more time becomes one more time.
  • 00:08:52.110 --> 00:08:54.179
  • And then you say, "one more time," and then one more time
  • 00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:56.147
  • Becomes one more time.
  • 00:08:56.147 --> 00:08:57.482
  • And then you say, "one more time," and then one more time
  • 00:08:57.482 --> 00:08:59.084
  • Becomes one more time.
  • 00:08:59.084 --> 00:09:00.418
  • Well, satan wants that to happen, why?
  • 00:09:00.418 --> 00:09:01.753
  • Because he's progressively attacking your soul.
  • 00:09:01.753 --> 00:09:07.459
  • Because you're allowing your ego to fulfill what it wants
  • 00:09:07.459 --> 00:09:12.330
  • To fulfill.
  • 00:09:12.330 --> 00:09:13.665
  • Or maybe secretly indulging in negligence that you should be
  • 00:09:13.665 --> 00:09:18.903
  • Doing something else.
  • 00:09:18.903 --> 00:09:20.271
  • You're neglecting to do something else.
  • 00:09:20.271 --> 00:09:21.806
  • Maybe god told you to do something three years ago, you
  • 00:09:21.806 --> 00:09:23.408
  • Still ain't did it.
  • 00:09:23.408 --> 00:09:26.144
  • Maybe lack of love, that you're failing to serve someone else.
  • 00:09:26.144 --> 00:09:31.716
  • I thought you said, "lack of love."
  • 00:09:31.716 --> 00:09:33.084
  • Yeah, failing to serve someone else.
  • 00:09:33.084 --> 00:09:35.353
  • I thought you said, "lack of love."
  • 00:09:35.353 --> 00:09:36.721
  • Yeah, failing to serve someone else.
  • 00:09:36.721 --> 00:09:38.823
  • "i ain't no slave."
  • 00:09:38.823 --> 00:09:40.191
  • Lack of love, indulging in lack of love.
  • 00:09:40.191 --> 00:09:43.194
  • This is what jesus was talking about in matthew chapter 23.
  • 00:09:43.194 --> 00:09:46.598
  • Let me show you matthew 23, verse 25 in the nlt.
  • 00:09:46.598 --> 00:09:49.734
  • This is what he was talking about here.
  • 00:09:49.734 --> 00:09:51.636
  • You saw the gross type of indulgences and then you see
  • 00:09:51.636 --> 00:09:54.172
  • These secret indulgences that we can put on our christian outfit
  • 00:09:54.172 --> 00:09:57.876
  • And still indulge in these things.
  • 00:09:57.876 --> 00:10:00.045
  • I don't mind telling you.
  • 00:10:00.045 --> 00:10:02.414
  • "why would you say that as a preacher?"
  • 00:10:02.414 --> 00:10:03.882
  • Because i constantly want you to know that i am on the same path
  • 00:10:03.882 --> 00:10:06.918
  • That you're on.
  • 00:10:06.918 --> 00:10:09.087
  • Believing god by his grace to fix my behavior where apple pies
  • 00:10:09.087 --> 00:10:13.692
  • Are concerned.
  • 00:10:13.692 --> 00:10:19.664
  • Verse 25, "what sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law
  • 00:10:19.664 --> 00:10:24.602
  • And you pharisees.
  • 00:10:24.602 --> 00:10:25.937
  • Hypocrites!
  • 00:10:25.937 --> 00:10:27.305
  • For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the
  • 00:10:27.305 --> 00:10:31.276
  • Dish, but inside you are filthy--full of greed
  • 00:10:31.276 --> 00:10:36.214
  • And self-indulgence."
  • 00:10:36.214 --> 00:10:39.584
  • So, it says the cup's clean on the outside,
  • 00:10:39.584 --> 00:10:43.288
  • But on the inside, there's still all this stuff on the inside.
  • 00:10:43.288 --> 00:10:48.626
  • So, maybe you can get around people and your cup look clean
  • 00:10:48.626 --> 00:10:51.162
  • On the outside.
  • 00:10:51.162 --> 00:10:52.864
  • But then they spend the weekend with you and find out, "that
  • 00:10:52.864 --> 00:10:55.700
  • Thing dirty on the inside."
  • 00:10:55.700 --> 00:11:00.505
  • Are you following me, folks?
  • 00:11:00.505 --> 00:11:02.474
  • Now, now it's time to show you grace in the midst of all these
  • 00:11:02.474 --> 00:11:06.911
  • Two and a half weeks of studying where indulgence is concerned.
  • 00:11:06.911 --> 00:11:11.683
  • Grace is essential for overcoming behaviors and false
  • 00:11:11.683 --> 00:11:16.855
  • Beliefs that have trapped you.
  • 00:11:16.855 --> 00:11:19.557
  • And the thing that's entrapped you in your indulgence is your
  • 00:11:19.557 --> 00:11:24.229
  • False belief.
  • 00:11:24.229 --> 00:11:25.630
  • The reason why we indulge or we have these cravings is because
  • 00:11:25.630 --> 00:11:29.734
  • We have this false belief that by fulfilling the cravings,
  • 00:11:29.734 --> 00:11:33.972
  • That's--i believe that's gonna make me happy.
  • 00:11:33.972 --> 00:11:36.207
  • Even if it's just for five minutes, i believe this is gonna
  • 00:11:36.207 --> 00:11:38.610
  • Make me happy.
  • 00:11:38.610 --> 00:11:40.211
  • And instead of me seeking god and believing that he'll make me
  • 00:11:40.211 --> 00:11:42.614
  • Happy, i believe that smoking this joint is gonna make
  • 00:11:42.614 --> 00:11:45.216
  • Me happy.
  • 00:11:45.216 --> 00:11:46.551
  • I mean, i'm miserable, my life is falling apart, i--and here's
  • 00:11:46.551 --> 00:11:49.888
  • What i look at, my--the indulgence of what i know.
  • 00:11:49.888 --> 00:11:52.690
  • I know that this can make me happy.
  • 00:11:52.690 --> 00:11:54.292
  • Let me go get me a joint.
  • 00:11:54.292 --> 00:11:55.693
  • Let me go get me a--some mad dog.
  • 00:11:55.693 --> 00:11:58.730
  • I don't even know if they mad dog,
  • 00:11:58.730 --> 00:12:00.098
  • Whatever the famous liquor that people get drunk on right now.
  • 00:12:00.098 --> 00:12:02.767
  • I wouldn't know, okay?
  • 00:12:02.767 --> 00:12:04.102
  • I--what is it you're seeking?
  • 00:12:04.102 --> 00:12:08.339
  • Because you believe this'll make you happy, a wrong type
  • 00:12:08.339 --> 00:12:13.611
  • Of relationship.
  • 00:12:13.611 --> 00:12:14.946
  • 'cause you believe this'll make you happy.
  • 00:12:14.946 --> 00:12:17.882
  • So, it's not the craving itself, it's your belief that it'll make
  • 00:12:17.882 --> 00:12:21.653
  • You happy.
  • 00:12:21.653 --> 00:12:24.322
  • Follow me now.
  • 00:12:24.322 --> 00:12:25.657
  • It's not the craving.
  • 00:12:25.657 --> 00:12:26.991
  • Think about the things you crave.
  • 00:12:26.991 --> 00:12:28.359
  • Everybody craves something.
  • 00:12:28.359 --> 00:12:29.694
  • It's not--it may be shopping.
  • 00:12:29.694 --> 00:12:31.229
  • You may think that going and spending more than what you
  • 00:12:31.229 --> 00:12:33.698
  • Should be spending will make you happy.
  • 00:12:33.698 --> 00:12:35.400
  • It's your belief that i'm gonna fulfill this craving, it's gonna
  • 00:12:35.400 --> 00:12:38.336
  • Make me happy.
  • 00:12:38.336 --> 00:12:39.704
  • And so, what we do is we try to attack their craving.
  • 00:12:39.704 --> 00:12:41.706
  • "i'm gonna do ten of these discipline things.
  • 00:12:41.706 --> 00:12:43.641
  • I'm gonna discipline myself not to crave it.
  • 00:12:43.641 --> 00:12:45.443
  • I'm gonna stay away from pies.
  • 00:12:45.443 --> 00:12:46.945
  • Stay away from pies.
  • 00:12:46.945 --> 00:12:48.279
  • Stay away from pies."
  • 00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:49.647
  • Thirty years later, the craving's still there, why?
  • 00:12:49.647 --> 00:12:53.318
  • 'cause somewhere in here i believe this is gonna make
  • 00:12:53.318 --> 00:12:56.621
  • Me happy.
  • 00:12:56.621 --> 00:13:00.158
  • So, the success does not come by disciplining yourself to defeat
  • 00:13:00.158 --> 00:13:05.196
  • The craving, the success comes by changing your belief in what
  • 00:13:05.196 --> 00:13:10.235
  • Makes you happy.
  • 00:13:10.235 --> 00:13:17.242
  • "well, what about the craving?"
  • 00:13:17.242 --> 00:13:18.576
  • You still think the craving makes you more--a lot more
  • 00:13:18.576 --> 00:13:20.511
  • Happier than god.
  • 00:13:20.511 --> 00:13:22.180
  • That's where the idolatry comes in at.
  • 00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:24.048
  • You don't believe god can make you happy.
  • 00:13:24.048 --> 00:13:26.985
  • But you're not willing to spend any time developing a
  • 00:13:26.985 --> 00:13:29.087
  • Relationship with him so he can show you.
  • 00:13:29.087 --> 00:13:32.190
  • What are these things that keep hindering us from seeing him as
  • 00:13:32.190 --> 00:13:39.764
  • The source of our happiness and joy?
  • 00:13:39.764 --> 00:13:43.334
  • Where we have to go and--of our own choosing try to find
  • 00:13:43.334 --> 00:13:46.604
  • Something greater than god.
  • 00:13:46.604 --> 00:13:49.707
  • That's exactly what happened in the garden of eden.
  • 00:13:49.707 --> 00:13:51.709
  • Adam and eve in the garden of eden were aware of their mirror
  • 00:13:51.709 --> 00:13:56.381
  • Resemblance to god.
  • 00:13:56.381 --> 00:13:59.350
  • They were aware that they were made just like him and they were
  • 00:13:59.350 --> 00:14:03.488
  • A mirror image of god, just like him.
  • 00:14:03.488 --> 00:14:05.623
  • They were aware of that.
  • 00:14:05.623 --> 00:14:07.325
  • And they walked with peace and joy in that garden until the
  • 00:14:07.325 --> 00:14:09.961
  • Enemy came in and he attacked their identity.
  • 00:14:09.961 --> 00:14:15.233
  • And now today, we are still trying to find something that'll
  • 00:14:15.233 --> 00:14:21.940
  • Make us happy, greater than god, by finding something, an idol
  • 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:28.313
  • Greater than god, of our own choosing.
  • 00:14:28.313 --> 00:14:32.517
  • And the whole time it's him.
  • 00:14:32.517 --> 00:14:35.219
  • But you don't get to know him enough.
  • 00:14:35.219 --> 00:14:36.688
  • All the preachers in the pulpit won't study enough.
  • 00:14:36.688 --> 00:14:44.429
  • They won't study enough, and what they study is style, and
  • 00:14:44.429 --> 00:14:49.434
  • They study, you know, how somebody does this, and how
  • 00:14:49.434 --> 00:14:53.037
  • Somebody does that, and we don't have a chance to really
  • 00:14:53.037 --> 00:15:02.313
  • Help people.
  • 00:15:02.313 --> 00:15:03.681
  • So, if you have a passion to preach without a burden to
  • 00:15:03.681 --> 00:15:06.184
  • Study, then that's just a desire to perform.
  • 00:15:06.184 --> 00:15:15.927
  • Y'all don't hear what i'm saying.
  • 00:15:15.927 --> 00:15:18.429
  • And that convicted me.
  • 00:15:18.429 --> 00:15:20.164
  • I don't wanna have a passion to preach and don't have a burden
  • 00:15:20.164 --> 00:15:22.800
  • To study, and that's just be--just get up and have this
  • 00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:25.803
  • Desire to perform.
  • 00:15:25.803 --> 00:15:27.138
  • But we got a generation of preachers, they don't have no
  • 00:15:27.138 --> 00:15:29.674
  • Burdening to study.
  • 00:15:29.674 --> 00:15:40.551
  • So, let me go slow with this now.
  • 00:15:44.322 --> 00:15:51.129
  • God values you.
  • 00:15:51.129 --> 00:15:56.501
  • Say this out loud, "god values me."
  • 00:15:56.501 --> 00:16:00.638
  • Say it again, "god values me."
  • 00:16:00.638 --> 00:16:06.511
  • It's a value that isn't based on your performance, though.
  • 00:16:06.511 --> 00:16:11.015
  • God's not valuing us because our performance has gotten his
  • 00:16:11.015 --> 00:16:16.421
  • Attention where he looks at us and says, "i value you because
  • 00:16:16.421 --> 00:16:18.856
  • You're so awesome, and you're so good, and you prayed nine hours
  • 00:16:18.856 --> 00:16:22.460
  • A day, and you come to church, and you don't miss nothing, you
  • 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:25.229
  • Hadn't missed church in ten years."
  • 00:16:25.229 --> 00:16:26.631
  • And so, you think god values you based on your performance, but
  • 00:16:26.631 --> 00:16:29.834
  • He values you based on his grace.
  • 00:16:29.834 --> 00:16:32.303
  • He doesn't value you based on your performance.
  • 00:16:32.303 --> 00:16:34.872
  • He doesn't value me based on my performance that i'm just such a
  • 00:16:34.872 --> 00:16:37.809
  • Goody-goody preacher.
  • 00:16:37.809 --> 00:16:39.577
  • He values me because of his grace.
  • 00:16:39.577 --> 00:16:42.080
  • Therefore, we're talking about recovering from addictions.
  • 00:16:46.250 --> 00:16:49.420
  • We're talking about recovering from these indulgences.
  • 00:16:49.420 --> 00:16:53.791
  • Therefore, if this is true, and i know it's true, recovery is
  • 00:16:53.791 --> 00:16:57.962
  • More of a gift from god than it is a reward for a
  • 00:16:57.962 --> 00:17:01.632
  • Good performance.
  • 00:17:01.632 --> 00:17:04.435
  • But the world didn't know that so we kept trying to help people
  • 00:17:04.435 --> 00:17:07.305
  • Recover based on doing this, doing that, doing that, doing
  • 00:17:07.305 --> 00:17:09.907
  • This, doing this.
  • 00:17:09.907 --> 00:17:11.275
  • "i'm going through and i'm gonna learn the 12 steps of recovery."
  • 00:17:11.275 --> 00:17:13.544
  • And in a year you're back at it again.
  • 00:17:13.544 --> 00:17:18.182
  • Because recovery is more of a gift from god and what do
  • 00:17:18.182 --> 00:17:21.486
  • You receive?
  • 00:17:21.486 --> 00:17:22.854
  • What do you do?
  • 00:17:22.854 --> 00:17:24.188
  • You receive that gift from god.
  • 00:17:24.188 --> 00:17:25.523
  • Father, you've decided to value me because of your grace.
  • 00:17:25.523 --> 00:17:28.593
  • Therefore, i receive recovery because of your grace.
  • 00:17:28.593 --> 00:17:32.230
  • I'm not receiving recovery because of my performance.
  • 00:17:32.230 --> 00:17:36.434
  • I went to all the aa meetings, all the na meetings, all of the
  • 00:17:36.434 --> 00:17:39.270
  • Ea meetings.
  • 00:17:39.270 --> 00:17:40.605
  • I went to all the meetings and they helped some until the
  • 00:17:40.605 --> 00:17:44.275
  • Pressure came, and i had a bad day, and i couldn't handle it,
  • 00:17:44.275 --> 00:17:47.211
  • And it hurt.
  • 00:17:47.211 --> 00:17:51.282
  • Real recovery isn't just about not doing something wrong
  • 00:17:55.453 --> 00:17:59.690
  • Or unhealthy.
  • 00:17:59.690 --> 00:18:01.993
  • It's about living daily in connection with god and learning
  • 00:18:01.993 --> 00:18:07.165
  • To live according to his word, real recovery.
  • 00:18:07.165 --> 00:18:11.602
  • I'm living daily, i have a daily connection with god, that's
  • 00:18:11.602 --> 00:18:15.940
  • Real recovery.
  • 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:17.275
  • Real recovery, i'm learning to live according to his word,
  • 00:18:17.275 --> 00:18:20.444
  • That's real recovery.
  • 00:18:20.444 --> 00:18:21.879
  • I'm talking about recovering.
  • 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:23.514
  • I mean, deep down i'm recovering, i'm living daily
  • 00:18:23.514 --> 00:18:27.018
  • With god, that's real recovery.
  • 00:18:27.018 --> 00:18:31.589
  • I have daily contact with god.
  • 00:18:31.589 --> 00:18:33.691
  • There's something that you ought to train yourself to--just to go
  • 00:18:33.691 --> 00:18:36.727
  • Off on the inside of you that says, "i have not spent time
  • 00:18:36.727 --> 00:18:39.263
  • With god today.
  • 00:18:39.263 --> 00:18:41.132
  • I have not prayed.
  • 00:18:41.132 --> 00:18:42.466
  • I have not said, 'thank you.'
  • 00:18:42.466 --> 00:18:43.834
  • I have not spent any time.
  • 00:18:43.834 --> 00:18:45.169
  • I have had no daily contact with god."
  • 00:18:45.169 --> 00:18:47.738
  • Real recovery is having and living daily in connection with
  • 00:18:47.738 --> 00:18:51.776
  • God and learning how to live according to his word.
  • 00:18:51.776 --> 00:18:54.512
  • That's real recovery.
  • 00:18:54.512 --> 00:18:55.846
  • That recovery keeps you recovered.
  • 00:18:55.846 --> 00:18:57.782
  • It's a gift of grace that's being extended towards those who
  • 00:18:57.782 --> 00:19:01.352
  • Are addicted.
  • 00:19:01.352 --> 00:19:04.188
  • And even when you fail or even when you fall because of real
  • 00:19:04.188 --> 00:19:08.192
  • Recovery, you have the mitigated gall and audacity to stand up
  • 00:19:08.192 --> 00:19:13.464
  • And say, "i'm still the righteousness of god."
  • 00:19:13.464 --> 00:19:15.866
  • [congregation applause]
  • 00:19:15.866 --> 00:19:21.272
  • It isn't based on your skills.
  • 00:19:24.942 --> 00:19:28.913
  • Real recovery is not based on your skills, it's not based on
  • 00:19:28.913 --> 00:19:31.849
  • Your willpower, it's not based on the--it's not based on all
  • 00:19:31.849 --> 00:19:35.853
  • Those things that we think.
  • 00:19:35.853 --> 00:19:37.188
  • And i'm talking about--you think i'm just talking about
  • 00:19:37.188 --> 00:19:38.623
  • Drug recovery.
  • 00:19:38.623 --> 00:19:39.991
  • I'm talking about adultery recovery.
  • 00:19:39.991 --> 00:19:41.325
  • I'm talking about slander recovery.
  • 00:19:41.325 --> 00:19:43.361
  • I'm talking about hatred recovery.
  • 00:19:43.361 --> 00:19:45.196
  • I'm talking about being a busybody recovery.
  • 00:19:45.196 --> 00:19:47.465
  • I'm talking about all of the mess you have to deal with, all
  • 00:19:47.465 --> 00:19:50.201
  • Of the junk you gotta deal with when you're trying to figure
  • 00:19:50.201 --> 00:19:51.969
  • Out, "why me?
  • 00:19:51.969 --> 00:19:53.304
  • Why did this fall on me?
  • 00:19:53.304 --> 00:19:54.805
  • How did i get connected with that?"
  • 00:19:54.805 --> 00:19:56.407
  • And i'm telling you, "real recovery."
  • 00:19:56.407 --> 00:19:58.009
  • Don't tell me that you're stuck with this thing for the rest of
  • 00:19:58.009 --> 00:20:00.911
  • Your life, because, "greater is he that is on the inside of you
  • 00:20:00.911 --> 00:20:03.814
  • Than he that is in the world."
  • 00:20:03.814 --> 00:20:08.786
  • It ain't based on your skills, it's not based on your
  • 00:20:12.890 --> 00:20:15.526
  • Willpower, it's based on the grace of god.
  • 00:20:15.526 --> 00:20:19.697
  • It's based on the grace of god.
  • 00:20:19.697 --> 00:20:25.436
  • So, then, you must receive this gift of grace
  • 00:20:25.436 --> 00:20:31.342
  • And let grace work in your life if you're ever going to break
  • 00:20:31.342 --> 00:20:36.681
  • Free from the addictive strongholds, and that's what
  • 00:20:36.681 --> 00:20:39.383
  • These are.
  • 00:20:39.383 --> 00:20:40.951
  • If i'm ever gonna break free from the addictive
  • 00:20:40.951 --> 00:20:43.354
  • Strongholds--now, hear what i just said because when i wrote
  • 00:20:43.354 --> 00:20:47.024
  • This down, i said, "i--how that look?
  • 00:20:47.024 --> 00:20:50.661
  • What did it look like?"
  • 00:20:50.661 --> 00:20:52.330
  • Sounds cool, but what does it look like?
  • 00:20:52.330 --> 00:20:57.034
  • I got to receive the grace of god and i gotta let the grace of
  • 00:20:57.034 --> 00:21:01.939
  • God work in my life.
  • 00:21:01.939 --> 00:21:04.542
  • What does that look like?
  • 00:21:04.542 --> 00:21:07.044
  • I'm all about how it looks like.
  • 00:21:07.044 --> 00:21:08.746
  • I'm not about how it sounds like from the pulpit for me, i know
  • 00:21:08.746 --> 00:21:11.349
  • If you don't get this, it ain't--i waste my time.
  • 00:21:11.349 --> 00:21:15.419
  • I know you gotta get it.
  • 00:21:15.419 --> 00:21:16.754
  • I'm not preaching this for my deal.
  • 00:21:16.754 --> 00:21:18.989
  • I don't--see, ego wants me to preach this, and then pat myself
  • 00:21:18.989 --> 00:21:22.626
  • On the back, and go out and sing a song about how great thy am.
  • 00:21:22.626 --> 00:21:26.163
  • [congregation laughs]
  • 00:21:26.163 --> 00:21:29.367
  • I'm so over that.
  • 00:21:30.134 --> 00:21:33.471
  • The greatest temptation that you get when you know who jesus is
  • 00:21:33.471 --> 00:21:37.808
  • And you understand his grace--the greatest temptation
  • 00:21:37.808 --> 00:21:40.044
  • You get on a weekly basis is, "i want to be with you."
  • 00:21:40.044 --> 00:21:48.085
  • What does it mean?
  • 00:21:50.287 --> 00:21:52.890
  • I created this little apart in my notes where i have
  • 00:21:52.890 --> 00:21:56.293
  • A "what it means" section.
  • 00:21:56.293 --> 00:22:00.431
  • Well, it starts off with embracing your identity
  • 00:22:00.431 --> 00:22:03.701
  • In christ.
  • 00:22:03.701 --> 00:22:05.069
  • How do i let grace work in my life?
  • 00:22:05.069 --> 00:22:07.071
  • Let me give it to you in numbers.
  • 00:22:07.071 --> 00:22:08.439
  • How do i let grace work in my life?
  • 00:22:08.439 --> 00:22:09.774
  • Number one, embracing your identity in christ.
  • 00:22:09.774 --> 00:22:13.611
  • I embrace who i am in christ.
  • 00:22:13.611 --> 00:22:15.479
  • I am great, i embrace that i'm no longer a sinner, i'm a saint.
  • 00:22:15.479 --> 00:22:18.883
  • I embrace that i am the righteousness of god,
  • 00:22:18.883 --> 00:22:22.119
  • I'm redeemed.
  • 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:23.454
  • I embrace my identity in christ and will not let it go
  • 00:22:23.454 --> 00:22:27.525
  • Regardless of what kind of behavior shows up in my life.
  • 00:22:27.525 --> 00:22:30.995
  • Because that behavior didn't determine my identity and it
  • 00:22:30.995 --> 00:22:33.531
  • Can't rob me of my identity.
  • 00:22:33.531 --> 00:22:35.499
  • Change is not gonna come by behavioral modification.
  • 00:22:35.499 --> 00:22:44.775
  • You can modify your behavior all day long, but it is your
  • 00:22:44.775 --> 00:22:47.778
  • Identity that will change your behavior, not your behavior
  • 00:22:47.778 --> 00:22:51.248
  • That's gonna make your identity.
  • 00:22:51.248 --> 00:22:53.350
  • And the church has taught us your behavior is what makes
  • 00:22:53.350 --> 00:22:56.454
  • Your identity.
  • 00:22:56.454 --> 00:22:57.822
  • The church says, "how you behave determines who you are."
  • 00:22:57.822 --> 00:23:00.324
  • No, who you are determines how you behave.
  • 00:23:00.324 --> 00:23:04.428
  • And so, the first thing is, i got to embrace my identity.
  • 00:23:04.428 --> 00:23:10.768
  • The second thing is, i gotta trust in god's
  • 00:23:10.768 --> 00:23:13.170
  • Unconditional love.
  • 00:23:13.170 --> 00:23:14.972
  • That i wake up every morning and i say, "god loves me with an
  • 00:23:14.972 --> 00:23:17.908
  • Unconditional, unfailing, ever-ending, everlasting love."
  • 00:23:17.908 --> 00:23:23.380
  • That god decided to love me while i was yet a sinner.
  • 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:26.350
  • So, my sinning doesn't mess with his decision to love me.
  • 00:23:26.350 --> 00:23:30.988
  • He loved me before i got saved, before i got in church.
  • 00:23:30.988 --> 00:23:34.425
  • He loved me while i was crazy, and he's not gonna stop
  • 00:23:34.425 --> 00:23:37.862
  • Loving me.
  • 00:23:37.862 --> 00:23:39.196
  • And i gotta keep telling myself, "in this situation you getting
  • 00:23:39.196 --> 00:23:42.333
  • Up from, god loves me."
  • 00:23:42.333 --> 00:23:46.170
  • Announcer: who influences your thought life?
  • 00:23:49.874 --> 00:23:51.709
  • The answer to this question is more important than you
  • 00:23:51.709 --> 00:23:54.011
  • May realize.
  • 00:23:54.011 --> 00:23:55.346
  • The enemy constantly wages war against the soul of believers,
  • 00:23:55.346 --> 00:23:58.148
  • But our father has guaranteed us a way to win this battle.
  • 00:23:58.148 --> 00:24:01.385
  • In this four-message series, creflo dollar digs deep to
  • 00:24:01.385 --> 00:24:04.688
  • Revealing winning strategies in the war against the soul.
  • 00:24:04.688 --> 00:24:08.559
  • Creflo: if you don't learn how to distance yourself from
  • 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:11.428
  • Worldly desires, he says, "the results will be a war in
  • 00:24:11.428 --> 00:24:16.800
  • Your soul."
  • 00:24:16.800 --> 00:24:18.135
  • And today we don't know what to listen to.
  • 00:24:18.135 --> 00:24:20.070
  • You got thousands of influencers, thousands of
  • 00:24:20.070 --> 00:24:22.406
  • Podcasts, thousands of preachers.
  • 00:24:22.406 --> 00:24:24.842
  • What do you listen to?
  • 00:24:24.842 --> 00:24:26.443
  • The holy ghost.
  • 00:24:26.443 --> 00:24:27.778
  • God designed you.
  • 00:24:27.778 --> 00:24:29.246
  • He knows none of this has been built for your design.
  • 00:24:29.246 --> 00:24:32.983
  • Announcer: get your digital downloads today for a love gift
  • 00:24:32.983 --> 00:24:35.886
  • Of just $12 or more by scanning the qr code or calling the
  • 00:24:35.886 --> 00:24:39.790
  • Number on your screen.
  • 00:24:39.790 --> 00:24:41.158
  • You can also visit creflodollarministries.org
  • 00:24:41.158 --> 00:24:43.727
  • And click e-store.
  • 00:24:43.727 --> 00:24:45.062
  • You can win the war against your soul.
  • 00:24:45.062 --> 00:24:47.765
  • Female announcer: grace life conference 2025,
  • 00:24:49.767 --> 00:24:52.403
  • Where faith meets future, and you're invited to be
  • 00:24:52.403 --> 00:24:54.939
  • Part of the buzz.
  • 00:24:54.939 --> 00:24:56.974
  • Announcer: the echoes of anticipation.
  • 00:24:58.309 --> 00:24:59.810
  • Male: the grace message is the gospel.
  • 00:24:59.810 --> 00:25:02.446
  • Announcer: the stories of transformation.
  • 00:25:02.446 --> 00:25:04.615
  • Female: i've been impacted from the word.
  • 00:25:04.615 --> 00:25:06.550
  • Male: you will literally be changed.
  • 00:25:06.550 --> 00:25:08.252
  • Male: go ahead and register now, like as soon as possible.
  • 00:25:08.252 --> 00:25:10.788
  • Female: and you don't want to miss the experience.
  • 00:25:10.788 --> 00:25:12.222
  • Female: i would encourage people to come to grace life.
  • 00:25:12.222 --> 00:25:14.558
  • Female: what do you have to lose?
  • 00:25:14.558 --> 00:25:15.926
  • Announcer: register today.
  • 00:25:15.926 --> 00:25:17.661
  • Creflo: everything in god's kingdom works by faith.
  • 00:25:19.163 --> 00:25:23.100
  • Now, i remember when taffi and i started giving, it was a painful
  • 00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:27.338
  • Thing to give because we didn't have much at all financially.
  • 00:25:27.338 --> 00:25:30.608
  • However, we made a decision to be givers.
  • 00:25:30.608 --> 00:25:34.044
  • And one of the most quoted scriptures in the bible is john
  • 00:25:34.044 --> 00:25:37.548
  • 3:16, "god so loved the world that he gave."
  • 00:25:37.548 --> 00:25:41.218
  • Therefore, as christians we give.
  • 00:25:41.218 --> 00:25:43.354
  • Our giving is an expression of our love.
  • 00:25:43.354 --> 00:25:46.657
  • And when you support creflo dollar ministries financially,
  • 00:25:46.657 --> 00:25:49.627
  • You are giving to our efforts to spread the gospel all over
  • 00:25:49.627 --> 00:25:53.063
  • The world.
  • 00:25:53.063 --> 00:25:54.398
  • And in addition to helping millions who are hurting and
  • 00:25:54.398 --> 00:25:57.368
  • Have vital physical needs, pray about what god would have you to
  • 00:25:57.368 --> 00:26:01.405
  • Sow at this time.
  • 00:26:01.405 --> 00:26:02.906
  • And we want to thank you in advance for your support.
  • 00:26:02.906 --> 00:26:06.343
  • Announcer: to support the vision of this ministry to reach the
  • 00:26:06.410 --> 00:26:09.046
  • World with the gospel of grace, you may call in to make your
  • 00:26:09.046 --> 00:26:12.082
  • Financial donations or log on to creflodollarministries.org.
  • 00:26:12.082 --> 00:26:16.153
  • God bless you.
  • 00:26:16.153 --> 00:26:17.521
  • Creflo: i don't ever want to take for granted that you've
  • 00:26:18.989 --> 00:26:21.692
  • Received jesus christ as your personal lord and savior.
  • 00:26:21.692 --> 00:26:24.595
  • And there's no better way to embark upon a new stage in your
  • 00:26:24.595 --> 00:26:27.831
  • Life than to enter into a personal relationship
  • 00:26:27.831 --> 00:26:30.267
  • With jesus.
  • 00:26:30.267 --> 00:26:31.769
  • So, if you want to become born again and begin an exciting,
  • 00:26:31.769 --> 00:26:35.139
  • Intimate relationship with jesus, i want you to pray this
  • 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:38.308
  • Prayer with me, and i'll say it so you can repeat after me.
  • 00:26:38.308 --> 00:26:41.845
  • Repeat after me, "heavenly father, i believe that jesus is
  • 00:26:41.845 --> 00:26:47.051
  • The son of god, and that he died and was raised from the
  • 00:26:47.051 --> 00:26:51.522
  • Dead, and has forgiven all of my sins.
  • 00:26:51.522 --> 00:26:56.660
  • And i receive him into my life right now as my lord and
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  • Personal savior.
  • 00:27:03.367 --> 00:27:05.135
  • So, by faith i declare that i am saved."
  • 00:27:05.135 --> 00:27:13.110
  • Praise god, now that simple prayer changed your entire
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  • Eternal destination, and we want to welcome you to the family
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  • Of god.
  • 00:27:21.418 --> 00:27:23.987
  • Announcer: the preceding program was brought to you, in part, by
  • 00:27:23.987 --> 00:27:26.390
  • The partners and friends of creflo dollar ministries.
  • 00:27:26.390 --> 00:27:29.860