Redeemed, Not Addicted: Walking in Your True Identity

Introduction

Today, I want to talk about identity—who you truly are in Christ. The world, our past, and even our own minds may try to define us by what we've done or where we've been, but the Word of God tells us something different.

Some of us have walked through struggles—addiction, pain, mistakes—but let me ask you something: If you beat cancer, do you still call yourself a cancer patient? No! You call yourself a survivor, healed, whole. So why would we continue to identify as addicts when we have been set free?

The Bible is clear: we are not defined by our past, but by Christ who makes us new.

The Power of the Tongue

Proverbs 18:21 says, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

Your words shape your reality. The Bible compares the tongue to a rudder on a ship (James 3:4-5)—though small, it determines the direction of the whole vessel. In the same way, your words guide your life.

If you continue to say, "I'm an addict," then you will live under the weight of addiction. But if you declare, "I am a redeemed child of God, walking in freedom and victory," then you will begin to walk in that truth.

Born Again: A New Identity

1 Peter 1:23 (NIV) says,

"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God."

When you gave your life to Christ, you were reborn. You are not the same person you were. The old has passed away! 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

So why would you continue to wear an old identity that no longer belongs to you?

Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind

Romans 12:2 says,

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

This world wants to label you by your past. The world says, "Once an addict, always an addict." But God says, "You are my child, redeemed and set free."

Transformation begins with renewing your mind—aligning your thoughts and words with God's truth. When you speak life over yourself, you step into the freedom Christ has already won for you.

Declaring Who You Are in Christ

You are not an addict. You are a child of God.

You are not broken. You are made whole.

You are not your past. You are a new creation.

You are not a slave to sin. You are redeemed and set free.

Jesus said in John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Walk in that freedom. Speak it. Believe it. Live it.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for setting us free. Thank You that we are not defined by our past but by Your love and grace. Help us to renew our minds daily, to speak life over ourselves, and to walk in the identity You have given us. We declare today that we are redeemed, whole, and free in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

This sermon is built on truth, power, and transformation. Preach it boldly, and let people hear the freedom they have in Christ!