Proverbs 16:1-3: “We may make our plans, but God has the last word. You may think everything you do is right, but the Lord judges your motives. Ask the Lord to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out.”

Before I jump into the above scripture, I just want to direct your attention momentarily to this verse. Proverbs 16:4 states, “Everything the Lord has made has its destiny; and the destiny of the wicked is destruction.”

This concept of God’s creations being created with purpose and a destiny is much more powerful than you might think. Like Proverbs 16:4 states, everything that God has made has its destiny. God also tells us that everything and everyone has a purpose; the purpose that is specifically given by God. It’s been divinely crafted and for that purpose to be fulfilled, so that it brings glory to Him. Everything that has been, and will be, created has and will be purposeful, according to the Word of God. Even as Christians, we can become detached or astray from the purpose God has given us. Why? Well, it's because sin prevents us from pursuing that purpose. As soon as one becomes infatuated with sin, that purpose pauses. It’s like a glitch, and that glitch stops a program from continuing to finish what it has been put on for. Eventually, there will be a series of events that have been planted by God to get you back on the path that God purposely designed you for. Those purposeful glitches from God, when you’re stuck in sin are moments to direct you back. They’re designed to steer you away from the sin that you’ve fallen into. It’s the Holy Spirit convicting you, so that you’ll jump back on the path God designed you for.

The Bible tells us to run from all evil, but sometimes when you’re stuck in the midst of sin, it’s so hard to get out of it. The reason why addiction to money, pornography, drugs, or anything that’s in between you and your relationship with Jesus is unbreakable for you, is because maybe you’ve been seeking God but haven’t put work into breaking the cycle. You can’t break a cycle by allowing those doors to open again and again. It’s like telling a builder to re-build a bridge with better support for it to not collapse again, but building it the exact same way having faith it won’t collapse. You need a new approach. You need a better plan in place and fully equipped. You don’t see soldiers going into battle in a speedo and swim cap. They’re fully geared up and have a plan of action. I’m telling you straight up that you’ll never fulfill the purpose Jesus has for you if you continue to believe the lies the enemy throws at you. You will never succeed in anything you do for Jesus if you’re 90% living in sin, and 10% living for Jesus. God never created us to live a 50/50 life. He created us to live 100% devoted to Him, set apart, and to strive with all our heart to fulfill the purpose He created us for.

The talents, abilities, and characteristics we have individually are to help us fulfill that purpose. They’re what makes us who we are. 

Maybe you’re reading this with a lack of awareness that there is power in the name of Jesus. Just saying His name has power in it. If you’re one reading this with full acceptance that you’re struggling with addiction, call upon His name. Faithfully ask Him to break the chains of captivity. Ask Him to break the chains of addiction. 

As I conclude, I want to direct you back to Proverbs 16:1-3. The plans we make are ultimately up to God to make happen. When you surrendered to Jesus, you accepted the reality that your life is not yours, it’s fully His. When you make plans, you might think that it’s the right way, but only God can judge that. Whatever you do, He is the one who judges your motives in those plans or actions. We serve a God that wants our dreams to come true. If those dreams align with the Word of God, I’m certain God will bless you, and you will be successful in reaching those dreams.

Like verse 3 states, “Ask the Lord to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out.”