Yes, People Do Change

One constant theme in Alcoholics Anonymous is that people do not change.

Yes, they do.

In fact, people receive new information, they get a greater revelation of God's love for them, and yes they do change.

We should celebrate the fact that God's love for us, His grace working in us and through us, transforms us:

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

The Holy Spirit transforms us, and He transforms us we see more of Jesus.

And how do we see more of Him?

We see Him in the Word!

"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27)

On the other hand, AA tells people that they can change if they work the program. However, I can tell you countless stories of men and women who "worked the program," and it worked them to death.

They did not stop drinking.

Or, if they did stop drinking, they moved into other comfort measures, like drinking caffeined drinks, smoking, binge eating, sex, or other addictions.

For too long, we keep asking people "Why the addiction?"

We need to start asking "Why the pain? What is the pain that you are trying to resolve?"

We have focused for too long on telling people to stop engaging in harmful acts, against themselves or others.

Not once, however, have we asked people: "What are you trying to feel, what relief are you trying to seek?"

I remember what Pastor Chet Lowe shared at Calvary Chapel South Bay some time ago. He shared: "So many people want relief. Jesus wants to heal."

Yes, indeed!

Last of all, AA gives us the impression of some "god" whom we conceive of, a god who may or may not be at work in our lives. For all the talk about "turning your will and life over to a power greater than yourself," the Big Book (of Lies) spends more time telling the members of that cult what they need to be doing.

Furthermore, getting back to the issue of pain and shame and condemnation, this awful cult teaches people that if they are angry, bitter, resentful, whatever, in some ways it must be their fault. 

Granted, we are responsible for our actions. 

But the notion that it is our fault that someone else harms us? That is just plain evil.

Granted, we can exercise more wisdom in our daily interactions. We can choose better pathways, decide not to engage in certain behaviors, or interact with certain people.

But if someone robs you, that is their fault!

If someone has beaten you, abused you, or raped you: that person did YOU wrong!

There is no "what was your part in it?" nonsense.

People do evil things, yet AA wants its adherents to fall in line with the lie that "I must have had something to do with it."

Not every time! 

Yes, people can change.

Yes, the real God, the true Savior of the World, through His Son Jesus Christ, cares for us in every way.

His Holy Spirit transforms us as we see more of Him!

We do not have to do more, but rather believe and receive more from Him.

Amen!