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Sanctification and Recovery from Addiction or Sin

Sanctification is the process by which a person is made holy, set apart for God's service, and progressively conformed to His will [1, 2]. It is a work of the Holy Spirit that brings the entire human nature under the influence of the new principles implanted during regeneration, carrying to perfection the work that began at that point [1]. This process extends to the whole person [1].

The concept of sanctification is deeply rooted in biblical texts. In the Old Testament, the idea of being "sanctified" often relates to being set apart for a sacred purpose or purified from ritual uncleanness [2, 5, 7]. For instance, the Lord declares, "I am the LORD who sanctifies them" in the context of allowing people to eat sacred offerings [5]. Similarly, individuals were instructed to "sanctify yourselves" by changing clothes, washing, and preparing their minds for worship and sacrifice [19]. The purification rituals, such as those on the Day of Atonement or for leprosy, aimed to restore individuals to full participation in the community and its religious life [7, 8].

In the New Testament, sanctification takes on a more profound spiritual meaning, though it retains the sense of being set apart. Jesus, for example, "sanctifies" through his atonement [2]. The Apostle Paul writes that believers are "sanctified through the word of God and prayer" [6]. He also states that believers are "sanctified by faith in me" [3]. The Holy Spirit is central to this process, as indicated in Romans 15:16 and 1 Corinthians 6:11, where believers are described as "sanctified by the Spirit of our God" [1, 2]. This work of the Spirit is not merely a moral reformation but a transformative process [1].

Sanctification is often understood in relation to other theological concepts:

The scope of sanctification is comprehensive, extending to the "whole man" [1]. It involves the mortification of sin [2]. John Gill describes internal sanctification as a work of the Spirit that implants a principle of spiritual life, divine light in the understanding, a will aligned with God's, and affections set on divine things [18]. External sanctification, then, is the outward manifestation of this inner change in a holy life and conversation [18].

The relationship between sanctification and recovery from addiction or sin is a significant area of discussion. Sin is understood as a fundamental human condition, with all human beings born as sinners [9]. It is characterized by acts of vanity, disobedience, and rebellion against God [10, 11, 12]. The Apostle Paul emphasizes universal sinfulness, stating that both Gentiles and Jews are under sin's power [13]. Sin is not merely a mistake but a deliberate act of rebellion, often committed with an insolent or arrogant attitude [12]. The Bible also speaks of "great sin" as rebellion [12].

Recovery from addiction or habitual sin, in this context, is seen as an integral part of the sanctification process. The struggle against sin is a hallmark of the godly, in contrast to the wicked who indulge their sinful nature [9]. The process of sanctification involves fighting against one's sinful nature [9]. When individuals commit sin, even after conversion, it indicates a continued struggle with the "corrupt old nature" [14]. However, denying the presence of sin in one's life is seen as making God a liar [14].

The New Testament highlights that believers are called to turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, receiving remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith [3]. This turning away from sin and toward God is a continuous process. The will of God for believers is their sanctification, which includes abstaining from sexual immorality and living in holiness [18].

The transformative power of Christ is central to this recovery. Believers are claimed by Christ, and in Christ, they are ultimately claimed by God [15]. The atonement of Christ is a means through which sanctification is achieved [2]. Adam Clarke notes that the Old Testament purification rituals, while addressing legal disabilities, adumbrated the deeper spiritual purification of the soul [16]. This suggests a continuity where the ceremonial purifications pointed to the ultimate spiritual cleansing and setting apart that Christ accomplishes.

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
  3. Acts “to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ -- Acts 26:18”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Perfection — See [467]SANCTIFICATION.”
  5. Leviticus “Leviticus 22:16 (BSB) — by allowing the people to eat the sacred offerings and thus to bear the punishment for guilt. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.””
  6. I Timothy “I Timothy 4:5 (ASV) — for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Purification — The process by which a person unclean, according to the Levitical law, and thereby cut off from the sanctuary and the festivals, was restored to the enjoyment of all these privileges. The great annual purification of the people was on the Day of Atonement (q.v.). But in the details of daily life there were special causes of cermonial uncleanness which were severally provided for by ceremonial laws enacted for each separate case. For example, the case of the leper (Lev. 13, 14), and of the house defiled by leprosy (14:49-53; see also Matt. 8:2-4). Uncle”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin-offering — (Heb. hattath), the law of, is given in detail in Lev. 4-6:13; 9:7-11, 22-24; 12:6-8; 15:2, 14, 25-30; 14:19, 31; Num. 6:10-14. On the day of Atonement it was made with special solemnity (Lev. 16:5, 11, 15). The blood was then carried into the holy of holies and sprinkled on the mercy-seat. Sin-offerings were also presented at the five annual festivals (Num. 28, 29), and on the occasion of the consecration of the priests (Ex. 29:10-14, 36). As each individual, even the most private member of the congregation, as well as the congregation at large, and t”
  9. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  10. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
  11. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  12. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
  13. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  14. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
  15. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
  16. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 9:13: Sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh - Answers the end proposed by the law; namely, to remove legal disabilities and punishments, having the body and its interests particularly in view, though adumbrating or typifying the soul and its concerns.”
  17. Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 1:27: Zion shall be redeemed with judgment,.... The blessing of redemption by Christ is the source and foundation of the other blessings of grace, before mentioned, the little remnant are favoured with, as justification, pardon of sin, and conversion, Isa 1:18, Isa 1:25 it is of a spiritual nature; the redemption of the soul is a deliverance from the captivity of sin, Satan, and the law, and is plenteous and eternal; the objects of redeeming grace are "Zion" and her converts; not the world, but the church is redeemed by Christ; for by Zion is meant, not a place, but peopl”
  18. 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:3: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification,.... Which is another reason to enforce the above exhortation. "Sanctification" is internal or external. Internal sanctification is the work of the Spirit of God, and is a principle of spiritual life in the soul, a divine and spiritual light in the understanding, a flexion of the will to the will of God, and a settlement of the affections on divine things, and is an implantation of every grace in the heart. External sanctification arises from this, and lies in holiness of life and conversation; and is what ”
  19. 1 Samuel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Samuel 16:5: Sanctify yourselves - Change your clothes, and wash your bodies in pure water, and prepare your minds by meditation, reflection, and prayer; that, being in the spirit of sacrifice, ye may offer acceptably to the Lord.”
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