Rhythm of recovery

The Ten Commandments are not old or outdated. They come directly from the heart of God — and since He never changes, neither does His truth. These commands are more than rules; they reveal God’s design for a life that flourishes.

Even though we are forgiven and made new through Christ, we are still called to live lives marked by holiness and purity. The fruit of our lives is the visible proof of our faith.

These Ten Commitments are not a path to earn salvation — for salvation comes by grace through Christ alone — but they help us understand God’s heart. As we meditate on them, they begin to transform ours, leading us into freedom, purpose, and restored relationship with Him and others.

A Christ-centered reflection on the Ten Commandments through the lens of restoration and renewal.

1. Have no other gods before Me → “Put God First”

Heart of God: He knows only His love can truly satisfy and heal.
Recovery Focus: Let go of idols — substances, relationships, control, or approval — that take God’s place in your heart.

“Only God can restore what was broken and fill what was empty.”

2. Do not make idols → “Let Go of False Fixes”

Heart of God: He wants us free from the things we build to numb pain or replace His presence.
Recovery Focus: Surrender anything you turn to for comfort instead of God — people, pleasure, performance, or painkillers.

“What we obey is our god. Choose what heals, not what hides.”

3. Do not misuse God’s name → “Honor the Source of Your Strength”

Heart of God: His name represents His character — steadfast, faithful, holy.
Recovery Focus: Speak truthfully about your recovery and about God’s work in your life. To use His name is to live His way. Anything else is blasphemy. 

“God’s name is not a label; it’s the lifeline that gives meaning to yours.”

4. Remember the Sabbath → “Rest and Recharge in God’s Grace”

Heart of God: You’re not a machine — rest is sacred, not selfish.
Recovery Focus: Build rhythms of rest, reflection, and gratitude into your week. Healing happens in stillness. 

“Recovery requires rhythm — pause, breathe, focus in Christ and let God restore your soul.”

5. Honor your father and mother → “Heal from the Past, Honor Through Growth”

Heart of God: Family shapes us deeply, but He can redeem every story.
Recovery Focus: Acknowledge where broken relationships have caused wounds. Choose forgiveness — even when reconciliation isn’t possible.

“Honor isn’t ignoring pain — it’s choosing healing over hatred.”

6. Do not murder → “Value Life — Yours and Others’”

Heart of God: Life is sacred. Anger, resentment, and violence destroy the soul.
Recovery Focus: Let go of destructive thoughts and behaviors. Choose gentleness — especially with yourself.

“Each sober day is a declaration: I choose life.”

7. Do not commit adultery → “Be Faithful — in Heart and Habit”

Heart of God: He calls us to real intimacy built on trust, not escape.
Recovery Focus: Practice integrity in your relationships and honesty in your thoughts.

“Faithfulness isn’t perfection — it’s consistency in the same direction.”

Heart of God: God desires that we live with gratitude and integrity, trusting Him to provide what we need. Stealing reveals fear — the fear that God won’t come through.
Recovery Focus: In addiction, we often took — time, trust, opportunities, even peace from others and ourselves. Recovery teaches us to live differently: to give back, to make amends, and to find satisfaction in what God has already given.

“Freedom begins when we stop taking and start restoring.”

9. Do not bear false witness → “Walk in Truth and Transparency”

Heart of God: Lies fracture community; truth restores connection.
Recovery Focus: Tell the truth — to God, to yourself, and to others. Secrets lose power when brought to light.

“Healing begins where honesty begins.”

10. Do not covet → “Be Content — Gratitude is Your Freedom”

Heart of God: He wants you to be free from comparison and craving.
Recovery Focus: Gratitude turns what we have into enough. Recovery isn’t about having more — it’s about being whole.

“Peace comes when you stop chasing what God never promised.”

Let these Ten Commitments guide our minds and guard our hearts. Real and lasting change begins when we draw near to God — because only His presence transforms us from the inside out.

Sobriety is a beautiful step, but our ultimate goal is eternal salvation. We are not defined by the label of “addict” or by our past, but by the grace of God that makes us new.

We are all born under the curse of sin that came through Adam (Romans 5), but through Christ, we are given the choice of a new identity — one that leads to life. 

For in Adam, all die; but in Christ, all shall live.

1.  Realize I am not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life has become unmanageable.

Theme: Surrender and humility.

Romans 7:18–19 (ESV) – “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.”
Psalm 34:18 (ESV) – “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

2.  Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.

Theme: Faith and belief in God’s care.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) – “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Psalm 40:1–2 (ESV) – “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction… and set my feet upon a rock.”

3.  Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control.

Theme: Total surrender and lordship.

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) – “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice… Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”
Matthew 16:24 (ESV) – “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

4.  Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.

Theme: Confession, honesty, and cleansing.

1 John 1:9 (ESV) – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
James 5:16 (ESV) – “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

5.  Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.

Theme: Surrendered transformation.

Philippians 1:6 (ESV) – “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV) – “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.”

6.  Evaluate all my relationships; offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others.

Theme: Forgiveness and reconciliation.

Ephesians 4:31–32 (ESV) – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Matthew 5:23–24 (ESV) – “First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

7.  Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer.

Theme: Daily renewal and connection.

John 15:4–5 (ESV) – “Abide in me, and I in you… for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Psalm 119:11 (ESV) – “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

8.  Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and my words.

Theme: Mission and purpose.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (ESV) – “The God of all comfort… comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction.”
Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) – “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”