Freedom From Addiction

A Testimony of Deliverance: Freedom from Addiction Through the Name of Jesus

In June of 1992, while serving at sea on the Red Sea, I had only weeks earlier given my life to Jesus Christ as my Savior. At that time, I was deeply addicted to cigarettes—nearly two packs a day. I was young in the faith, sincere, hungry for God, but lacking sound doctrine and understanding.

Growing up, my granny used to tell me never to smoke. As a child coming out of our small country church, I remember her warning me that smoking might send me to hell. To be honest, back then I was more afraid of her green belt than anything else—but those words stayed with me.

I was so skinny that if I stood sideways with a Marlboro hanging out of my mouth, I probably looked like a number seven. Funny now—but back then it wasn’t funny. I was in a struggle. A real fight.

After I gave my life to Christ, conviction about smoking began to grow inside me. One night, standing out on deck, I cried out to God and prayed,
“Lord, in the name of Jesus, take this addiction away from me. Heal me.”

I prayed that prayer constantly.

For a while, I did okay. Then I would be around other sailors who smoked, and I would give in. Eventually, I committed to not buying cigarettes anymore. That only led to me bumming cigarettes from others—but it was progress. I went from nearly two packs a day down to maybe six cigarettes.

Every time I smoked, I immediately asked God to forgive me. I truly believed I might go to hell for it. Looking back now, I know I needed better teaching—but my heart was sincere.

Later, one of my pastors said something that stuck with me:
“You may not go to hell for smoking, but you’ll surely smell like you’ve been there.”

I wasn’t casual about my faith. I was desperate. I truly believed the God I had fallen in love with could do anything. More than anything, I did not want to disappoint Him.

For about two weeks, the struggle continued—but so did my prayers. I asked again and again for deliverance.

Then one night, after a Bible study, three men who led the study asked if they could pray with me. Their intention was for me to receive the gift of praying in tongues—though I didn’t know that at the time. Honestly, I didn’t care what the prayer was for. I just wanted freedom from cigarettes.

After everyone else left, they gathered around me. I knelt down, and they stood over me, laying hands on me. The moment they did, the atmosphere changed. It intensified. They began praying in tongues, and one of the men started to prophesy, saying:

“Since you have been asking in the name of My Son, it has been done as you asked. You will crave no more.”

Other things happened that night—some of which I responded to poorly. Later, I grieved the Holy Spirit and told God that tongues were not for me. That’s a story for another time.

But this part cannot be denied:

From that night on, I have never smoked another cigarette.
I have never craved one.
I have never desired one.

It has been over 30 years.

If that man had been falsely prophesying, I would still be smoking today. But God did exactly what I had been asking Him to do. He didn’t just help me resist—He removed the desire entirely.

The Three Keys God Taught Me About Freedom

Through this experience, God began teaching me three key truths about freedom and deliverance—truths I believe are vital for anyone who truly wants to be free.

Key #1: Repent—Deeply and Sincerely

Not casual repentance. Not religious words.
Deep, sincere repentance moves the Spirit of God.

Scripture tells us, “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). I’m sure the Lord was interceding for me while I was flooding my windpipes with smoke.

But repentance matters far beyond salvation. We have an enemy who looks for access points in our lives to damage our faith and stunt our spiritual growth. Smoking was killing my confidence and weakening my faith.

There are countless scriptures that speak to repentance beyond the moment of salvation.

Key #2: Be Desperate, Not Casual

I wasn’t casual—I was desperate.

I knew God had to deliver me because I could not free myself. The Bible says, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).

I knew I was righteous—not by my works, but by His. For two weeks, I prayed earnestly without quitting or giving up.

I’ve since learned we are supposed to speak to our mountains—but back then, I was mostly whining at mine. Still, the Lord showed up. He healed me. He may have even delivered me from a spirit of addiction.

And I was free.

Key #3: Ask in Faith, in the Name of Jesus

The real key was asking in the Name of Jesus.

He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. I came to Him over and over in faith—much like the widow before the unjust judge.

I asked.
I believed.
And I did it in His Name.

The three keys are simple, but they are powerful:

1. Repent sincerely

2. Be desperate, not casual

3. Ask in faith, in the Name of Jesus

Over time, as I grew in the Lord and was entrusted with more responsibility, I began to understand there was another key operating as well—one the Lord Himself calls a key. Jesus spoke of it in Matthew 16:19. I didn’t understand it then, but I would later learn that maturity, responsibility, and authority in Christ are closely connected. That’s a teaching for another time.

He still delivers.

Love Pastor Steve & Selfiah