Marked by Grace

Pastor Heath Lambert explores whether those recovering from addiction should count their days, months, or years of sobriety. With wisdom from Hebrews 13:9, he examines how tracking "clean time" can either support or potentially undermine true grace-centered recovery.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Introduction to Marked by Grace podcast

0:30 Today's question: Should addicts keep track of their clean time?

0:38 Context: Question from someone recovering from pornography addiction

1:08 Cultural practice of tracking sobriety time

1:27 Why we naturally notice the absence of addiction

2:14 Important perspective on tracking clean time

2:47 Biblical insight from Hebrews 13:9

4:04 The risks of tracking clean time

4:10 Risk #1: Pride and boasting about sobriety

4:57 Risk #2: Making clean time equivalent to victory

5:41 The essential difference between clean time and grace

6:35 The power of grace vs. the metric of clean time

6:49 Conclusion: Balance and wise perspective

KEY POINTS:

- Tracking sobriety isn't inherently wrong but carries potential spiritual risks

- Scripture teaches that our hearts should be "strengthened by grace, not by foods" (Hebrews 13:9)

- Pride can attach to long periods of sobriety, making it harder to be honest when struggling

- Overemphasizing clean time can lead to devastating discouragement after a relapse

- True recovery is measured by dependence on Christ's grace, not just time without the addiction

- Even after a relapse, 1 John 1:9 promises complete forgiveness through confession

Submit your questions for future episodes to [email protected]

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

Hebrews 13:9 - "It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods"

1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"