Doug Rea

Recidivism is a very common occurrence in the prison system. I learned the term and the concept from Fonta High, our lead counselor at Connections.  According to Merriam-Webster.com recidivism is "a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior; especially : relapse into criminal behavior" 

Do you ever do the wrong thing over and over again?

The Apostle Paul did as well, (see Romans 7).   Frankly, I was somewhat glad to see that I am not alone in the world and that others have daily issues to deal with. No wonder Paul said, "I die DAILY."  I began to pray about this matter, I asked the Lord to show me in His word a way to defeat this particular enemy. Was I going to be bound for ever? Is it true that once a sinner always a sinner - that the old dog can't learn new trick?  Is the leapord doomed to never change his spots?  

So how do we break these patterns and cycles of behavior?
I believe that in Acts 9, the well known conversion chapter of Paul, may just have  the key.

GET A NEW LANGUAGE 
The first thing that Paul needed was to stop saying about Christians what he ha been saying and learn what God wanted him to say. No longer was he breathing threats but rather he was saying to The Lord, "What will you have me do." Notice the total surrender that was flowing from his heart. Later Paul would address the use of our words in a number of places in writings. I have a daughter who is mastering weight and health issues. She is using a well known program that may be against this site's policy to mention by name - so I will refrain. But in that program I noticed some distinct patterns of behavior that had to be changed before the shackles would fall and a new language is part of it. I know when the cults get a hold of a new convert they quickly teach them what to say and what NOT to say in a given situation. Either way we know that there is a power to using the correct "language". My daughter uses new terminology now then what she did before she lost so much weight. Where she would have said, "pass the potatoes", she now asks, "How were these prepared?" The bible speaks much about the words we use. To get ourselves free from doing the same old thing over and over again we must first have a new language starting with, "What will you have me do?"

GET A NEW COMMUNITY
Paul's old friends' sought to kill him! At the same time, the new friends were lowering him over the wall, in a basket at night. A NEW COMMUNITY! We are fools to think that we can hang around the same ole crowd and still change for the better. I am not saying converse only with Christians. That violates what Jesus said, "Father, don't take them out of the world." The bible also says to be in the world but not of the world. How will they know unless we are in the world - shining brightly? Support groups are essential in most every addict recovery situation. We must find people that are in the place where we want to be and do what they do. Want to be broke all your life? Find broke people and do what they do. Want financial stability? Find those people and mimic the principles that they operate by. It will work because God is no respecter of persons. A new community is an essential part of breaking recidivism.

GET A NEW MENTOR
I wrote on this a little at the end of the last paragraph. Paul went to all the best schools and was no doubt exposed to the greatest minds of his day. But he was taught wrong. His first new mentor was a guy by the name of Ananias. Dear friend, I am sorry to say this but as much as you love your mom and dad...you had better ask your self if everything they taught you was correct and aligned with what The Lord says. Who is teaching you about morals and of the value of life? Is it your favorite political party? Do you get your information from you friends or what is heard on the news? Ask the Lord to send people into your life to help you deal with a specific issue that seems to always get the best of you. I know the world of sociology and psychiatry would like to take credit for solving recidivism. As we can see, though, it was God's word that had the answer all along.

How then to we change those patterns that seemed to be rooted deep in our minds? 

1) Learn a new language, a biblical language, say what God says. After all, that is the real meaning of the word "confess"

2) Find a new community - go to church if you don't already. Take a class for the local community college or attend a seminar. Don't go after this alone. The body of Christ joins together in such a way that each part supplies the other. I didn't say this - the bible did. Find a support group if you must. Most of all, stay away form those who will take you down that some old path of destruction. Be friendly but let no one into your inner circle that can't help you to grow.

3) Then of course - get a mentor. Timothy had Paul. I have several - an overseer for church matters, a spiritual father to help me with life and family, a business man to help me in that area, and my daughter is teaching me healthy eating and exercise habits.

What do you think?