#384 - Your Recovery Labels Determine Your Cure! | Dr. Mark E. Shaw

Can an "alcoholic" be saved? It is a highly provocative question, but the answer fundamentally changes how we approach addiction. Dr. Mark E. Shaw tackles a controversial topic: why diagnosing addiction as a "disease" points people away from the only true cure. When you label yourself an "alcoholic" with a disease, you remove personal responsibility and the need for a Savior. But when you use biblical language — recognizing the struggle as drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18) or idolatry of the heart — it reveals a sin problem. And a sin problem has a definitive, glorious solution: the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ. Discover why language acts as a signpost in your recovery, and why biblical counseling pursues both inner heart transformation - and outer behavioral change. 0:00 Intro & The Controversial Statement 1:30 The Problem with the "Disease" Diagnosis 3:15 Ephesians 5:18 & The Biblical Diagnosis 4:45 Why Language is Never Neutral 6:15 Inner Heart Change vs. Outer Behavior 10:00 Reinterpreting the Language to Share the Gospel 12:15 Final Thoughts ☕ TAC Chapter House has officially launched! Pick up select books and premium whole-bean coffee. Every purchase is a practical way to help us bring the Hope of the Gospel to the Heart of Addiction: https://tac-chapter-house-2026.square... Mark E. Shaw, D.Min., founded The Addiction Connection in 2012 and is the author of 30 publications on addictions and biblical counseling. He serves as Nocatee Campus Pastor of Counseling at First Baptist Church Jacksonville (FL). Equip your church and ministry team with practical, Christ-centered counseling tools. 🔴🎓 COUNSEL MEMBERSHIP: Stream 133+ video workshops, TAC summit recordings, training sessions & much more: 👉 https://theaddictionconnection.thinki... 🆘 NEED ADDICTION HELP & RESOURCES? Get Help Now: https://www.theaddictionconnection.or... Residential Programs: https://www.theaddictionconnection.or... Non-Residential Programs: https://www.theaddictionconnection.or... 🎙️ LISTEN TO THE TAC PODCAST (New Episodes Weekly): https://anchor.fm/theaddictionconnection 📖 ABOUT THE ADDICTION CONNECTION: Connecting the Hope of the Gospel with the Heart of Addiction. Website: https://theaddictionconnection.org Statement of Faith: https://www.theaddictionconnection.or... 🧑🏽‍💻🎉 Donate to The Addiction Connection: theaddictionconnection.org/give/ #BiblicalCounseling #MinistryLeadership #AddictionRecovery #MarkEShaw #PastoralCare #TACSummit #ChristianCounseling #ChurchMinistry #theaddictionconnection #sanctification #christianpodcast #12steps #alcoholicsanonymous