Temitópé Taiwo, a pastor at Saint Church, recently shared his testimony about how God set him free from drug addiction and gang lifestyle.
His Story
Temitópé’s story is mostly centered on his recovery from drug addiction and involvement in a gang. God has saved him from situations where many others he knew did not survive. But he realized something very important.
“So I kind of wear it as a badge of honor, this freedom thing,” he said. “But it was a season where I found myself really tempted and struggling again with some of… I guess the vices and the things that I thought I’d completely heal from.”
He admitted that it was always difficult to struggle with something you’ve worn as a badge of honor, knowing God had taken you from it.
Set Free From Drug Addiction And Gang Lifestyle
Temitópé also shared that there was a period when he was depressed and drank more than he should. He found himself enticed to smoke and engage in past behaviors.
“I felt real distant. I felt like I couldn’t pray, I didn’t want to go to church because it felt like everything had built my Christianity up until that point felt like it was crumbling,” he said.
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But in that moment God asked him, “How much do you think I won on the cross? How much do you think my sacrifice covered? Only when your things are good? Or is it in these moments?”
Set Free From Drug Addiction And No Condemnation
Temitópé remembered Romans 8:1 saying, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
When he realized that he was in Jesus, the feeling of condemnation left. God told him that condemnation and guilt weren’t his to hang on to. It was as if God was saying, “If you believe what I did on the cross and with my life is true, then hand it over to me. Leave all these things you’re struggling with at the foot of the cross.”
“I did and I got a real sense of freedom and you know days are still hard. There are still trials and temptations but the fact that it’s not on me to be perfect. But it’s on me just receiving what’s already been done in Christ for me is where my hope is,” Temitópé concluded.
Reference: STREAMS STUDIO
Header image: Temitópé Taiwo [STREAM STUDIO]. YouTube, 4 March 2024, https://youtu.be/3QROQwnUasA