DUNAMIS_ Self-Righteous Part 3

DUNAMIS_ Self-Righteous Part 3

What are the common struggles and victories in addiction recovery? This faith-centred session with Dr. Theresa M Bell zooms in on self-righteousness, fear and control, and how those patterns can quietly sabotage a life that claims to follow Christ. Speaking around a busy fellowship table on "Self-Righteous Part 3", Dr. Bell keeps things real and very human.

She shares her own overload at work, new responsibilities as a direct supervisor and the need to "start downsizing some stuff" because she "can't be God" or be everywhere for everyone. Anyone juggling work, ministry, family and recovery will recognise that pressure.

Grounded in scriptures such as Romans 12:19, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8–9 and Titus 3:5, she talks about people who look holy on the outside but rely on their own works, control and image rather than grace: "Self-righteous people take matters into their own hands...

they have their own kingdom." She links this to fear – fear of losing control, fear of being vulnerable, fear of trusting others – including her own fear of flying that had her joking, "I'm going to be drunk" if she ever has to get on that six-hour flight. Across the teaching, she stresses that good deeds, ministry work or clean living alone don’t "get you in"; faith in Christ, genuine heart change and the Holy Spirit do.

She also calls out religious leaders who live off the backs of struggling people, and reminds everyone that real love shows up in how we treat our families, communities and those in need, not in titles or platforms. If you’re in recovery from substances, self-reliance or people-pleasing, this session offers a blunt but caring reminder: you can’t fix everything or everyone, but you can choose faith, honesty and grace.

Where might self-righteous control still be running your life, and are you ready to let it go?