Addiction is a tough row to hoe. It has mental, physical, and emotional parts. Whether it’s sex and pornography, food and over-eating, alcohol, prescription drugs, laziness, or something else, it is real, and we are all susceptible to its power. But there is hope in overcoming addiction.
Addiction is also a spiritual issue. It involves loving something more than the Lord and no fear of the Lord. It is a question of desire and the nature of our divided hearts. What do you really desire, Christ or the thing you’re addicted to? What competes with Christ for your love and attention and affection? The root of addiction is sin and idolatry, chasing after things that do not satisfy. We forsake the Lord, the fountain of living waters, and carve out cisterns for ourselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13).
In our fight against addiction, sin and idolatry do not always go away easily. Sometimes it is a long road and a hard battle. The key to winning the game of RISK is to take a little bit of land at a time, and that is often what overcoming addiction is like. We are to kill the flesh, fight the good fight, and encourage one another daily. Break the neck of sin and addiction. Build some walls of protection and fortify the castle against the enemy. Addiction is overcome in community; enlist the help of some other soldiers to help you in your battle.
Who or what is king in your life? The one true God or worthless idols? Who or what do you worship? Who or what do you trust? Have you put your faith in Christ? Is he Lord and Savior and treasure of your life? God can get your attention through addiction. Now is the time to listen to the Father’s instruction, pay attention and gain understanding (Prov 4:1). Ask Him for an undivided heart (Psalm 86:11). Be warned that, “neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” Do you know and follow Christ today? Do not live for yourself but for him who died for you and was raised again (2 Corinthians 5:15). Turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He has raised from the dead (1 Thess 1:9-10). Say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life in this present age while you wait for your Blessed Hope: the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus (Titus 2:11-14).
God’s divine power has given you everything you need for life and godliness through your knowledge of him who called you by his own glory and goodness (2 Peter 1:3). Do not worship false idols, but only the Lord, the one who deserves your worship. You can win this battle against addiction. Please seek help today.