Overcoming Addiction

An addiction is a compulsive, physical need for a habit forming substance. An addict is one who is given to, devoted to, or obsessed with something habitually.

Though we are all born sinners and unable to meet God’s standard of righteousness, we are not usually born addicted to something like drugs or alcohol. These addictions come as a result of our searching for something to fill the void that sin leaves in the human heart. Addictions come in all shapes, sizes and colors. We can be addicted to anything that we choose to give ourselves to, even to good, God given things like food, drink or our possessions. It is our desire for instant gratification that makes us vulnerable to addictive things.

Addiction is a form of idolatry. Anything that we allow to have power over us or to take the place of God in our lives is an idol. Worship is surrender, to give controlling power to God or to other gods. We may not realize it but, hidden behind physical idols or objects of worship, is a spiritual being of the enemy. Since the fall of Satan, his goal has been to cause those who were designed to worship God, to instead worship him. Satan knows the weakness of human flesh and uses addictive substances to gain power and control over us.

Though we are alive in this world, true abundant life is only found in God. Jesus said in John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. NKJV

Our enemy’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy what God has made and called good. Satan cunningly appeals to our emptiness with things that look good and promise to satisfy but are perverted and poisoned with sin and death. Our flesh is not eternal. It is made from the dust of the earth. Our flesh has nothing to lose by giving in to its own cravings because it is destined to return to the dust. Our spirit and soul are eternal and can not afford to allow our flesh to lead us into destruction.

If the good news of the gospel is that Jesus has destroyed the power of the enemy, why is it that our enemy still has such power over us? The answer lies in the death to our flesh. Jesus has provided a way for us to put off the old man of flesh and put on the new man which is fashioned after Christ. The problem is, it does not happen automatically: it is a lifelong walk. We must daily take up our cross and follow after Jesus to become His disciples. Our flesh man will not take this lying down, but will put on whatever disguise necessary to stay alive. From my own experience, the most common disguise is religion. He will try real hard to be good so as to not be put off or hung on the cross.

I am convinced that all sinners are addicts. Many addictions are easier to hide and are even accepted as a normal way of life. The solution to all addictions is the same: we must become like Christ. We must be partakers of the divine nature.

2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. NKJV

Overcoming addiction is achieved in knowing Him and receiving the divine power of His nature. As a result, we will escape the corruption of this world that finds its way into our lives through our fleshly desires.

Though our own flesh can seem to be our worst enemy, our battle is spiritual. 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,. NKJV

Addictions are strongholds in the fleshly mind that can only be pulled down by the power of God. There can be an instantaneous deliverance from the power of addictions, but if our thinking is not changed by the renewing of the mind, we will not overcome for the long haul. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Worship is surrender to the greater one. We become like the one we worship, either God or dumb idols of addiction.