ARE YOU ADDICTED TO SOMETHING?
When you think about the word “addiction”, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s drugs or alcohol. Maybe it’s a family member who has suffered from an addiction. Maybe it’s you.
The reality of addiction is a lot different than it’s often thought to be. Addiction is defined as a person being “physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects.”
Are you addicted?
As Christians, we recognize addictions that have physical, visible adverse effects, but we also recognize addictions that may be easier to hide.
Drug and alcohol addictions are very real and painful conditions.
So is being addicted to pornography, which has been proven to damage and break up relationships and marriages. So is being addicted to food, or being addicted to lack of food. So is addiction to video games, shopping, working out, cleaning, social media… anything or anyone that isn’t Jesus.
In the Bible, this is really called an “idol”: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5).
In the book of Exodus, we see God’s people literally building statues to worship before God. Today, our idols usually don’t look so literal or obvious.
How do I know if I’m addicted/idolizing?
“[An idol is] anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, and anything that you seek to give you what only God can give.” - Timothy Keller
God speaks to Ezekiel and says, “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests?” (Ezekiel 14:3)
So, an idol is something you love in your heart, and that makes you fall into sin.
Here is one example:
Lie: Being a wife will complete me. I will be happier, fulfilled, and life will be better forever.
Who is the idol in this scenario? The husband.
Truth: Your husband can never complete you; that’s not his purpose, nor within his ability. You are, however, the Bride of Christ, and HE will complete you (Colossians 2:10).
So, Friend: what is “set up in your heart”? What do you embrace for fulfillment and sustenance? What consumes your thought life? What are the patterns of your life?
Even if the answer is socially/culturally accepted, that doesn’t mean it’s not an idol or something God may ask you to give up.
Take working out, for example.
If your “whole day is thrown off” because you can’t get in a workout, if you’re constantly watching fitness videos, thinking about how you’re going to improve your fitness, and obsessing about “progress,” fitness very well may be an idol. Ultimately, this is between you and Jesus, and something to bring before Him, willing, always, to lay it down if He asks you to. It may even be just for a season. Or, He might show you how this good thing that you’ve made a “god thing” can still be a part of your life. Let Him speak and lead you; He will not fail to do so.
On the other hand, an idol in your life may be something that is not a good thing at all, such as pornography/lusting, drugs, or binge-drinking. Lay this struggle before the Lord and ask His Holy Spirit to work His self-control through you.
No matter what an idol in your heart may be, God wants better for you. He wants His Son’s life to be lived through you. If you don’t know exactly where to start in surrendering an idol, or feel you are struggling with an addiction that you need some extra help with, Freedom Session is an amazing way to commit to pursuing freedom in Christ with fellow believers. We start a new session twice a year at C3KW, and are so in awe of the kind of freedom our God brings through it.
We’d also love to get you in a Connect Group to help you grow in your faith, share struggles with fellow believers, and have accountability in pursuing Christ and for support in healing/finding freedom from any sort of addiction or idol.