A Biblical approach to Addictions
"It is vain to contend with anything that has the power of our affections in its disposal; it will prevail at the last."
John Owen
What type of person becomes an addict? There isn't a definitive profile of an "addictive personality".
Addictions more than anything else portray loudly the battle with sin that takes place in every human heart.
Who are the Addicts?
Addicts come in all shapes and sizes: CEO's, white collar professionals, deacons and Sunday school teachers. Street people and bag ladies. But, these addicts all share the same thing: desire, thirst, hunger, longing, craving and lust. Addiction lives in the same family. The difference between you, me and the addict is unseen.
Currently, the disease model and 12-step programs dominate the response to addictions. There is one problem with the medical disease model. The cause of the "disease" has never been identified. There is no gene or virus or bacteria or metabolic deficiency or neuropathology conclusively proven to be the cause of any addiction. Is addicts disease like cancer or diabetes? Or, is disease only a metaphor for sin-sickness and the devastation that follows?
John Owen
What type of person becomes an addict? There isn't a definitive profile of an "addictive personality".
Addictions more than anything else portray loudly the battle with sin that takes place in every human heart.
Who are the Addicts?
Addicts come in all shapes and sizes: CEO's, white collar professionals, deacons and Sunday school teachers. Street people and bag ladies. But, these addicts all share the same thing: desire, thirst, hunger, longing, craving and lust. Addiction lives in the same family. The difference between you, me and the addict is unseen.
Currently, the disease model and 12-step programs dominate the response to addictions. There is one problem with the medical disease model. The cause of the "disease" has never been identified. There is no gene or virus or bacteria or metabolic deficiency or neuropathology conclusively proven to be the cause of any addiction. Is addicts disease like cancer or diabetes? Or, is disease only a metaphor for sin-sickness and the devastation that follows?
Addiction as a "Worship Disorder" "The disease theory persists because no others are readily available ... If Scripture doesn't guide us, then something else will... An addiction is a worship disorder. Rather than worship the divine King, addicts worship idols that temporarily satisfy physical desire." Ed Welch
What began as a friendship becomes infatuation, then a love affair, then the addict is enslaved - a fatal attraction. Something has gone wrong with the addicts desires. The idol intended to serve him, initially to help him/her feel better, stronger or more in control - turns on her/him until the addict recognizes, "I no longer have a choice." Jesus knew this for he said "Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin" (John 8.34). Paul said, "Do you not know if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of who you obey - sin leading to death or obedience leading to righteousness?" (Romans 6.16 ) Biblical sin is both the voluntary/purposeful/rebellious and the enslaved/ deceived/ out-of-control aspects of addiction. Addiction is bondage you choose to sign up for, and then realize it was not what you wanted. Biblical Care for the Addict Addiction is disordered, sinful, idolatrous worship so let us look at what would be the solution.
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From an online article by the author, Sam Williams |
