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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? 

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.  
  1. Detect and Confirm. Whenever suspected, wise family and friends look into it rather than avert their eyes because of fear or discomfort. 
  2. Directly and gently confront the addict. It's about gathering relatives, friends calling the addict to repent, and presenting a plan for change. See Galatians 6.1-2. 
  1. A Christian residential program providing around the clock supervision and counsel for 30-90 days may be needed. Know your local resources and financial arrangements needed. 
  2. Counseling. Following are issues to be addressed when counseling an addict. 
  • Assess the lifestyle. Know their background, details of their addiction and their daily life. 
  • Ensure accountability and prayer partners (several times a week)
  • Learn what they believe about their addiction - is it a family trait - and get a commitment to change.
  • Teach spiritual truth and disciplines. Instruction and discipleship about how to do spiritual battle and fight the good fight for faith and obedience. 
    • Biblical teaching on putting off/putting on and renewing the mind.
    • The addict needs to understand sin and sanctification, repentance and forgiveness.   
  • Encourage identifying and expressing emotions especially love for others.
  • Fellowship as part of the plan for change. This is a job for the church, not one person. 
  • Prevent relapses. Develop "walls and fences"; demons our helpers in to minimize backsliding. 
  • Lastly, do not get discouraged with relapses. Those who have successfully conquered addiction fail several times before they achieve victory.
               ======================== 

​From an online article by the author, Sam Williams
 
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