“Addiction” New Ways of Seeing and Walking Free Part 12
“The unfolding of Your words gives life; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130) Would it sound strange if I mentioned Satan in connection with addiction? Usually, it only sounds odd to someone who has never experienced the true bondage of addiction. There are many sins in which Satan’s lordship is hidden – the subtle lies of polite conversations, fudging on the truth “just a little.” Though we cannot blame Satan for our sin, it isn’t hard to detect his oversight when it comes to addictions. The bondage, lies, and accusations are blatant. The Kingdom of God that Jesus inaugurated overpowers the kingdom of Satan. At one time, all people were easy prey, susceptible to Satan’s devices. But now “the prince of this world” stands condemned before Christ (John 16:11). He cannot dominate Christ or those who have His Spirit. Scripture warns us to be alert to Satan, stressing that we can “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” and we can “stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10-11). We can “resist him by standing firm in The Faith” (1 Peter 5:9). Even more than that, if we properly resist him, he will flee from us (James 4:7). This changes the way we do battle. Instead of assuming that the battle will be lost, instead of just trying to last long enough to slow the inevitable onslaught of the enemy, in Christ we have been promised victory. We are given all the resources of Jesus Christ in our fight. The battle is waged with the passion of an army that knows the momentum has shifted. The fighting may be fierce, but those who know they can and will win can fight with abandon. Satan tries to accuse us, suggesting that with every single slip we make, we are condemned. His goal is to take us out of the battle, incapacitated by despair. Like an enemy using false propaganda to demoralize its foe, Satan will tell us that we have been abandoned by the commanding Officer. Addicts are easy prey for such accusations and lies, and need to be encouraged and reminded of the victory in Jesus. Yes, there is pride, arrogance, and an unwillingness to hear counsel among addicts, but “high-handed” pride is not the only feature of addiction. There is also a sense of hopelessness and uselessness. Addicts feel like they are getting what they deserve. Of course, even this despair can be used as an excuse for continuing their addictions, but it is also what they genuinely feel. Every addict lives with the experience of inner condemnation. Change will not take place under a load of guilt and condemnation, so Scripture invites us to the grace that comes from God through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). GRACE communicates two important truths. First and most importantly, it reveals the character of God. God delights in showing grace to those who turn to Him. God is One who surprises us in His eagerness to show grace. Secondly, grace says something about us. It says that we can’t pay God back for our sins against Him. Contrary to what many think, when we see our sin clearly as the rebellion against God that Scripture says it is, it actually leads to greater joy (Luke 7:41-42). To receive Grace from God is to acknowledge that we do not have righteousness without ourselves. The human instinct is to choose to be miserable and full of self-loathing as a way to do “penance” before God. This is typical of many addictive cycles. The world avoids any discussion of sin because it does not know the astounding grace of God. We can admit sin, and find hope and help for addiction, because we confess faith in the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
