“Addiction” New Ways of Seeing and Walking Free, Part 14
“The unfolding of Your words gives life; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130) We have been looking at how the Bible approaches addiction. The Bible’s approach is far superior to the world’s medical-biological approach which is not as wide and deep as the Bible’s explanation. The world completely discounts the role of the heart, the soul, the center of worship, desire, and longing: all of which define addiction. Battling addiction is the ongoing saga of the Serpent in the Garden. We walk along, minding our own business, when temptation appears from the most unlikely source. We have distanced ourselves from old drinking buddies, bars, parties, and places where we might “coincidentally” run into a drug supplier, but who could anticipate the article in the paper, the song on the radio, the sudden emergence of a good memory, or a bad one? When a “serpent” comes across our path speaking lies, we must either run from it or kill it. We cannot sit around and have a friendly chat with it. Addictive sin doesn’t just show up and dominate us. It sneaks up quietly. It gently appeals to our imagination. It shows us the best commercial we will ever see, falsely advertising itself in such a way that we are amazed that we have been able to live without it. This is where the battle is fought: in the arena of the heart, soul, mind, desires, passions, and “wants,” and in the trenches of the unexpected, “little” temptations. When temptation comes, we must live mindfully. Look past the façade of temporary pleasure and notice the smell of death that goes with it. If the temptation hooks your desires, go public. Confess it to a friend, confess it to the Lord, get other people praying for you; ask for counsel that helps you to see that the serpent is dangerous. Above all, remember that God’s promises and commands are good! God’s commands and promises are intended to bless you. Notice the strong and pleading exhortations to us from Scripture: “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light and find out what pleases the Lord. The fruit of the light consists of everything good, right, and true. Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Be very careful then how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:8-15). Why would God allow temptations? They are divine testings that reveal our hearts. Isn’t it true that we really don’t know ourselves until we are put to the test? Our advocate, Jesus Christ, was successful in His time of testing. By faith we have His record rather than our own. Jesus is sympathetic to the testing and external temptations we face daily. He knows precisely what it is like. As a result, Scripture emphasizes that Jesus is eager to give grace and mercy during our times of special need (Hebrews 4:15-16). God’s Word could not be clearer: there is no temptation that can lead us irresistibly into sin (1 Corinthians 10:13). If we look for it, God always provides a way out by His grace and mercy. Just two more installments in this series on a biblical approach to addiction. If you would like previous installments, please contact the church office.
