Note from Pastor: “Addiction” New Ways of Seeing and Walking Free, Part 8
“The unfolding of Your words gives life; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130) In this series we have highlighted some biblical metaphors for addiction (idolatry, adultery, foolishness, disease/illness, being attacked by wild beasts) to help us understand God’s perspective on the issue. These metaphors have clearly highlighted something: principles for change for addiction are similar to those for any other sin problem. And to overcome life-dominating sin in our life, we have to “stay violent” against it. Matthew 11:12; 18:8, says, “…the Kingdom of God was forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.” There is a mean streak to authentic self-control. Self-control is not for the timid. Underneath the surface of those we admire who are not ruled by their desires is the heart of a warrior. Listen closely my dear friends. Do you want to grow in self-control (in any area in your life)? If so, you must do two things daily: 1) Nurture an exuberance for Jesus Christ, and 2) Demand of yourself a hatred for sin. It cannot be one or the other; it must be both. When was the last time you said “no” to something, out of obedience to Christ, when it actually was hard to say “no”? Maybe it’s easy for you to say “no” to cocaine, but your eyes linger too long in lust. Maybe you can say “no” to the second or third drink, but you will never miss dessert, though you vow every week to change your eating habits. Whatever earthly desire doesn’t take “no” for an answer is a lust that surpasses your desire for Jesus Himself. Please remember that self-control isn’t merely an exercise in self-improvement. It is an essential discipline in a high-stakes spiritual battle. The only possible attitude toward out-of-control desires is a declaration of all-out war. Actually, the war has been declared. The enemy has already made a preemptive strike; sinful desires already “war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11) We simply need to be awakened by faith to engage in a counterattack! “Be very careful how you live. Put on the full armor of God. Prepare your minds for action. Make every effort. Be self-controlled and alert.” (Ephesians 5:15; 6:11; 1 Peter 1:13; 5:5; 2 Peter 1:5) These verses are battle cries, and Scripture is full of them. This is not traditional warfare where the enemy lines up and we do battle. It is modern warfare in which we are not always sure where the enemy lurks. It is guerilla warfare. There are strategically placed snipers. If we let down our guard for even one moment, the village we thought was safe, suddenly opens fire on us! Spiritual warfare, trying to gain self-control, tends to be especially covert. Even addicts can appear to be managing their lives well. But looks are deceiving. Our problem is that we often forget that we are in a war. The good thing about “declaring war” on our addictions and on our lack of self-control in any area, is that there is something about war that sharpens our senses, makes us more alert, makes us sensitive to the hiding enemy. And so, to overcome life-dominating sin (addiction), we must first make a declaration of war against sin and against our own lack of self-control. Next time, we will learn more about how to do that.
