Be Freed from Addiction!
Opioids. Heroin. Cocaine. Alcohol. Gambling. Anything can have its beneficial use but all of these are better known for their abuse. Very often, voluntary abuse becomes compulsive and the abuser becomes an addict. Addiction to various things is a huge problem everywhere. What can we do? Is addiction sin or sickness? Do addicts need confrontation or compassion?
A familiar biblical statement is helpful here, namely, “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23). The abuse of good things is sin and the consequence of this abuse is addiction. The wages of sin is death and the consequence of abuse is addiction; sooner or later, more or less and, in the end, completely.
Man was created good but fell into sin and, thereby, death. He abused the good gifts of God (sin) and lost his enjoyment of them (death). The proof of this is that everyone does what they know is wrong and fails to do what they know is right; this is spiritual death. This behavior continues until we each die physically as well and then our bondage is permanent in the unbearable outer darkness. In our spiritual death in sin, we are helpless to change ourselves just as those who are physically dead can’t help themselves. We are helpless and hopeless. Only God in His love can conduct an intervention to save us from sin and death. Only God can forgive our sins and rescue us from death. Only God can give us righteousness and make us live.
It’s the same with an addict. He was created good, free to use things for the glory of God which includes his own enjoyment. But he abused things in sin and got into trouble that he could not get himself out of. The addict is physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually helpless and hopeless. Only God in His love can conduct an intervention to save the addict from sin and death, abuse and compulsion. Parents, counselors, agencies and others can do much to help the addict change, but there is a fundamental spiritual element that only God can provide. Jesus said that whoever sins is the slave of sin and that only He can truly set us free. He alone is “the higher power” that sets the addict free.
So then, is addiction sin or sickness? It is both and each aspect must be dealt with according to its nature. Substance abuse is sinful, self-destructive behavior (see Galatians 5:21; Exodus 20:13). We must urgently call the abuser to turn from his sin to God for forgiveness and help. Addiction is death and, while we must speak to the “dry bones” of the addict (see Ezekiel 37) begging him to change, most of all we must pray to God because only He can make the dead to live and the addict to be free. In all of this, we must go to Christ in His church for grace to repent of our own “bingeing” so that we will be able to help others with theirs.
The addict is spiritually dead in his compulsive abuse. He is helpless and hopeless. But nothing is impossible with God. Addiction is spiritual death but Christ puts addiction to death and sets the captive free in His newness of life. Jesus says, “everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin… if… the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:34,36). He also says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). Go to Christ in His church and find freedom and rest from your addictions.
Kit Swartz Pastor Emeritus RPC Oswego