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Addictions of all types are very serious problems. Alcoholism is the most widespread
addiction in our society. According to Taking Control (1988) by Minirth, Meier, Fink, Byrd,
and Hawkins, 70 percent of our society drinksthe largest percent everand consumes
an average of 30 gallons of alcohol each year. Ten percent are heavy drinkers and seven
percent are problem drinkers or alcoholics. Alcoholism is the third leading cause of death
in America and is responsible for 50 percent of highway deaths. It is also a major factor
in suicide. In the church, 81 percent of Catholics and 64 percent of Protestants drink at
least socially.
In 1st Corinthians Chapter 6, we find a list of addictions that can separate us from the
kingdom of God. As with most of present tense Greek in the New Testament, I believe
that these verses should be interpreted as continuous action. As an example, it is not
getting drunk once that keeps a person from inheriting the kingdom of God, but
continually being drunk over a period of time. This is substantiated by the verses that
follow this list. As we will see in the story of Samson's life, either our faith will destroy
our addictive behavior, or our addiction will destroy our faith. The good new is that, even
though the power of an addiction can be great, each and every addictionincluding
homosexualitycan be and has been overcome through a deep faith-filled relationship
with Christ. Paul, however, strongly advises that we should do everything possible to
steer clear of these behaviors so that we will not be brought under their power.
1 Cor 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not
deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers
of themselves with mankind, 10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye
are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and
by the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not
expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of
any. 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and
them. Now the body [is] not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
As I have already discussed, Gibeon was a Hivite city. Hivite means life-giving and
stands for those desires and lusts that we see as assisting the quality of our lives and
meeting our deepest needs. While the verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual abuser
tries to get his needs met at the expense of others, the addict attempts to get his needs
met by killing his emotional pain through some form of activity or drug. Because the
addict seldom quits his addictive behavior even when it is severely damaging to his life,
he is actually abusing himself. Today, addictions are categorized either as substance
addictions, like drugs and alcohol, or process addictions, like sex, eating, gambling, or
workaholism.
In Joshua Chapter 9, the Hivites of Gibeon were subtle in their dealings with the
Israelites. They convinced the Israelites that they were to be trusted as friends. In the
same way, the Hivite giants of today present themselves as our friends. It is only later
that we learn the dangers involved in inviting them into our lives. Some counselors
believe that sexual addiction can be one of the most difficult to treat. It many times has
all the traits of a drug addiction because the pornography, fantasy, and masturbation
trigger endorphins and adrenaline in the body.
Although the most comprehensive information concerning addictions in the Bible is found
in the story of Samson's life, a number of other addictions are mentioned in the Bible.
Nabal possibly died of an alcoholic seizure. King Saul was addicted to rage and domestic
violence. Solomon was addicted to work, sex, and possibly alcohol. Eglon and Eli were
most likely addicted to food, and Lot struggled with homosexuality. In addition, the Bible
deals with drug addictions under the more inclusive name of sorcery.
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyedwork out your own
salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and
to do of [his] good pleasure.
Ro 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of
sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is
freed from sin. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but
alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Our part is to believe and reckon it so. The Greek word translated as
reckon, logizomai, in this verse means to count, compute, or calculate that something is
true. The fact that we can now choose not to fall to temptation must become a reality.
In 1st Corinthians Chapter 10, the Bible states:
1 Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God
[is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with
the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].
Ro 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law,
but under grace. 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and
by it slew [me]. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but
what I hate, that do I. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good
thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I (in my strength) would I do not: but the evil which I (in my
strength) would not, that I do.
4. He must also trust God to make him willing to quit relying on his addiction.
My experience is that willingness is a critical factor in overcoming addictions. The good
news is that God also provides us an answer based on His ability, not ours. It is our job
to choose and to obey, but He also provides the resources to do both. We find this most
clearly stated in the book of Philippians.
If an addict is struggling with willingness, I instruct Him to again call on God, admit his
inability to even be willing, and to trust God to make him willing. I sometimes suggest
that they pray, God, I am willing for you to make me willing to be willing (as many to be
willings as needed to be truthful) to do your will.
5. He must learn to consistently walk according to the Spirit. In assisting
addicts, I have found that even willingness and faith are not enough. Even after a victory
over an addiction has been gained, the devil will begin eroding the recovering addicts
willingness and finally cause a relapse if the client does not continue to walk according to
the Spirit. This is not surprising since spirits operate primarily through influencing a
persons will. If a person walks according to or is under the influence of the Spirit of God,
he will consistently want and choose to do Gods will. We find this answer in Romans
Chapter 8.
Ro 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God
sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the
flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of
the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally
minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. 13 For if ye live after
the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye
shall live.
In summary, the final answer for addictions is faith in Christ, reliance on Him to do the
work, and a transformation through the Spirit as we walk with Him and become like Him.
Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed
to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he
also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 37 Nay, in all these things
we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Steps for Overcoming Addictions (from the book Transformation)