Harmless Addiction?

The word addiction has a negative connotation that goes with it. When we think of addiction, we think smoking, gambling, drugs, and alcohol. We think of the "real bad" ones. But the reality is that we all have addictions, because addictions are obsessions. You are probably thinking of yours right now as you read this. Some of us may even be able to justify the reasons for what we do or use. Others of us may not even realize that we have an addiction. To more clearly define what an addiction is, I looked it up on Merriam Webster Online.

"to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively"

Its interesting to think about habits and obsessions. What is the difference? How do they work together? At what point does a habit become an obsession or vice versa? How is a habit different from idolatry? While the answers to most of the questions cannot be defined once and be applicable to everyone, here are some things to think about....

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 : For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

-What are we placing importance on that would keep us back from using every thought and action to serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

Mark 7:20-23: And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

- What do your actions say about what is important to you? The reality is that we can say we are Christians. We can say that we love Jesus. We can say that we love one another. But friends, actions speak louder than words. It's a proven fact that over 80% of communication between humans is non-verbal. Its through our actions and body language. How are our actions speaking for us? Are we LIVING what we speak with our mouths? I'm very guilty of not doing this myself. It is SO much easier said than done. But because our actions have so much more significance than our words, it is that much more important to try and make them match up for the greater good. We have all heard the phrase that anything worth having is worth having is worth fighting for. Friends, I challenge all of us to fight for what is good. We need to fight to take our thoughts and obsessions captive and turn them into goodness. We can change the connotation of addiction if we are addicted to JESUS. If we are addicted to His words and actions. If we are addicted to pouring over God's Word every day so we can learn how to live out actions that speak loudly for Christ.

Matthew 6:24: "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate one and love the other or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Obsessions can quickly turn into idolatry if we don't take them captive and turn them over to the Lord. Think about three things you constantly find yourself thinking about. Really, truly think about them. What is the nature of the thoughts? Are they positive or negative. Are they uplifting or destructive to yourself or others. Are they carefree or worrisome. Are your thoughts or obsessions based on truth; truth about yourself, God, and others.

James 4:4-10: You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”

If we just stop there it leaves us hopeless. We all, at some point or another have made friends with the enemy (whether in thoughts, actions or both). Thank GOD we aren't left high and dry right here. The verse continues on to say this....

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Once the Lord has allowed us to see how our obsessions and addictions are making friends with the enemy, he calls us to submit ourselves to Him and turn from the devil. Leave what is causing enmity with Him BEHIND US. Leave it in the dust. There is NOTHING on this earth that is more important that our relationship with God, and he will help us to overcome what is causing us to stumble if we just let him.

Sometimes we allow things to slip in under the radar that seem harmless at first, but slowly and surely they will begin to shape our thoughts and ultimately our actions. If we choose to believe the lies that the world tells we will build our lives on the sand and it WILL ALWAYS be washed away. Why waste our mist-like time on building a sand castle when we can use it to build a better house. A magnificent house on the ROCK. A house that will not wash away with the tests of time. A house that will be a safe place for others to come for help and healing. If we can be easily washed away, we will constantly be trying to hold ourselves together rather than seeking to help others build their houses out of rocks.

Just to clarify... I am not saying that all thoughts/obsessions/addictions are bad. I'm not saying to beat yourself up over anything or to be legalistic about it. It's simply something that God has put on my heart and I felt like I should share it with you. Not only share, but call you to action to examine your own obsessions privately so we can all sharpen each other and help one another build our houses sturdily out of rocks and not sand. After all, we want to use our lives to the best of our ability right? Nail your convictions to the cross, friends. Then leave it there and walk away. Don't turn back and ask God for the strength to not fall back into old patterns. WE can do it. I know we can with His help.

I'd love to hear your opinion on addictions, obsessions, and thoughts...