What is everyone saying about addiction?

Addiction is a strong word thrown around to get a meaning passed. In actuality, addiction is an obsessive behavior pattern that signifies that one can’t control their usage or practice. Addiction is not a curse word, just a qualification for wrong or excessive use which is mainly harmful.

Some think addictions are relatable to drug and substance use but there are habits that are highly addictive and overlooked. It is a mental and cognitive issue.

How The Bible Views Addiction

Slavery to sin: Scripture says in Romans 6:16 that you are a slave to whatever controls you. A person becomes entirely submissive to that which controls them.

Idolatry : When a worship disorder happens, its a temporary pleasure that replaces God as the main focus.

Loss of self control: Passages warn against letting habits or substances rob you of your clear judgment and self-discipline.

Types of Addictions 

Substance addiction:

This is the wrong and abusive use of drugs, medication and substance. These substances are commonly called hard drugs like methane, cocaine, tramadol, cannabis, sleeping pills and so on.

In recent times, it is socially known to the public that these hard substances are used to maintain a high that makes it fun to hangout or engage. The damage recorded in the past was minimal, however the effect is lasting.

In a society where the most popular things are not helpful, the need to exercise independence and vigor push many to make the wrong decisions on the matter of substance abuse. 

Nonsubstance addiction:

Some actions that became habits now turned addictions started one day. It became pleasurable and eventually addictive that one involved has no idea how damaging it is. Sexual masturbation is a good example, pornography is another example gambling, gluttony. These actions are mind and body connected that the devil has twisted the end results to be pleasurable hence, pushing the victims to go deeper in search for a higher dose that keeps them awake and night and productive in the day. These are sins of the body. They kill the spirituality of one and make them vulnerable to forces of darkness that need a body to host their reprobate acts.

1 Cor 6:18 says; flee from sexual immorality, every other sin that a man sins is outside his body but he that sins sexually sins against his own body.

The Seven Deadly Sins

According to the Christian tradition mentioned by the Seven Deadly Sins – Wikipedia and Britannica, the seven deadly sins are:

• Greed
• Lust
• Pride
• Envy
• Pride
• Slothfulness
• Gluttony

These sins listed above are vices of addiction. Daniel 4:32 shows us how pride made the King of Babylon so addictive to power that he was finally cast out and made to be a beast in the forest for years. 

Lust is another feeler of addiction. It attracts sexual sin faster than another thing in the guise of affection or love. John 3:16, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son , that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting Life. 

Lust is addictive, Love is sacrificial and lets go. It doesn’t hold on tightly.

Envy can be a result of addiction itself, and vice versa. The inability to learn how to control one’s desires and wants within your means can lead to envy, addiction and finally a downfall.

Symptoms of Addiction

The symptoms vary from person to person. Here are some common ones;

• Withdrawal from social gatherings some times: This is as a result of the pleasure gained from whatever one is addicted to. The need to be alone to carry on those pleasures can be great so they tend to be alone most times. Alone at home, in the restroom and so on. Social gatherings now become a hassle because they don’t have the opportunity to engage in these addictive habits. 
• Hesitation to be in the presence of God: Whether church or prayer meetings, they abstain from these meetings because of the guilt eating them on the inside, making them feel unworthy of God’s love or mercy. These addictions make them believe that they don’t deserve to be loved by God like everyone else.
• Anger: The uncontrollable loss of temper is a factor to be looked into. It comes from a pace of insatiable hunger, the want and need for more even when they know it’s no one’s fault. Addiction messes with the mind and attracts the blame game as though the world owes them a favor.
• Health issues: Due to the high that comes off from the pleasure of the substance used or habits formed, the health starts to fail from overdose,over use and over abuse. Mental and body health loses vigor.

What Does Addiction Do to you as a Christian

• It kills your prayer life
• It exposes you to the kingdom of darkness
• It kills your love and passion for God
• It puts you in a position of compromise
• It steals your joy and replaces it with sorrows
• It takes the breath of life away from your spirit
• It weakens your spirituality
• It hinders growth
• It put hindrances on the way of a growing Christian
• It pulls the life of God away from you
• It keeps you away from the promise of the spirit through Jesus Christ – Gal 3;13-14
• It blocks your face from God and hides you in shame.
• It hinders the blessing of God from flowing to you
• It marks you for evil and reproach

How To Overcome addiction

• Acknowledge the addiction
• Seek Help
• Study the Word of God
• Run to God
• Run to the Church
• Meet your pastor or spiritual head
• Talk to family
• Be intentional about your habits
• Cut of what seems to be negatively growing on you
• If you tend to fall into temptation alone, be around trusted people
• Go for therapy
• Go for rehabilitation
• Hold onto God tightly

Conclusion

Addictions have no power over you. 1 John 4: 4 says ye are of God little children and have overcome the world because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the World. Tap into the word of God for your life and feed your mind daily. You will overcome.

FAQs

Can one be saved totally from addiction?

Yes, one can. Believe you can and work towards it.

I have tried rehabilitation, it didtn’t work. what do I do?

Check your mindset, work on new habits and add the word of God. It brings to life and redirects.

Will my Family help me if they find out I masturbate?

Yes, Family is always the Number Go-to. They know you personally and can help you.