The Nature of Addiction

Our nature as children of God is a new creation, made for holiness, practicing pure love and experiencing fullness of life. The nature of addiction is destruction, depravity, deception, and death. The nature of addiction starts with the lies of sin manifesting itself as the norm of the world. This ultimately begins with our pride. It leads to us creating a mess of seeking, desiring, and lusting for what seems important with no consideration for the wisdom of God. As people, God has created us to naturally be worshipers. But in our sinful nature, instead of rightly worshipping the one true God, we choose to embrace the deception of sin and worship created things instead of the Creator. This leads many down the destructive path of addiction, worshipping false idols to fulfill our ungodly passions. But as Christians, we have the answer to combat these sinful lies!

Through Christ, we can forsake this false worship of sin and addiction. Ultimately, addiction is a worship issue. To combat addiction we must find our hope, joy, and purpose in Christ and him alone. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15). Only when the sweetest joys of this life pale in comparison to life in Christ will we be ready to overcome the nature of addiction. This is a lifelong endeavor that is all-encompassing. In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul says it this way: “Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ'' (2 Corinthians10:5b). But make no mistake, this battle is not an easy one. 

Among them  we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.”(Ephesians 2:3).

Addiction involves a strong desire or lust for a substance that one thinks is the answer to their needs. This substance brings on consequences, destruction and even death in which the pursuer continues despite the worst of consequences. The sinful lie of addiction invites loss of control of life, liberty and growth. The science of addiction shows a change in the brain as one continues feeding poison into their systems. This effect continues the stronghold of bondage hindering the ability to stop. Bottom line, the nature of sin and its core is created out of the disposition of self-realization. 

“The essential nature of sin is my claim to my right to myself.” (My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers, pg. 220)

We have a friend who was diagnosed with stage-4 lung cancer and yet this person cannot be motivated to cease smoking. You see, the nature of addiction morphs its present ontology within the person's essence waxing existence. The devastating end result is the nature of addiction. But with God there is hope to change our nature.

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…” (Ephesians 5:18) 

As Christians we don’t have to fight the lies of addiction alone. No, instead we have the Spirit of God filling us! Through the Holy Spirit, we have the saving power of Jesus at work in us. This power at work reminds us that we are sons and daughters of the Most High God. You do not have to fight this battle alone. In fact, Paul says in Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” As the hymn declares, “When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast. When the tempter would prevail, he will hold me fast.” (He Will Hold Me Fast, Matt Merker)

Friends, as we walk in his grace, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ will sustain us. There is much hope as we fight the battles against addiction because we have divine power at work in us! The nature of addiction is strong, but as Christians, the work of the Spirit in our lives is stronger!

John Carlson
Executive Director, Transformation to Recovery