The SERIOUS Problem of ADDICTION

Addiction is not spoken about that often because it’s simply something that affects most everybody, and we’re ashamed to admit that we’re addicted to something. In fact, it’s one of the devil’s favourite attacks on people. Why? Because once he’s got you addicted to something he’s got you totally distracted from God. The minute you have a moment when you could lift your heart to God, your mind drifts into your addiction.

The devil will use hurt and emotional wounds to get us addicted to something. Addiction is not only related to drugs, alcohol or cigarettes. A lot of people are addicted to TV shows, sex and porn, prescription drugs, video games, shopping, gambling, social media, even food and sports, etc.

You can know you’re addicted when you repeatedly participate in behavior that has negative/unhealthy consequences. It is a compulsive craving for a specific substance or behavior, and you find yourself stuck in a cycle of seeking a “reward/release” indulging in divergent pleasure, regardless of the outcome.

It’s sad enough that so many adults are addicted, but sadder yet is the fact that they let their kids get addicted to TV, computer games, selfies, etc., and they don’t recognize it or don’t want to confront it for fear of exposing theirs, and consequently the kids are trapped.

I know many people who have tried to cover the pain of a broken heart with some sort of deviance whether alcohol, drugs, or whatever. Their pain is temporarily alleviated, but then they become addicted. And one of the most painful emotional hurts is bitterness: unforgiveness turned to anger and rancor.

The devil will use any and all of these to cause you to fold in: sorrow, depression, grief, distress, envy, loneliness, fear, rage, shame and worthlessness. The reason I’m listing many of them is because these emotional hurts have to ALL be recognized as demons and/or attacks of the enemy. “A broken spirit, who can bare?” (Pro 18:21)

My favorite verse in this regard is Gal 2:20 “I’m crucified with Christ…” you can consider youself DEAD to your carnal EMOTIONS, therefore you can’t get hurt.

Caroline Leaf, who is a world-renowned neuroscientist, says that our brain simply cannot process toxic thoughts. The brain then secretes poison into our body which causes illness. This is the main reason why we are commanded to keep our mind on positive and praiseworthy things. (Phil 4:8)

A broken spirit simply cannot be healed through addiction. It only enhances the problem. Patching the holes in your wall with bandaids will not solve any problems. David said, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Ps.147:3) “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”  (Pro 17:22)

The writer of Hebrews gives a long list of different men of God who persevered in spite of the fact that they were broken, hurt, disappointed, or an outright failure. But they looked to God. Instead of folding, and sitting in their remorse, regret, and feeling like they could never be accepted or used by God again, they stood for God.

I’ve been meditating on Hebrews 11 and it starts with, “Now FAITH is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” It goes through a long list of people who endured a lot of hardship and hurt feelings and disappointment. I encourage you to read the whole chapter. It’s so intense.

“Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again:

The Spirit of God can heal you through the Word of God. Too many people have gone after emotional healing the wrong way. Yes, God can use other people, but ONLY if they point you to the Truth. Otherwise, they can become like Job’s counselors, trying to figure things out in the flesh. “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:7-8)

The best though, is to open yourself wide to the Holy Spirit. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) It is the Word that ministers life to your spirit. It is the Word of God that heals. “The Word(s) of God are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” (Pro 4:23)

As your emotional problems are healed, the need for any “crutches” will leave.“For God gave us a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” (2Tim 1:7)

I’ve added a few more verses here to help you heal from addiction.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking into Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith.” (Heb 12:1)

Mat 8:16-17

“That evening they brought to Him many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a Word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.'”

Isa 61:3

“To  grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

1Jn 1:9

“If  we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1Cor 6:19

“Or  do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, Whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Ps 34

“I will bless the Lord at ALL times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together! I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”

Jer 1:19

“They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”

Isa 53:5

“But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.”

Heb 13:6

“So  we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'”

Rom 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Mat 11:28-30

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Ps 1:1-3

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

Ps 107:20

“He sent out His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.”

Gal 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Pro 16:24

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

Isa 611-8

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”

Lk 4:18

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”

2 Cor 10:5

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion (lies in the mind) raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

Psalm 107:19-20

“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. He sent out His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.”