Addiction

Look upon my suffering and deliver me (Psalm 119:153).

"I can stop whenever I want." How many times have you heard these words? Alcoholics say them. Smokers say them. A woman having an affair tells herself that she can break it off whenever she wants; a man who loves gambling feels the same way about his betting. But dieters are rarely successful at losing weight on their own; smokers need nicotine patches and alcoholics need support groups. And even with professional help, a great many people eventually relapse into the behaviors they fought so hard to escape.

We are all addicts—each of us is addicted to sin. Some love spending money, even when it results in massive debt. Some love to gossip. Some love being the center of attention, and will do anything to make that happen. Some love sex so much that they can’t wait for marriage to get it. Some love to feel powerful by pushing others around or ignoring the rules.

All such behavior is unhealthy and destructive. Addictive behavior makes us willing to hurt others, if necessary, in order to feel good. This is the essence of sin. God tells us to love Him and respect Him, and to love each other as equals. But sin demands first place for us and what we want; God and everyone else had better be willing to take a back seat when we’re in the mood to have a good time.

If you think that you can stop your addictive behavior anytime you want, you’re kidding yourself. Sin is more addictive than alcohol, nicotine or heroin. And sin does greater harm—it doesn’t just destroy your liver, fill your lungs with cancer, or fry your nervous system—sin kills you and locks you in hell with Satan for a cell mate! Sin is much more than a monkey on your back; it is an 800 pound gorilla that refuses to let go.

But there is an effective treatment option. Jesus offers to be your buddy in the face of temptation. You can call Him any time by praying for help; His words of encouragement come to you through the Bible. And He is the medication that can reduce your cravings; you are always welcome to join your fellow addicts in church, where Jesus distributes His body and blood through Holy Communion. If you let Jesus treat you, you can survive your addiction to sin and be freed of it forever in heaven.