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The word addiction has a bad connotation.

Most addictions have very negative side effects on the addicted one and those around them. Why in America—probably the most prosperous nation on earth—do so many people struggle with addictions? History may lend us the answer … Biblical history that is. Some people will be rolling their eyes about now, thinking, “Oh great, another religious lecture.” But I think we can keep this on a logical level.

The toys, vehicles, phones, and medicines we all use today have a creator; would you agree? Personally, I carry a Samsung J7 phone. In fact, I am typing this using my phone! Now, if I were to tell you that my phone has slowly evolved over millions of years, would you believe me? I hope not, because Samsung spent millions of dollars and hired intelligent people that worked long and hard to develop this phone.

If you expect me to believe that we, as humans, and our whole known universe, have slowly developed over millions of years into what we see now … well, I just don’t have that much faith. It seems much more logical that we were created by something greater than us, and it wasn’t Samsung!

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

Back to the original subject of ADDICTIONS and why are they such powerful driving forces in human lives. Is there such a thing as a good addiction? Yes, I believe there is! (We are going deep, so take a big breath and stay with me. Please don’t throw this down!)

Genesis 1:26-27 says “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” Could it be that if we as human beings were created in the image of God, then just maybe we were meant to have a close relationship with God?

The problem is most people don’t think about having a relationship with their Creator, and don’t know where to start. But at the same time, many people do have a very close and personal relationship with gambling, pornography, narcotics, alcohol, painkillers, gaming, and the list goes on. Many cannot get through one day without involving one or more of these vices. 

John 1:12 tells us, “But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” If we receive Jesus and His teaching by faith, then we become God’s children, as this passage in John says. When we become God’s children, we are born again (see John 3:5-7). Then, as God’s children, we can be complete in Him. Colossians 2:10 says “And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power.” 

What in the world does this have to do with addiction?

Do drugs fix our problems? Does pornography make us complete and meet our needs? Does gambling give us contentment and make us complete? Is covetousness the answer (always needing more money or new & better things)? Does getting drunk make us what we were created to be? Will spending all our extra time gaming make our life complete and fulfilled? The answer is NO (Proverbs 27:20). Only God can do that. He has a right to be the answer to our problems, since He created us. And He created us to glorify Him. God did not create our sin, but He gives us a choice to choose Him or to choose self, which is sin, and to live a life of rebellion in contrast to what we were created for.

Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We are naturally born with this desire to gratify self only. But that can be changed. If you are ready to trade a life of sin and problems for a life of peace and contentment, then place everything in God’s hands (even your fears) and ask Him to save you from yourself and a life of sin. That is receiving Jesus and thus becoming one of God’s Children! Will it fix all your problems? Probably not, but it WILL give you the power to resist temptations that arise in this sinful world around us! Read God’s word, the Bible, and find out why God created you in His image! Find a church or others who have been born again and know God’s word. They can teach you! Let your walk with God become your addiction—you won’t regret it!

If you are a Christian and know God personally, but still struggle with bad habits, Colossians 2:10 is still the answer: “Ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power.” If you are struggling with something that is hurting you or those around you, or is illegal, by all means call out to God and seek help! There are many programs designed to help people with problems. No one will look down on you if you admit you have a problem and are seeking help!

God’s word says “But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).

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