By Glen Bowman, Minister at 3rd & Kilgore Church of Christ
Do you suffer from addiction? Most people would probably answer “no” without hesitation. But what is addiction? It’s a physical or mental dependency on something, and you’re unable to stop without having adverse effects. In my experience, you might not realize that you’re addicted to something until you try to stop! Do you drink coffee? Stop for a week and see what happens! How do you spend your time on a regular basis? Would you stop doing some regular habits to discover if you’re hooked on them?
There are LOTS of things that people can be addicted to beyond drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. People can be addicted to gambling, pornography, caffeine, tattoos, music, collecting things, fast food, any food, shopping, clothes, shoes, exercise, lying, affection, family, social media, the Internet, cell phones, taking selfies, video games, TV, lip balm, eye drops, chewing ice, etc. Get the picture? Just because it’s not a drug doesn’t mean that our dependency is not affecting us, because we shouldn’t let the things of this world have power over us (1 Corinthians 6:12).
The Bible says plainly that our desire for the things of this worldis not from God (1 John 2:16). We’re warned about our passions towards these things, which 1 Peter 2:11 says “wage war against your soul.” Why do we really want this or that? What do we hope that it will bring us? Romans 13:14 says to “make NO provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” This may seem hard, but of course there’s hope! Galatians 5:16 says that if we “walk by the Spirit…you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Fill our lives with godly things and we won’t need the TV to unwind, or whatever else may be a crutch for us.
This may seem difficult, but “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Clearly, watching TV is not inherently sinful, but the prioritizing of it can be. If we watch the Olympics, Super Bowl, or anything else at the expense ofhelping our family or doing God’s will, is it healthy for us spiritually? I’ve made deals with my 3-year-old about watching some Olympics for giving him more undivided attention later, because I know that he’s far more important!
So why even do these habits anyway? There are obviously positive reasons for things like shopping, eating certain foods, and using social media. However, none of us are probably perfect at knowing when we cross the line from mere enjoyment to dependency. If we have a default thing to “go to” for comfort that’s not God, prayer, or the Bible, then that may be something that we need to examine. I realized recently that often I talk to my wife about my problems before I’ve even taken them to God. Is that what God wants? It’d be better to lean on Him than complain or whatever else that I’m seeking from that habit!
Fortunately, Jesus has “in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15b, 16). Let’s talk to Him about everything in our lives. Let’s make Him the one that we ask about how to spend our time, if we should lessen or discontinue any habit, and to help us overcome every addiction!
