Any Addiction can be Sinful

 

 Introduction

When you hear or see the word, ‘addiction’, your mind immediately goes to substance abuse like: tobacco, alcohol, or drugs; or other devices like: gambling, pornography, or sexual intercourse. But anything in a person’s life, even if legal, can be an addiction and thus lead a person down the path to sin.

Nowadays, it’s chocolate, caffeine, video games, social media, and anything associated with the internet. Most seem harmless, but when you become obsessed with it, it’s an addiction.

 

Definitions

Habit: a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior

Addiction: a strong inclination to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly.

Obsession: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling.

For example, if you drink coffee in the morning every day because you enjoy it, and it gets you going, that’s a habit. If you drink coffee every morning because you know you can’t function without it, that’s an addiction. If you can’t go through the day without a cup of coffee in your hand, at all times, that’s an obsession.

In Romans 6:16-17 and 22 the apostle Paul wrote, Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 22. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

Addiction is slavery to something as you become obsessed with it. If you go some days without it, you could suffer withdrawal which may cause you to act erratically towards other people or events going on around you.

My Addiction

The purpose of this article is to share a recent addiction of mine. In December of 2020, I began doing these virtual tours online. The opportunity to see the entire planet without leaving my home was a great idea! They were a live stream event in which you saw the tour guide at that very moment, in their area, and saw what they saw as they showed you around the site.

As more countries and cities became available, the more tours I did. Initially, I only did tours on my days off; Sunday and Monday (though I never skipped worship service or bible study on Sundays). But, then, I started doing tours during my lunch hour at work, then after work in the afternoons and early evenings.

By September of 2021, it had become an addiction, but I didn’t realize it until later. Every morning, on my days off, I would get up and mentally calculate how many hours until my first tour. I had scheduled my life around these tours instead of the other way around!

The problem was, I couldn’t stop. I know that the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. As far as I was concerned, it was just a fun hobby that kept me informed, entertained, and away from other harmful devices of the devil (2 Cor. 2:11)

 

Beating the addiction

For months, I kept telling myself I was going to do less tours and tried to cancel ones that I already had. But, later, I ended up scheduling other tours in its place when something new came along.

I knew I was never going to completely walk away from the site but I didn’t know what I was going to do. The solution was made for me. I had gotten into some trouble with an individual that was connected to the site and, long story short, they had me banned from the site; never to tour again!

I suffered many sleepless nights because of the events that took place in November. But, when it was all over and done with, I suddenly realized that a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders. My mind was no longer focused on what time the next tour was, where would I visit this coming week, etc.

Naturally, I could have created a new account under a different name with a different e-mail address but I saw that as deceit. Plus, it wouldn’t have felt right for me to pretend to be someone I wasn’t. I took this as an opportunity to be completely free! And I was free! I’ve been sleeping better, eating better, and my desire to do other things has come back.

 

The Decision is Yours!

Obviously, not all addictions are going to be defeated in this way; nor will they all be this simple. But you have to make the decision to not do the sinful acts that are in your life.

Jesus said in John 8:34, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” As stated above, by Paul, you are a slave to sin which is where the addiction comes in. But you must choose between continuing in your addiction or swearing loyalty to God. You can’t do both. Jesus says in Matthew 16:26, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” And again, in Matthew 6:24, Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Conclusion

Again, looking at what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. You can beat any addiction, if you set your mind to it. One of the first steps is to admit you have a problem then seek help.

“You can unlock a man’s whole life if you watch what words he uses most.” ~Henry Drummond. What a person most talks about in their life is what’s controlling their life. Allow the word of God to be the center of your life.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about what’s going on in your life; share them in the comments section below. You don’t have to fight alone!