Most of what we can derive about the true nature of addiction we owe to the unique theological insights of the Bible. Were it not for the Bible, we would not comprehend the corrupting nature of sin and its controlling power. Were it not for the Bible, we couldn't determine whether to think about substance addictions differently from process addictions. Were it not for the Bible, we wouldn't discover how to experience freedom from addiction. Were it not for the Bible, we wouldn’t realize how important the “thought life” is for the believer. Were it not for the Bible, we wouldn’t understand that how we occupy our time directly impacts our sanctification. In fact, were in not for the Bible, not only would we not realize the ways to be like Christ, we wouldn’t even know that sanctification was operative in our lives, holding forth our hope of life transformation. And finally, were it not for the Bible, the path to true and lasting purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in temporal life would remain undiscovered.

Perhaps nowhere in Scripture is God's will for us more clearly stated than in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, which says, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification" (see also Rom. 8:29) . Sanctification means holiness and holiness means Christlikeness. It should be obvious that we are well served by occupying ourselves in consonance with God's will for us. It is nothing beyond simple wisdom and reasonable logic that to place ourselves in harmony with God's overarching purpose for us is to experience outcomes that correspond to God's infinite resources.

Most people who struggle with addiction engage in a struggle of abstention. All their effort is put into not indulging. Abstention is the wrong goal. Christlikeness is the right goal because it represents placing ourselves in alignment with God's paramount will for our lives.

There are only three ways to be like Christ: thought, word and deed. Many have mastered thoughts and words through Bible study, prayer and worship. The area in which we lack is in the performing of good deeds. Please don't misunderstand what I am saying here. Spiritual disciplines like Bible study and prayer are essential to spiritual formation. But failure to obey God in the command to serve precludes the possibility of sanctification being fully accomplished in us. Therefore, this ministry begins with a fundamental thesis: The more like Christ we are, the more power over temptation and sin we have. It's that simple.

Also, I am not endorsing a covenant of works theology, that is, a belief that we can do something that contributes to our salvation and its application in our lives. God alone is the Sanctifier. However, I am saying that the Bible clearly calls for living a Christian life characterized by goods deeds (Eph. 2:10, Titus 2:14, Gal. 5:13, John 15:16, 1 Pet. 2:16). Since deeds are an essential component of sanctification, serving God contributes directly to remaining free from addiction.

Addiction Defined

It is vital to define addiction at the outset. If we do not have a definition, how else are we to deal with it, specifically under the scrutiny of biblical revelation, and more particularly within the theology encapsulated in the Pauline corpus? As the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland said, “If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there”. This is especially important because Christians are more familiar with the secular worldview of addiction and recovery espoused by the “Recovery Industry”[1] than they are with the biblical treatment of it.

Addiction is a spiritual stronghold within which sin predominates. It is spiritual because of sin. It is a stronghold because it controls prepotently. And to the extent one ritualizes a process or the use of a substance, it is idolatry[2]. Strongholds are false reasonings, faulty logic, unsupported claims, pretensions, theories, concepts, arguments, opinions, superstitions, philosophies, elementary principles, belief systems, or any other dogmas that contradict the truth about God, and result in habitual behavior governed by such beliefs (2 Cor. 10:5; Gal. 4:3, 9; Col. 2:8, 20, 23; 1 Tim 6:20). In other words, strongholds are believing lies that control us. Since addiction is a spiritual stronghold, and because the locus of a stronghold is in the mind, and considering that the spiritual battle is a battle for the mind, the thought life of a believer is of paramount importance in defeating addictions.

The 12-step model and the disease concept of addiction and recovery are antithetical to the biblical provisions for addiction. Furthermore, there exists no conclusive scientific evidence that addiction is a disease (see The Truth About Addiction for a thorough exposition on the myth of addiction as disease). Additionally, not a single authoritative researcher accepts the classic disease concept; it is a discredited theory. Science will never find a cure for addiction because their premise is erroneous. Addiction is not a physical disease. It is a spiritual stronghold that stems from habitual sin.

Using drugs is what the Bible calls a "deed of the flesh" (Gal. 5:19-21). The word pharmakeia (normally translated either sorcery or witchcraft) is included with such sins as drunkenness, sensuality, carousing, and impurity. As deeds of the flesh, it follows that substance addictions should be dealt with in the same manner as any other deed of the flesh, with attention given to the special aspect of spiritual captivity that results from habitual sin.

For the Christian, addiction is not bondage. The Bible teaches that believers have been freed from the controlling power of sin (Rom. 6:7, 18, 22). We are no longer slaves to sin, it is no longer our master, it no longer rules over us, and we no longer have to obey its desires (Rom. 6:6, 12, 14, 18).

According to Bible, we are not powerless, for we have been given a spirit of power (2 Tim. 1:7), we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13), and God’s divine power has given us everything we need for living a godly life (2 Peter 1:3). Furthermore, no Christian who has ever been caught in addiction is an addict for life, for the Bible says we are new creations (2 Cor. 5:17), God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10), and complete in Christ (Col. 2:10).

God has not overlooked addiction, and the biblical provisions are sufficient for both breaking free and remaining free!

Are The Biblical Provisions for Addiction appropriate for process addictions, like pornography and gambling, as opposed to substance addictions? The answer is yes. The underlying existing problem (not cause) is in the spiritual captivity of the stronghold, not in the addiction itself (emotional and physiological consequences notwithstanding). The process of breaking a spiritual stronghold is the same whether it exists in a substance addiction or a process addiction.

So then, what precisely does the Bible prescribe for those caught is the spiritual stronghold of addiction? For a summary of how The Biblical Provisions for Addiction are incorporated into the curriculum, see Curriculum.

Footnotes

[1] William L. Playfair, M.D., does indeed play fair, in my opinion, in his use of the term, “Recovery Industry” in his book, The Useful Lie, Crossway Books, 1991, which I commend to you.

[2] For a complete discussion of addiction as idolatry, see Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave: Finding Hope in the Power of the Gospel, by Edward T. Welch, P & R Publishing, Phillipsburg, 2001.