As we proceed, we will understand better.
Like I said, the class is interactive. So first, we will all define Addiction according to our own knowledge of it.
I'm sure this is not the first time you are hearing the word Addiction.
Without using the dictionary, what is addiction to you? What comes to mind when you say/hear someone is addicted?
Ally - When I hear of an addiction, I think of something someone is dependent on. N can't do without, to the point of sometimes feeling physical hurt without that thing
Addiction is basically an enthusiastical devotion/dependence on a particular thing.
A habit we've come to a place of total dependence on
A habit that is out of our control
A habit that has now become master over us
As I put down these thoughts, one thing my kept screaming was BONDAGE
Addiction is Bondage
What do you think people can be addicted to?
Seun - Material to abstract things. A smell, an habit, a place, a person, a behavior, a meal, an event etc
Motunrayo - Themselves, a social media app
We can be addicted to literally anything.
Here is a list of some of the things we can be addicted to:
Admiration/Compliments, Excessive eating, Anger, being noticed, talking to much, not listening, sex, coffee, smoking, alcohol, drugs (illicit use), envy, exercise, fantasies, gossip, social media, lying, cursing, pornography, masturbation, stealing, self pity, power, sleep, sleeping pills, status, sports, work, TV, Netflix, gambling, impulse shopping, correcting others, criticism, finding faults etc.
Some of us are even addicted to our partners, our own company.
The list is endless.
There are some people that no matter how good they dress, if someone else hasn't complimented them they don't see themselves as beautiful. This is addiction, to admiration and compliments and it leads to low self esteem
When many of us think of addiction, it's the worst things that come to mind first. If pastor decides to preach on addiction, we quickly start to think Sex, fornication, pornography, masturbation, stealing etc
But if we check this list, we will see some of the things we counted under addiction are actually good things, things that are recommended and profitable
Exercise is good. Netflix is a perfect relaxation platform, sleeping is good for the body etc
This is because some times the action is not the problem but our addiction to it or dependence.
The control that action/activity has over us based on the level of devotion we've given to it
This is where the problem is
On devotion...
One thing the bible asks that we completely devote ourselves to is prayer and the ministry of the word.
Now, does this mean it is bad to devote to work or exercise? No! The kind of devotion we talk about is the type that gains control over us. Most of the things that we find harmless are usually the best things until they become the worst things.
It starts slowly and creeps in. Once read that the word Addiction is from the Latin word Addictus which means to surrender to the gods
The Latin word Addictus is also used to describe a debt slave, one who is bound to another
“I am allowed to do anything,” you say. My answer to this is that not all things are good. Even if it is true that “I am allowed to do anything,” I will not let anything control me like a slave.
1 Corinthians 6:12 ERV
Nothing should gain control over us. Nothing. Nothing should gain control over us. Nothing
Now, I want us to go back to the list we shared (and contributions from others), do you find anything you are addicted to? Yes or No?
Or is there something you think you are addicted to that we missed
As we all find the things we are addicted to, I want us to know that as harmless as they sound, we are in bondage to those things
So change I'm addicted to fanta to I'm a slave to fanta or Fanta has me in bondage
When people say I'm addicted to fanta to anything, it sounds innocent and normal. But when you switch it to its real meaning, we see the dangers in addiction. Over the years, the world has tried to water down addictions.
You are struggling with impulsive buying but we've given it a fancy name: OCD
No! Stop calling it obsessive compulsive disorder. You have a spending problem. Indiscipline actually. And people addicted to such usually remain poor. The fancy names do not take away the implications.
And here is the thing with addictions, they begin with a choice, a behavior you are fine with at first
Then they get out of hand/excessive. They are suddenly out of your control. You can't seem to stop them. You gave that power to them
You didn't just become addicted to pornography or masturbation.
No!
From let me just peep and see what they are doing small. I will pray for forgiveness. Till your data finishes that day
You try o and wait till another 2 weeks before you go again. Before you know it, daily visitor to porn sites. Before you know it, if you've not taken alcohol you are not sharp. Before you know it, gossip has become a habit
Everything is allowed!
Another thing with addiction: - Addiction is idolatry
Anything we've come to admire, want, trust/rely on, depend on or devote ourselves to excessively is idolatry. It is not until we carry Figurine with stone to our backyard and start Pouring palm oil on it that we are practising idolatry
Addiction is a scheme of the devil.
We already defined it as bondage and we all know there is only one person with an agenda of bondage. He wants us trapped, at the mercy of something other than God. And we don't just get trapped. Addiction has a process like I explained earlier.
Starts with:
Oh! I like the taste of Fanta
To
I want Fanta today
Before you know it..
I've been trying to do xyz all day but to no avail. I think I need to take a bottle of fanta
The final stage is that of craving, now without reason
I'm craving cigarettes
I'm craving attention
I'm craving sleep (though I just slept all through the day?
They become Lust of the flesh
Now, most addicted people know they are addicted (especially for those of us that are addicted to the things we see as bad). But even this knowledge doesn't save us
We've become helpless
We just continue in it, wanting to stop but not knowing how to
Feeling guilty when we do it but still do it. Till we get to a place where there is no guilt. Our conscience is turned off to it
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
James 1:14-15 NKJV
Our addictions are products of our desires! Our desires are fueled by different things. From peer pressure, depression, youthful exuberance, pain/hurt, self deception, indulgence of the flesh etc
It is important that we know what we are addicted to and what is fueling it, in order to be able to overcome addiction. Find out the What and why. If it is depression that has led you to drinking, your problem is not really drinking but what is making you depressed.
If it is hurt/pain that made you start sleeping around till you got addicted to sex, it is important we go back to why you were hurt and you heal from that hurt before we come to you sleeping around
Now, how do we deal with addiction?
We should know this, God is aware of everything that you do. He knows everything you are struggling with. He sees all you do in secret even when you pretend to be something else outside. God sees and knows it all
And even in all of these, God loves you
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NKJV
Do not let any form of addiction stop you from coming to God
You don't have to "clean up". God doesn't see you as dirty regardless of the dirty things you do
It is important that we know this in order to overcome that addiction.
God is not refusing to answer your prayers because you smoke.
God loves you even in this state, and it is out of this love that He has extended help to remove you from this state. Now that you know God's position on this, let's move to solution
Note that some of the solutions do not apply to all types of addictions.
1. Be filled
Emptiness is a tool for the enemy.
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:18-20 NKJV
How are we filled? We see it in the scripture above. The word of God, singing and making melody in our hearts to God always, a constant mood of thanksgiving and focus on the things of the spirit.
Our spirit is quickened in this manner. We should engage our mind positively with the things of the spirit.
I noticed some thing in 2018. Anytime I stop praying as I used to, I begin to feel lonely. I start thinking of how I'm single and need a man in my life. Spiritual idleness is a big gateway for so many things. It opens doors
We must occupy our minds with the things of the spirit. Since addictions are formed by unhealthy devotion to certain things, start by devoting to God. One cannot have 2 masters.
Before you know it the smaller master will bow and leave.
2. Be open and confront the problem
Sin thrives in secrecy. Do not lie about what you are going through. And when I say be open, don't go and tell someone that sees nothing wrong with your addiction. They will edge you on.
Speak with a believer. They will build you up in faith and pray for you.
You have a safe haven to talk about it and face that thing directly
Also for us believers, let's be support systems to others. If anyone is struggling, do not condemn rather help them out of it.
3. Renew your hope in God.
For so many people, they have tried and tried to stop. They have prayed too, nothing worked.
So hope is lost. Every preaching goes to waste
No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.
Psalms 25:3 NIV
Don't be hopeless about the situation. You can stop. Believe it.
4 Pray to God and allow Him help you
This seems cliche but I tell you it works. God actually wants to help you. So speak with Him about it, tell Him about your problem and progress. If you love to write, you can get a journal and write to God about this addiction and how you are getting out of it.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
God has provided a way out for so many. He will do same for you too
You cannot be disciplined to stop on your own. Allow God help you
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