THE ADDICTED LIFE
An addicted life can be of a harmful nature but the only time it is mentioned in God's Word is on the positive side. Addiction is generally regarded as a compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance. God's Word exposes the nature of a controlling substance and its harmful influence in saying: Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes; they that linger long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Your eyes shall behold strange things, and your heart shall utter perverse things. When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again (Proverbs 23). A Controlling Influence in Your LifePrior to salvation, one may have had addiction to other controlling influences in their life, but the God of creation, the God of the universe, the "Now" God of your life, brought you out. The Psalmist David summed it up in saying: He brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to my God (Psalm 40:2-3).Addictions come not only in an unsaved condition, but can filter into one's life, even in a saved condition, if one is not watchful, and vigilant in their walk. There is a deceiver, the enemy of one's soul, who is out there to steal, kill, and destroy, to take away the testimony of one's life in Christ. Scripture tells one to be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). An Addictive SpiritWe live in a world that offers allurements towards withdrawing from a sanctified (or separated) life in Christ, to hamper one's walk in the Lord. There is an addictive spirit that attempts to lure one into its clutches to dwarf one's ability to serve God. There is an acceptance in the world today that allows ungodly venues to exist with attempts being made to lure others into acceptance and to ward off the influence of God's Word.The apostle Paul told Timothy that in the last days perilous times shall come (2 Timothy 3:1). We are living in those days and it would do well for one to check out where their influence is coming from. There are addictions out there that would influence one that are not as obvious as alcoholism, and habit forming drugs, that would creep in unawares. Paul told Timothy that evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13). A Once God-fearing NationWe are seeing a trend in this once God-fearing nation to deceive the very elect. They are seeking to impose, by changing bylaws, inserting new laws, to assist in moving the masses towards acceptance of ungodly values. There is an attempt to nullify God's Word, to make it easier for one to embrace these brazen attempts and depart from the biblical era of yesteryear. They would desire that you would have an addiction to their way of life rather than a life pleasing to God.Scripture reveals that one to to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). Now is not the time to bend with the wind when it blows in a flood of filth and immorality. Addiction in a Postive WayThe apostle Paul spoke of two individuals who had addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints (1 Corinthians 16:15). There came a willingness in their lives to be of service to others, to willingly reach out and help because of their love for Christ. This is a good addiction, for another definition of the word "addict" is that of being a devotee. What an inspiration, a wonderful testament to one's life in knowing that one has given ministry to the saints of God, to help both in physical and spiritual needs, and being of value to the kingdom of God!It is far better to be addicted to the God of your salvation, and the Lord Jesus Christ, than to allow something else to grab your attention that is not of God. Rejection of worldly enhancements and enticements become a necessity when they do not line up with the Word of God.
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