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Addictions: Why They Return And How To Defeat Them
By Joel B.
When dealing with addictions, it is important to understand what they are and what they aren’t and we’re going to do this without getting too technical. In fact, let’s get right into the Holy Bible and see what it has to say about this type of behavior.
James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James hit it on the nose with that scripture. Addictions are self-indulgences that tempt us and cause us to lust. This, of course, is sinful and the end product is death. If you have an addiction you can’t shake or have ever had an addiction that you had to fight; you know what it’s like when you give in to it. It’s disheartening each and every time. You feel demoralized, like you just lost a battle where you were severely outnumbered. But wait, you may be outnumbered, and I will get to that in a minute.
What an addiction isn’t is something that can’t be reversed. Addictions cause chemical reactions in the brain and you may crave them or even suffer pangs while fighting them, but eventually these things dissipate. So, keep in mind that there is hope, but it may very well be a hard fought battle.
Now, that part about being outnumbered. I’m not saying all addictions start with demons, but they can certainly lead to the onset of an addiction, and in most cases I would go as far as to say that they attach themselves when an addiction starts to form. So, actually you are outnumbered if it’s just you versus them. It doesn’t have to be that way though. We have a loving God that can help us and bring us through any tough addictions.
Now, before I go into how to eliminate an addiction, let’s look at the problem a bit deeper. If you are going through that vicious cycle of trying to clean up your life and get rid of your addiction, but it seems like it keeps coming back, then there is a scripture you need to know about and it’s a scary one.
Matt 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
You see, demons provoke the problem and when you clean house the demon is going to try and come back and fight you for it. So, the first step in eradicating an addiction is not only to clean the house, but to “FILL” the house with things of God. That way these entities can’t return to wreak havoc on your body.
Next, expose the problem. Find someone you can confide in and talk about your addiction. Bring it into the light. You’ll not only feel better, but you will find that you’re normal and that people are more likely to want to help you than be judgmental.
Another important part of the process is not giving up if you slip up. Just don’t go an try to justify it. Hold yourself accountable, regroup, and go and do better next time the addiction starts to bother you.
Some other things you can do are go to counseling, join support groups, or even meet with your pastor. Keep a diary of your addiction, especially the details of what seems to trigger it and then avoid these trigger points.
Finally, keep leaning on the Lord. He can bring you through anything, including addictions. He also loves you and wants you to be healthy.
Friends, addictions are rough and not all addictions are the same. Some take a week or two to eliminate and others can take a very long time. Just do not measure yourself by your addiction. Measure yourself by your worth in Christ. You’ll find that gradually things will improve and that you may have an addiction, but your addiction isn’t what defines you as a person. Thank you for reading and God bless.
Such an important article!
Matthew 12:43-45 is often overlooked. People need to understand that satan doesn’t just give up on us once we are rescued. Spiritual warfare is real. Like a warrior he will lie in wait for another opportunity – and will fight even harder. When we ‘clean our house’ and invite God to live with us – we have a full house. Satan and his entourage will find there is no room for them.
…and this does not only apply to physical addictions – We can have a ‘clean’ house and fill it with an overabundance of ‘good’ things too. Leaving no room for God…but plenty of room for satan to sneak back in.
Melinda,
Right on. And things get worse the second time around because people end up dealing with more wicked demons. It can be a tough fight, but people have to realize that that their addictions don’t define them, but rather their relationship with Christ gives them their identity. Anyway, thanks for your feedback. God bless.
Tremendous article, Joel. I pray that many will read it. I have found what you say to be so true. We need to break addictions, bad habits, wrong ways of thinking and behaviors, or any negative things that have a grip on us by filling our TIME and our MINDS with positive thoughts and activities.
Yes, you gotta replace the addiction with positive things. A lot of times people just want the addiction to go away and then they feel a void and go back to it. It’s even worse when you’re dealing with demons, and the second time around the attack is heavier. Thanks for your comment. God bless.