Freedom from Addiction

Sometimes I see ads for a free game claiming to be "the most addictive game" on the internet.  I wonder how that could be seen as a positive thing.  Perhaps it is because people don't see a problem with addiction or actually invite addiction to things they enjoy.  Paul says in 1 Cor. 6:12, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."  Paul decided he would not be brought under the power of any outside influence of the world.  He would only allow himself to be influenced by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Addiction could be defined as making a need out of the unnecessary.  It is a passion which has become an controlling obsession.  Alcohol is not required for life to be sustained, but many people cannot think of facing a day without it.  Drugs, Ipods, cell phones, energy drinks, television shows, social networking sites, the internet, and countless other things can become addictions people crave to cultivate.  We love our addictions, and love to hate them too.  As long as we see addiction as a healthy choice, we won't recognize the padded chains that bind us.  When Christians habitually give themselves over to the power of anything rather than God, we cross the line of idolatry and transgress.  A good thing in itself can become a bad thing, and a bad thing embraced can foul the best of men.

Are you under the power of any but Christ?  Only He can break the heavy yoke of addiction from our shoulders.  Jesus says in Luke 4:18-19, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; [19] To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."  Willpower is nothing before the power of sin and Satan.  After Christ has shattered your chains and crushed the head of the enemy of your soul underfoot, let us choose to live in the liberty and freedom Christ has given.