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Our topic is addiction but not to substances or harsh things but to common, normal, average stuff.  So if you think this isn’t for you because you don’t have any serious addictions, think again.

A definition of addiction says, being enthusiastically devoted to a particular thing or activity, infatuated, obsessed, fixated, fanatical, abusing, or hooked on. The origin of the word means bound to someone or something. You can become obsessed with anything and it can take you out of God’s perfect order and shift the priorities of your life.  

The bible says in I Cor 10:12, “so if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.” You don’t necessarily have to be seduced or enticed, you are just doing something so fun, then you fall into addiction, you absorb yourself in the activity, and you forget about everything else. 

We need to be aware of how things can influence us, deceive us, and lure us into addictive habits and behaviors. Don’t minimize an activity especially if you don’t know if you have a weakness in that area. It can start out innocently enough but then it can lead to a life of bondage to it.

To prove the point that you can be addicted to anything, Robin tells the story of how she became addicted to soap operas not once but twice. She says, “Fortunately, I have not been seduced a third time but I know I could be and it is an area I must carefully guard for the rest of my life. When I started, I had no idea this was a weakness in my life.”

Don’t assume that once you have dealt with once with addiction that you won’t do it again. If it is your weak area, Satan will tempt you again and will use any trick, big or small, to get us out of alignment with God.

The bible say that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. God built inside of us a desire for glory. Glory lives inside through the Holy Spirit. If you feel it has been so long since you’ve felt any desire for glory, then today turn back to God. Once you stop doing some addictive habit or activity you will find it was filling some space in you, it leaves an emptiness within you and you need to fill it with something. 

God showed Robin how to combat her cycle of sin and put things back in order:

1. Read the bible. God’s word needs to be there to teach, rebuke, correct and train us in righteousness. You will find promises to claim and verses to memorize to combat any temptations.
2. Pray. Talk to God and open up your heart to hear from Him. Confess and repent of anything you have placed before Him. Obey His direction and guidance immediately.
3. Go to church. Being in honest fellowship with other believers is a better environment. Be with like-minded people who are trying to live for the Lord too. You are influenced by the company you keep.
4. Use your gifts. I joined the choir and served which helped to refocus my attention on using my hands and doing healthier godly things. Singing filled my heart with praises instead of things I had filled my heart with.
5. Tithe. It is critical to keep money in proper perspective. Give of the first fruits of what you make. The bible says the love of money has lead people into many troubles in this world. 
6. Accountability partner. As with substance addictions, you may need a support group, counselor, or trusted friend to help you combat your addiction.

Identify the root cause of an addiction. It might not be easy but it is essential that you stop any addictive behavior. God says to let it go, not because He doesn’t want you to have fun, but because it is a weakness of yours and harmful to you. Are you willing to give it up for a walk with Him where your priorities are all in order and God’s perfect glory can be brought into your life?