The subject of addiction is one of great interest today. Many addictions are fairly common, perhaps the most notable being addiction to drugs and alcohol. However, addictions to gambling and sex are gaining notoriety. Perhaps you are reading this article because you know or fear that you are addicted. Perhaps you are reading this because someone you love appears to be addicted to something to the point of harming themselves.

There are various ways to look at and define addiction. However, experientially, most recognize that addiction has occurred when one loses control over an activity to the point that he/she knows it has become unmanageable, even in light of a desire to quit, and further, when the activity is patently harmful to that person and/or to others. Jesus, and the Bible at large, did not use the term addiction itself. Words like “intemperance” or expressions similar to “being given over to sin,” or “being controlled by sin” do however address the principle. In fact, the whole Bible addresses the underlying problem—sin—and the ultimate cure—Christ.

The Scriptures reveal that being controlled by anything in the world is to take control away from God, “Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). Some activities are revealed as completely sinful and are not to be participated in at all—drunkenness (using anything to create inebriation), sexual immorality (all sexual activity with another outside of marriage), and sexual impurity (the participation in sinful activity in thought, feeling and fantasy). Other activities are not within themselves singled out by the Bible as wrong; however, an unhealthy attraction or compulsion to them creates a sin within itself.

For example, while Christians have built a strong case against gambling, the Scripture really has little to nothing to say about its rightness or wrongness. But clearly, gambling creates an addiction in so many and even if one argues that the gambling is not within itself a sin, most seem to agree that an unmanageable compulsion to gamble is definitely against the will of God. It’s the same with drinking alcohol. While social drinking may be sinful for some for other reasons, such as evil associations and and prideful, worldly motives, the Scripture never condemns drinking some alcohol. Surely, Jesus could have been drinking some alcohol in small amounts. Surely, the early Christians were drinking some alcohol in their wines. The Bible writers seem to assume that the recipients of there letters would understand when drinking a little wine had passed over into drunkness. Smoking and tobacco use is also not mentioned in the scripture but its harmful side effects and its highly addictive nature make the decision quite clear for most. Addictions to sports, shopping, food, and even just having to “please” others (co-dependence) can be very addictive. None of these are inherently sinful, but being controlled by a compulsion to them obviously creates a situation where something else other than Christ has control over us in that arena.

Once an addiction sets up within a person, it is not easy to break. A person’s makeup and personality can lend itself to having an easier or harder time breaking an addiction’s hold. There are many internal factors that are involved in setting up a true addiction. There are very powerful biochemical activities in the brain and other parts of the body that are at play. There are strong social, mental and emotional factors that also come into play.

To truly break the bonds of addiction one must take several key steps:

1. Come to understand the original motives for involvement in the activity—what does this activity do for me?
2. Identify the current motives for the activity, as they can be quite different than the original ones.
3. Recognize the unmanageability of the situation and agree with God to give the activity up to Christ—to let him have control. And, depending on one’s spiritual persuasion to even rebuke that “spirit of addiction”, i.e. lust and impurity, greed and selfishness, self-indulgence, etc., and order it to leave one’s life. Pray without ceasing for healing, help, insight, and power in the Holy Spirit. And, all-in-all, simply stop denying the addiction.
4. Make a bold commitment to break the control of the addiction. Most require a complete cessation of the activity and strong social support against participation. Determine in your mind that you will never give up the addiction again, even in the face of repeated relapses.
5. Get involved with others that have a deeper understanding of that addiction. These can be pastors/ministers, elders, and counselors, as well as a host of support groups and agencies.
6. Identify the underlying needs that are being met by the addiction, such as, pleasure and relaxation, freedom from the burden of problems, escape and recreation, love and affection, fun and joy, social interaction, sexual fulfillment, etc.
7. Change one’s living patterns that lead to the uncontrollable behavior, even to the point of changing social groups and friends; changing residences; changing the route home; for sure, joining a church, house church, Bible study, or ministry (if you are in one that provides little or no help, you should consider finding one that can help you more); committing strongly to an effective support group; or taking the strong step to spend some serious time in a treatment facility or Christian ministry camp dedicated to bring healing to such addictions.
8. Never ever give up, no matter what. Get in it for the long-haul. Read. Talk to healthy spiritual people. Work with others that have found healing. Try strategies revealed to you by the Spirit directly or through other people. Stick with the ones that help.
9. Claim, in advance, your new found freedom. Visualize a positive, healthy life free from the addictive control you’ve experienced. Plan your life. Be positive in your efforts. Few change through beating themselves up. Yes, understand it is wrong. Yes, own the guilt of your own sin and self-indulgence. Yes, admit you were probably foolish to begin in the first place. But, yes, also admit that although you know you are a sinner that you are seen as “holy and blameless” in Christ. Claim or reclaim a hopeful, positive outlook on yourself and life.
10. Remember the words of God: "Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything” (1 Cor. 6:12). And again, "Everything is permissible—but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible—but not everything is constructive” (1 Cor. 10:23). Please let others who care help!