the idolatry of addiction

[gmadison]

i have learned to think of addiction as idolatry.
an idol is something that is worshipped.
the way we worship is to sacrifice, surrender control, and glorifying. i praise God for the example of the Thessalonians who turned to God from idols to serve the true and living God (1 Thes. 1:9). i praise God that through my intimacy with Him i had been able to turn from crack-cocaine, cigarettes and fornication.
this is what a consider to be a spiritual approach to addiction. many people only present a psychological approach and call it spiritual. not to say that it is not beneficial, but let's be real. don't you think that a lot of people are missing the point?

that's my question. do you think that it will help people to look at their addictions in this light?

 

[Mr.Cheese]

It may help some people. You have to be careful about applying one point of view to every case.

Definitely worth sharing though.

 

[AngelDove1]

i have learned to think of addiction as idolatry.
an idol is something that is worshipped.
the way we worship is to sacrifice, surrender control, and glorifying. i praise God for the example of the Thessalonians who turned to God from idols to serve the true and living God (1 Thes. 1:9). i praise God that through my intimacy with Him i had been able to turn from crack-cocaine, cigarettes and fornication.
this is what a consider to be a spiritual approach to addiction. many people only present a psychological approach and call it spiritual. not to say that it is not beneficial, but let's be real. don't you think that a lot of people are missing the point?

that's my question. do you think that it will help people to look at their addictions in this light?

Good post....
for those seeking help, ya....
but for the ones still out there
that don't want help.
its a great way to plan the seed.

 

[LoG]

i have learned to think of addiction as idolatry.
an idol is something that is worshipped.

that's my question. do you think that it will help people to look at their addictions in this light?

Interesting question. My take on it is that the idolatry slant is spiritually discerned. Those with no relationship with God would not see the significance of it, especially when they are in denial about their addiction in the first place.

1Co 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1Co 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

To me those verses tell me it is ok to use psychology to define the problem and then present the spiritual aspect as the only permanent solution.

 

[WingsOfTheNeophyte]

Perhaps idoltary is a bit too far? One does not worship a substance or pray to it, in most cases as cigarette or coffee we simply use these substances to our own enjoyment or purposes, or in case of drugs many I know simply consider it a hobby, just as one might consider computer games or basketball, of course anything that distract us from God is considered sinfull, but is not calling it idoltary a little too far, perhaps idleness, or ignorance

its a great way to plan the seed.

Perhaps, but surely guilting someone by the idea of hell or dreadfull sin is not how one should begin to approach the issue of substance abuse

 

[gmadison]

Interesting question. My take on it is that the idolatry slant is spiritually discerned. Those with no relationship with God would not see the significance of it, especially when they are in denial about their addiction in the first place.

1Co 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1Co 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

To me those verses tell me it is ok to use psychology to define the problem and then present the spiritual aspect as the only permanent solution.

well said