I highly recommend, “Addictions: Banquet in the Grave”, by Ed Welch because it deals with the theology underlying addictions. The author states quite bluntly that all addictions are idolatry based, that they are a worship disorder. Idols start out serving us as a means to an end, but cruelly, in the end, we are forced to serve the idol and this slavery is what defines an addiction.
His theology is helpful in the same way Tozer’s is when he says that all sin has the same root, the self-life. Clearly, not all sin leads to addiction though; there must be some interplay of physiological or psychological (or both) responses with sin that differs from person to person due to our individual makeup They become, the sin and the response, irrevocably intertwined, controllable perhaps but not revocable except, of course, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Sins, such as these that are tied to our physical or emotional responses eventually reach the point where they interfere with day-to-day function and have substantial and recognizable consequences; self can no longer keep it hidden away or under control and human judgment results – the idol is now fully in control – and we recognize it as addiction.
I seem drawn to people with addictions or perhaps they are drawn to me. As an exhorter, it is always my desire to help, to turn people towards Christ and the real and practical help He has to offer. But sometimes, I can get in God’s way; my very presence may provide a response similar to the addictive behavior, negating the pressure the Holy Spirit is heaping on, preventing the person from turning to Him. I think of it rather like the pressure regulator on top of a pressure cooker. Relieving too much pressure prevents what’s inside from getting properly cooked; i.e., the Holy Spirit is prevented from doing His work. The surgery or healing or transformation that was intended when the pressure was initiated never results. This make sense to me too in terms of the number of things that people can be addicted to like relationships, shopping, alcohol, food, sex and power because we’re all made up differently and therefore different things relieve the pressure we feel. So, in my mind, anything that relieves the pressure that the Holy Spirit is putting on is, by definition, sin.
More later.....
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21 comments:
Good stuff here, much to chew on.
I think to break free we need God's revelation found in all of Scripture; and particularly in Jesus, his Person, words and work; and by the leading and help of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
I agree that anything that gets hold of us so as to control us is idolatrous, and must be overthrown, or as you have said, rooted out of our hearts and lives.
I like your point about getting in God's way and stifling the work of the Spirit.
I'm staying tuned in for the "more later".
I want to add to this a gut comment.
I think we're talking about learning to live a whole new way of life here. And while we need the breakthrough, this will take time, involving a process.
Reminds me of AA and some of the good stuff there, the process, etc., though I don't know it as well as I'd like to.
I think the work of the CCEF guys - Ed Welch, Powlison, Tripp - is a work desperately needed in the church today.
It's often not just an addiction - it's a problem of sin and idolatry - sounds simple, but so profound
Glad you're benefiting from their writings
Don't get me wrong ESI, I don't actually think you ever have addiction without sin -
I'd have to think and contrive to find even a far-fetched example for this - maybe a physical addiction only (by neurchemical addiction standards) for someone who was on a specific category of pain meds in a hospital long-term or something of that nature.
My whole point is that it all starts in the heart.
Isn't there some research that shows there are addictive personalities? Something about people who are high-risk tolerant? I wonder how that fits in.
LL - I'm not up on the current secular psych research but my own experience is that, yes, there are some folks (me included) who are more prone - both by personality and by physiologic makeup - to becoming addicted to either substances or acts. How much of this is nurture and how much is nature, only God knows.
What the literature does show is that brain chemistry is altered by thought and action - so we are left with a chicken or an egg issue - say, for instance, are the brain levels of a certain neurotransmitter in a clinically depressed person decreased because that person is depressed or in response to that person becoming depressed. The current hypothesis, at least the one promoted by the drug companies, is that the depressed chemicals cause the depressed mood. However, there's plenty of research to show that soomething as little as laughter over a period of time can alter brain chemicals too.
So, we're back to what the scripture says - which I would bank on - as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. My bet is that there are genetic propensities to certain mental conditions just as there are to certain physical ones such as diabetes - so, I'm not sure why the brain should be spared if no other organ is - however, just like with diabetes, our life style choices have much to do with whether we can hold those issues at bay sucessfully with or without medication.
'you ever have sin without addiction'.
Well, we all have sin, but we are not all addicted. I think addiction is more physical than mental. OK, there are always going to be people who get addicted because they are insecure, unloved and whatever, but most addictions to substance, alcohol, nicotine etc. is because we try it, like it, and then our bodies want more.
I too am the addictive type. I am getting addicted to running again. I like the way it feels, I like how I feel afterwards and I always like a bit of a challenge. If I could afford it, I would become addicted to sailing, horse riding and becoming like Maalie and always off exploring the world.
I don't think it especially a sin to go running or do any of the other things I like doing. My sins are much more insiduous and hidden.
Love, hugs and xxx,
Lorenzo.
Humm - my typing leaves much to be desired - so lets try this comment to LtL again.....
Ah my dear Llama - the horrid weather you have in England has made you read backwards I think - the word order I wrote is: "I don't actually think you ever have addiction without sin"
What you wrote is 'you ever have sin without addiction' - or were you perhaps asking a question?
I agree with you completely - many individual things can be sin without becoming addicitons. but I don't think you can truly become addicted without sinning -
Perhaps we differ on our definition of sin - mine is "to miss the mark that God has set out for me" - much like missing the bullseye - a clearly set target.
What scripture clearly says is sin, that part is easy to agree on because there are lists - but the things you mention - running, sailing, traveling, these are not mentioned. So, I can see where those would not be a problem for some but would for others.
As to addiction being primarily physical - I would disagree - I think the mental/emotional must overlay and interact with the physical for a true addiction to happen.
Now - about those "insiduous and hidden" - off to Father Anne with you!
Gosh why am I so thick and cannot make constructive comments like all of these good people?
boo hoo!
Gosh! Why am I even thicker for posting the same comment twice?
Sometimes I think I am 'one sandwich short of a picnic!'
Martin,
Note the "this post have been removed by author" above - and you'll find that more than one of us has problems with accidentally putting up the same comment twice - ME!
I'm glad you think the comments are constructive - but as to "good people" - I'm not so sure how good any of us are - especially outside a relationship with Christ - so if you find the comments helpful, I'd give Him the credit.
Whoops Susan! Not every scientist is smug, self-satisfied etc. etc. I forgot you were one too! Well that only goes to show that some scientists can be spiritual too!
Love and apologies Lorenzo. x
> My whole point is that it all starts in the heart.
May I respectfully ask for clarification? The heart is a pump that circulates blood. I am not aware of any other function.
maalie - yes, of course you may - it just may take a day - my annual faculty report is past due - I wrote the due date down incorrectly - and my chairwoman is hopping mad with me so all else must wait - I do so hate writing page after page about how wonderful I've been for the past year - but it is the world of american academics - I'm sure you understand....
Donald Soper was talking about hearts and feelings and whatnot, and about how the heart is just a pump, muscle, blood and sinew. But, he said, do you really want people to say "I love you with all my pump".
Don't tell me Maalie, that you have never used the word 'heart' to one of the many Sheilas you chat up so well.
Lorenzo.
Succumbed to your nagging! Got a new post up but that will probably be classed as addiction and obsession!!
Love Lorenzo.
Ooo Susan, isn't envy one of the seven deadlies?
LtL
Yes of course, but that use is metaphorical, and that is OK so long as it is understood as such. But my own interpretation of the use of "My whole point is that it all starts in the heart" suggested to me more than a metaphor which surprises me from a scientist.
Right! I am off to your daughters blogg soon, how could you be so foolish as to give me her blog address! tee hee
Hello Susan. The llama again!
The other evening I was minding my own business and watching the television and who should suddenly appear on it? Mr Maalie!! My big brother. I had now idea he had ever been filmed, let alone was going to become a household name, a celebrity, a famous film star.
I have written a post about it. That makes two posts in three days! No more nagging please!
Hugs, Lorenzo.
Hello my friend, are you okay or have you just gone away somewhere warm and exotic for a while??
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