What is an Addiction?

The Bible doesn’t use the modern word “addiction,” but it describes the condition in terms of slavery, idolatry, and loss of self-control. From a biblical perspective, addiction happens when a desire, habit, or substance “masters” a person, usurping God’s rightful place, affecting behavior, and causing harm.

When working with an individual and conducting a sex-addiction assessment, I use the phrase, “addiction to the level of the addiction.” That wouldn’t be acceptable in a secular or strictly clinical setting, but when working with apostolics, there is a moral consideration involved. 

Most clinicians would agree that someone who accesses pornography multiple times a day and acts out has an addiction. However, acting out once every 2-3 months would not have the same result. To me, though, that still counts as an addiction. If there is a pattern, then there is an addiction to the level of the addiction.

Most people see the behavior caused by addiction as the biggest concern. However, I am more focused on what causes that behavior. Concentrating only on the behavior or the symptom can be short-sighted. 

An Addict’s Motivation

What motivates an addict’s behavior are the wounds from the past buried deep inside. When we think about the past, we must look all the way back to the beginning of time for the addicted person. The first few years of a person’s life are extremely formative. An adult’s behavior is mainly driven by the wounded child still living within them. 

A person can change their behavior, but unless they address what causes that behavior, a new coping mechanism will likely develop. They might be able to stop the acting out through sheer willpower, but another addiction will soon replace it.

I believe in God’s healing power and know He can deliver anyone. However, I also understand that God will not override our free will. He won’t tear down the walls we’ve built over time. We must open the door when He knocks. That is where the challenge lies. 

Unless we allow Jesus to bring healing into our lives, it won’t happen. Words alone are not enough. We must let Him in. That means the light has to shine on the wounds of the past, which isn’t an easy process.

Regardless of the behavior—whether it’s sex addiction, substance abuse, gambling, anger, bitterness, or others—God can and will heal if we allow Him. This involves following James’ example by doing some of the work ourselves and demonstrating our faith in God. 

In summary, biblically speaking, addiction is anything that takes control of a person’s heart and habits—acting as an idol and a form of slavery—where God calls us to freedom, self-control, and worship of Him alone.