soultransformation 10/27/10
Your Addiction, Your Idol
by Beth Livingston
Certified Recovery Specialist
Have you ever thought that your addiction is really idolatry? Think about it. Matthew 11:28 says, "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'." But we don't bring our burdens directly to Jesus. We seek a buzz to help us cope with our issues.
Deuteronomy 6:5 says,"And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength." Surely part of our heart, soul and strength are turning to our drug or behavior of choice instead of turning to God.
God lets us know that He is a jealous God. Exodus 20:3 says, "You must not have any other god but me." Exodus 20:5a says, "You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods." Are you spending more time feeding you addiction than you spend seeking God? Have you shown by your choices that your addiction satisfies you in a way that God doesn't? If so, you've made an idol of your drug of choice. It's taking God's rightful place in your life.
Colossians 3:5 says, "So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world." Did those last six words strike a chord with you? WORSHIPING THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD - Isn't that what we're doing when we choose our sinful behavior? We choose to stick close to our addiction and keep Jesus at arm's length.
If today you choose to put God first and love Him with all your heart, soul, and strength, He will show Himself mighty and begin clearing your life of the idols that you've set up. He wants to be the only God in your life.
Certified Recovery Specialist
Have you ever thought that your addiction is really idolatry? Think about it. Matthew 11:28 says, "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'." But we don't bring our burdens directly to Jesus. We seek a buzz to help us cope with our issues.
Deuteronomy 6:5 says,"And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength." Surely part of our heart, soul and strength are turning to our drug or behavior of choice instead of turning to God.
God lets us know that He is a jealous God. Exodus 20:3 says, "You must not have any other god but me." Exodus 20:5a says, "You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods." Are you spending more time feeding you addiction than you spend seeking God? Have you shown by your choices that your addiction satisfies you in a way that God doesn't? If so, you've made an idol of your drug of choice. It's taking God's rightful place in your life.
Colossians 3:5 says, "So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world." Did those last six words strike a chord with you? WORSHIPING THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD - Isn't that what we're doing when we choose our sinful behavior? We choose to stick close to our addiction and keep Jesus at arm's length.
If today you choose to put God first and love Him with all your heart, soul, and strength, He will show Himself mighty and begin clearing your life of the idols that you've set up. He wants to be the only God in your life.