Holy Addiction

Years ago a friend of mine wore a T-shirt that read “Addicted to Space Invaders.” For a while I was addicted to video games. One of my favorites was “Dr. Mario.” I would spend up to $10/day on that game. This was when most video games still cost only a quarter to play.

One dictionary defines addiction as “relinquishing ourselves to the control of something or someone else.” Addictions usually don’t happen immediately. Alcoholics often start with just one drink. If they don’t know how to “hold their liquor”, they gradually drink more and more until they cannot control themselves. 

Everybody gets addicted to something. Some may choose drugs, pornography, gambling, food, sports, TV, or playing computer games for hours. I’ve heard people declare they have a caffeine addiction. While I often drink coffee, I will occasionally go without it for days to prove to myself that I’m not addicted to the stuff.

Another kind of addiction can be the latest ride at the amusement park. Many people look for an activity to give them an adrenaline rush. Proverbs 21:17 in the Message Bible reads, “You're addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied.” 

Once I heard a pastor point out how people can make themselves hungry for anything. Before he went into the ministry, this man developed an addiction to cribbage while serving in the U. S. Air Force. Initially he didn’t have an interest in the card game but soon was playing it regularly with his military buddies.

On the other hand, people can become addicted to spiritual things. 1 Corinthians 16:15 (KJV) says, “Ye know the house of Stephanas...and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” Carman wrote and recorded a song about being “Addicted to Jesus.”  Another minister I know stated on his web site, “We admit that we have an uncontrollable, holy addiction...the garbage dumps and the slums of the third world!” Getting high on God results in godly behavior. 

1 Timothy 3:3 in the Darby Translation warns against being “addicted to contention.” 2 Timothy 3:4 in the Message Bible says that in the last days people will be “addicted to lust, and allergic to God.” People can also get addicted to gossip and bitterness. 

What are you addicted to?

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:21