Addiction and God

Chapter Twenty-One    

Opportunity Knocks but 

Temptation Leans on the Doorbell

      When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when 

they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth 

to death.

                                    James (Brother of Jesus)

                                          James 1:13

      At this point, we need to discuss the various phenomena singularly associated with addiction as sin in our lives. If we understand the message of the Bible as it relates to certain aspects of addictive behaviors, we can attempt to derail them before they can take precedence in our lives. Anyone whose been trained in the techniques of combat will respond instinctively during battle. The same is true for those of us who actively work to overcome dependent behaviors. 

      Let's begin with the concept of cravings, which are an influential component in determining our chemical behaviors. According to disease theory, a craving is a "compulsive urge that has been created in the brain and is manifested physically.”  

      As a so-called "compulsive urge," these cravings are thought to drive impulsive actions that are almost impossible to resist. This is the definition of cravings that has been driven home for decades by disease theory proponents. As it turns out, the words "almost impossible" are more significant than we've been led to believe. Consider the following words written by disease theory apologist Dr. Harold Urschel:

      While it's true that you cannot prevent cravings from arising, you can control 

      whether you will respond by drinking or using. The startling fact is people in 

      recovery typically give in to only about 5% of their cravings!  

      Take a moment to let this sink in. This is a really important point to comprehend. One of the most well-respected physicians in the field of addiction studies confirms the fact that you have the absolute ability to control your response to cravings for intoxicating substances. In fact, Dr. Urschel admits that the average person in the process of recovery succumbs to only 5 out of 100 cravings. Do these results seem consistent with the theory of addiction is a disease?

      Harvard research psychologist Gene Heyman takes this idea one step further:

      If most addicts quit and cravings are common, then millions of addicts must 

      have experienced cravings to resume drug use but learned how not to give in 

      to them. Thus cravings are not a sufficient condition for drug use; they do not 

      make it obligatory.  

In other words, it's not possible to blame persistent chemical abuse on the simple existence of cravings. Their very definition implies that they are nearly impossible to ignore, but real world research seem to support the opposite conclusion. People can - and do - resist cravings for drugs and alcohol every single day. No matter what you've been told, cravings do not require an active response. 

It is essential that you understand this one simple point. The thought of using (which is often identified as a craving) is not the same as the active response required to  ingest intoxicating chemicals. Just because you've had the thought does not mean that you are required to act on it. As stated earlier, God created each of us with gift of free will in our lives. Ultimately, this means that we alone control our response… not some chemical compound.

Establishing Authority over Cravings

      People throughout history have discovered how to take certain natural elements (like opium) and synthesize them into substances that create feelings of euphoric pleasure. This is how mankind created intoxicating chemicals like drugs and alcohol. We have already learned that God created Satan and thus has authority over him. In much the same way, mankind needs to recognize and exert our own authority over the very intoxicating compounds that we ourselves created. In the same way that God has authority over the devil, believers have authority over drugs and alcohol. We control them; they do not control us. If they control you, then you have elevated them to the status of gods, and they will certainly not hesitate to accept your sacrifices. 

      However, if you can establish ultimate authority over them and bring your thoughts under control, you may well have the ammunition necessary to win each battle and eventually the war as a whole. This simple concept is reinforced by addiction specialist Dr. Harold Urschel:

      If you continually resist the urge to drink or use when exposed to a trigger, 

      your body and the hippocampal system in your brain will come to understand that the trigger is not a sign of good things to come. The dopamine system will no longer be automatically activated and eventually the trigger will fail to produce a craving. That's why cravings become weaker the longer you stay sober.  

If you can resist the first craving, you've won the initial battle and begun to separate the thought from the action. The more often these battles are won, the more separation there will be between the cravings and their active responses. 

      I once heard someone say, “Your mind is like a bad neighborhood – don’t go there alone!” With the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, you'll never have to go it alone! Remember: One of the Holy Spirit's primary functions is to convict us of our sins and direct us toward selflessness. If you’ve been born again, the indwelt Spirit of God will instruct you to make responsible choices with regard to these cravings. This practice of repetitive resistance will help you to take the necessary steps toward sobriety.