I posted this last month on a blog for work about substance abuse and addiction. I've been involved with a coalition in Utah County since last May called the Substance Misuse and Abuse Reduction Team (SMART). In the past six months I have learned so much regarding the science of addiction.
A couple of days after I wrote that post, I was reading a book called The Peacegiver by James L. Ferrell. I had started reading this book over a year ago, but this time I read the entire thing in a couple of days. One of the last chapters in the book talks about sin and how when we sin it opens the door for the devil to captivate us with the chains of hell. The author explains that, "...just as the addict loses control to his physical addictions...sin is an addictive substance...our bodies become wired for it." (pg.156-157).
Sin truly is an addiction. Just like alcohol, pornography, or even chocolate, it feels so good to give into the temptation to sin. For myself, I think of the temptation to gossip and how I know I shouldn't speak negatively about someone, but when I finally do, in the moment it feels that I've unloaded a burden. However, the problem with an addiction is that the long term consequences are always negative. Yet, before we see or fully understand the consequences, we can become addicted to the gratifying feeling of the initial indulgence.
Addiction cannot be conquered by simply ceasing to take part in the addictive action. Just as drugs and alcohol can rewire your brain and impede with your thought processes and decision making even when not under the influence, partaking in sin rewires the desires of our heart. As Ferrell writes, "...we [begin to] lose sight of the Lord and our need for him. We begin to see the world in ways that excuse our indiscretions. And then, kind of like an addiction, I suppose, we find it easier to continue in sinful paths." (pg. 161).
Thankfully, there is hope for all of us "addicts". We are supremely blessed that through Jesus Christ, we not only find the power to cease from sinful acts, we find recovery--a complete change of heart and, in essence, a new person.
