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Addiction explained from a spiritual perspective
From a Christian stand-point, addiction has been somewhat defined as a "Worship Disorder". Dr. Ed Welch, a well- known Clinical Psychologist say, "The disease theory persists because there are no other readily available explanations...If Scripture doesn't guide us, something else will... An addiction is a worship disorder. Instead of worshiping the divine King, addicts worship idols that temporarily satisfy physical desire."Dr. Sam Williams, in " A Biblical Approach To Addictions" (Lifeway Magazine) writes, "From a biblical perspective, something has gone wrong with the desires of an addict; they've been hijacked and taken hostage. What began as a friendship becomes infatuation, then a love affair and eventually the addict is captive to a fatal attraction. An idol that was originally intended to serve him and do his bidding, turns the table until one day the addict wakes up and recognizes, "I'm hooked." Choice by choice, the addict forges the links in his own chain. The Wonderful Counselor knew this, "Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin" (John 8.34 HCSB).The Apostle Paul put it this way, "Do you not know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey-either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?" (Romans 6.16 HCSB)Worship and its perversion, idolatry, are biblical categories that capture both the life dominating and the against-God nature of addiction. The Bible's concept of sin matches perfectly with both the voluntary/purposeful/rebellious and the enslaved/deceived/out-of-control aspects of addiction. Addiction is a form of bondage that you voluntarily sign up for, and then realize you got something you didn't want. "Southeastern Carolina Crossroads wants to provide the opportunity for men that struggle with addictions to find the spiritual void of worship they have been missing. We have witnessed sin in a variety of circumstances and understand the true way to freedom. We believe that every man who enters the gates of Southeastern Carolina Crossroads has been sent by God for a purpose. It is up to them to accept that truth and find that purpose.