Behavioral Addictions: Another Religion

Imagine a 30-year-old man coming home from a war zone, having nightmares, panic attacks, and crazy thoughts. At first, he believes these things will go away if he distracts himself enough. Distractions might help a little, but the pain is still very real and seems only to be getting worse. Eventually, he feels like he has lost control and begins to self-medicate as a means to numb the pain. It is a way to feel like he is in control again. This is a reality for many, it was for me, and it is for many others. Most people would consider this a lack of discipline or self-control, but the reality is that this problem, as with all addictive behaviors, goes much deeper than that.

Behavioral addictions, such as gambling, drinking, drugs, shopping, social media, etc., are not primarily failures in willpower. Behavioral addictions are ritualized idolatry; an intense form of expression from a heart that has crowned the creation as its god. As image-bearers, we have been made to worship and worship we will. But we will not always worship God as we rightly should; instead, we will turn to the creation to satisfy the desires of our hearts, such as comfort, control, approval, and so on.

Worshipful Creations

People today, at least in most locations, aren’t necessarily bowing down to wooden sculptures or golden idols. However, we still organize our lives around the things we believe will provide us comfort, identity, security, joy, and so on. Paul refers to this in Romans 1:24-25, explaining that God has given us over to the lusts of our own hearts because, instead of worshipping the Creator, we have chosen to worship the creation. Nothing is neutral. We are either worshipping the true God or we are worshipping something else; idolatry.

Slaves and Masters

Every behavioral addiction is the result of a false gospel being offered: “If only I have this, achieve this, win this, etc., I will be like God.”

• Gaming - “If only I win this match / reach the next rank, then I’ll finally feel powerful and competent.”

• Gambling - “If only I hit the big one, then I’ll be significant and free from contempt.”

• Binge-eating or doom-scrolling - “If only I get this next hit, the pain will stop for a little while.”

• Shopping - “If only I owned this, then I’ll be beautiful and valuable.”

There is no use for God if we can become our own. In the moment, these lies and false gospels feel truer than Scripture because they often deliver an immediate payoff, such as dopamine, adrenaline, numbness, and the illusion of control or security. But these promises are lies, and like all false gods, they over-promise and under-deliver (Jer. 2:13; Hab. 2:18-19).

Addiction as Liturgy

Interestingly, each addictive behavior is accompanied by religious liturgy.

• The gamer’s perfect chair setup, energy drinks, and “do not disturb” sign.

• The food addict’s secret stash and private binge room.

• The gambler’s lucky ritual before placing the bet.

You see, these aren’t just random habits; they are religious ceremonies, or liturgies, in which our idols are approached and appeased. “If I have all the right things, done in just the right ways, my idol will give me what I desire.” And the heart is the protector of our idols. When something gets in the way of our worship, the lies begin, the rage and bitterness set in, and the isolation and withdrawal start to take over. We MUST have what we are looking for, how we want it, and when we want it, and we will do whatever we can to get it.

Look Within

A simple diagnostic question can help us determine the idols we hold so dearly: “What are you most afraid of losing, or most afraid will happen, if you quit ______________?” What would happen if you were to stop drinking, gambling, gaming, or shopping? What would you lose if you were not to get that promotion at work, finish that degree, or have that big house with all the land you want? The answers to these questions will almost always reveal the idol you, or your loved one, is holding on to so tightly. Idols such as pleasure, approval, performance, control, or security will almost always come out in the answers. “If I stop gambling, I will never hit that jackpot, and life will become meaningless.”  The idol of pleasure/materialism is revealed.

Re-Ordered Worship, not Behavior Modification

Since our behavioral addictions are rooted in a disordered worship, change must take place by re-orienting our worship away from the false gods of our day and towards the true God who gives true satisfaction. It isn’t about willpower, twelve steps to freedom, or finding the right medication that works; while these things might have their place, it is ultimately about the object of our worship. If what Paul reveals in Romans 1:25 is true, that we have become slaves to our idol worship, then the opposite is also true; freedom is found in worshipping the Creator rather than the creation. Here are four ways to move towards this re-orientation:

1. Expose the lie – name exactly how the idol has failed you and deceived you (Jeremiah 2:26–28).

2. Taste something better – find your satisfaction and righteousness in Christ alone and remember all the times that Gd has been faithful (Psalm 34:8; Philippians 3:8).

3. Destroy the altar (put off) – radical, costly, public removal of access (Matthew 5:29–30; Romans 13:14).

4. Replace the liturgy (put on) – new daily habits of Scripture, prayer, corporate worship, and service that target the exact lie the idol told.

When we fall

We must remember that change is a lifelong battle, not a once-and-done thing. Paul reveals this in Romans 7 as he talks about his own personal struggle with sin. If we could snap our fingers and be done with it all, then we have no need for the continuing grace of God in forgiveness and sanctification. Relapse is to be expected in this broken world as we are exposed to sin and corruption on a daily basis. Quick repentance, frequent confession, and the ordinary means of grace are essential to this battle. The same Christ who justifies us is the same Christ who sustains us and glorifies us into eternity.

Conclusion

Behavioral addictions are not to be taken lightly as some sort of “respectable sin” or momentary weakness. Behavioral addictions are a religion of false gods presenting false promises that only the true God can fulfill. No amount of secular treatments or recovery programs can help. Only the Holy Spirit working in hearts and minds, through the church, can direct us back to God, where we belong. Modern addictions are seen through the lens of the substance/object being an overpowering force in our lives, but the Bible says our hearts are set on idols instead of God, and therefore, we have a worship problem.