Beyond Sobriety: Exposing the Heart of Addiction and Finding Transformation in Christ

Introduction

As evidenced by numerous recovery programs, recovery houses, and recovery curricula, we are living in a world that struggles to find effective ways to address addiction issues. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of recovery books and programs, each offering a different method and definition of addiction recovery. While some of these resources provide helpful and constructive approaches to dealing with addiction, most of them fall short. Rather than directing us toward Christ, who has the power to transform us, most of these resources focus on external factors and foster a victim mentality regarding addiction. As Biblical counselors, we should seek a more effective approach to addressing addiction issues, one that reveals our sinful hearts and drives us to the cross of Christ.

A Worship Disorder

To have an accurate understanding of addiction, we must first admit that our deepest problem is not drugs, alcohol, sex, or shopping; it is sin—namely, the sin of idolatry. Edward Welch is helpful here: “When you look at it closely, drunkenness is a lordship problem. Who is your master, God or your desires? Do you desire God above all else, or do you desire something in creation more than you desire God?” Ed Welch also mentions that the Bible’s use of “drunkenness” is a prototype of all addictions and describes it as a sinful heart issue, never as a sickness or disease. Proverbs 23:29-35 gives a vivid picture of what being mastered by alcohol looks like, and we all know the story of Noah in Genesis 9:18-27.

The New Testament likewise exhorts us to refrain from a lifestyle of drunkenness and equates it with a list of other sins (Eph. 5:18; Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Pet. 4:3). Seeing addictions in this way helps us to reorientate our view of addiction from one of a disease or sickness to one of sin and idolatry. This reorientation is essential because if we see our addictions as simply a disease, we lose all hope of ever truly recovering from our addictions. Still, if we see them as they are — sin — we have the hope of Christ and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit to help us. We are not helpless victims of bad genetics. We are helpless sinners in need of confession, repentance, and salvation.

Sin and Sickness: A Nuanced View

Because the Bible addresses addictions as sin and moral failings against our holy God, biblical counseling likewise should address addictions in the same way. This does not mean that a biblical counselor should ignore the very real biological and psychological effects of addictions on the body. Long-term use of drugs and alcohol obviously has a lasting impact on the human body. Therefore, we must also help those we counsel deal with these issues as well, as we can. While these issues of the body are real, they must remain subordinate to the real problem of the heart.

Because of the many bodily issues resulting from long-term drug and alcohol abuse, the secular model seems justified in calling addiction a disease. Often, this turns into a “forever diagnosis” that essentially says, “Once an addict, always an addict.” But the gospel response is one of lasting, forever, transformation. One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” The gospel fundamentally changes a person, giving them a new heart with new desires (Ezek. 36:26), and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who continuously works within us to change us more and more into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

A Divine Solution

The hope for addiction rests solely on the sovereignty of God and his power to change people into entirely new creations. Ephesians 3:20-21 declares that God can do far more abundantly than we ask because it is His power and glory that is at work within us. This should be a confidence boost for any biblical counselor dealing with addiction issues; God can and will do more than we typically ask for. This is why we must remain dependent on Christ and the work of the Spirit for transformation. Given our fallen nature, we cannot effect this transformation through our own willpower.

Perhaps this is why Paul places emphasis on being “filled with the Spirit,” as the antidote to being “drunk with wine” in Ephesians 5:19, because it is through the regenerating and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit that we truly experience the transformation to begin with.  Growing in Christ-likeness is a lifelong process that occurs only because the Spirit works within us. Likewise, it is only through our union with Christ that we experience true forgiveness (justification) and transformation (sanctification).

Some Practical Steps for Finding Freedom

1. Focus on the heart: Before changing how you deal with addictions, you must first change the way you think about and understand addictions. This includes a renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:2) and seeking true repentance and forgiveness in Christ (1 John 1:9).

2. Confession and accountability: We have to be honest with ourselves and with others about our addictions. If we are hiding the fact that we struggle with addictions, it will be hard to find freedom from our addictions. We should also seek help and accountability within a Christian community, typically the local church, as well as through counseling.

3. Engage with God in Scripture and prayer:  Trusting in God for lasting freedom means engaging with God both in His Word and in prayer. The Psalms are filled with genuine and heartfelt prayers to God, but Psalm 119:9-11 is especially helpful to memorize and pray through.

4. “Put-off” and “Put-on”: Ephesians 4:20-24 instructs us to put off our former ways of living and to put on our new ways of living through Christ, and to renew our minds. This is the hard work of turning from our old ways of living and embracing righteousness and holiness.

5. Playing offense and defense: Play offense by proactively seeking God through personal disciplines, community, and serving others. Playing defense by actively resisting temptations, remembering God’s promises, and that God always provides a way out of the temptation (1 Cor. 10:13).

6. Understanding relapse: Relapse is a very real possibility as we continue to live a life struggling with our sin and the spiritual warfare we encounter through this life. Sin will remain a struggle for us, but Christ’s power is sufficient in providing lasting change.

Some Questions for Reflection

1. What do you believe about addictions?

2. How are you fighting addictions in your own life?

3. How are you helping others deal with their addictions?

Feel free to share this post and start a conversation about addictions and the transforming work of Christ within us.

Welch, Edward T. Addictions: Banquet in the Grave. Pg. 23

Ibid. Pg. 22