Overcoming Addiction part 3:Addiction defined by God

In 2015, Female Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Ronda Rousey dominated headlines and the UFC cage. As one sports analyst put it, “She found a definition of herself, and she really liked what she found.” Then she fought Holly Holm. Seemingly unbeatable Ronda Rousey was knocked out and lost.

Her life spiraled into a deep depression. She said, “What am I anymore if I’m not this?” She lost her identity. Why?

Throughout the Bible, people are seen worshipping idols. When I say the word “idol,” maybe you think of an ancient statue or something. An idol is anything we place a higher value on than God. We see this in the first commandment, “Have no other Gods but me” (Exodus 20:3).

God, through His Word, connects these two concepts of addiction and idolatry. Ultimately, addiction is a spiritual and idolatrous issue. Let's see how addiction relates to idolatry.

First, addiction and idolatry both occur when something or someone other than God has power over us. When we’re addicted, we give more value or importance to something or someone than it deserves. Nothing other than God should have ultimate power over us.

Second, addiction and idolatry happen when something masters us. When something or someone dictates our behavior, we might have fallen into addiction and idolatry. We also might deliberately change our behavior to be more acceptable to someone. These are also signs of addiction and idolatry.

Third, addiction and idolatry take place when we worship or glorify something other than God. Where do you spend the majority of your time? Social media? Why does it feel like death when someone takes your phone away? What do you spend most of your money on? What do you give most of your energy or effort to? All of these questions can be helpful in discerning an addiction or idol.

Thinking back to yesterday’s medical definition, and combining it with today’s biblical definition, here’s a fuller definition of addiction: pursuing something other than God in a repetitive, habitual, or patterned way to get our needs met and bring us comfort, even though it’s harmful to us.

When you face adversity or stress, what do you run to? Where do you find relief or comfort? Your answers may reveal your idols and addictions.