For the second teaching of our three-week series ‘Vous: Mental Health & You‘, Matt Sparks teamed up with Laura Scherman to give a clinical and theological perspective on Addiction (watch here). In this post, Matt gives a guide to dealing with addiction as a Christian.
Humans are designed to be pleasure seeking creatures. We have an in-built reward system in the brain that rewards pleasurable activities with a hit of dopamine. An addiction hijacks that system.
Addictions can take the form of a substance-abuse disorders, like illicit drug addiction or alcoholism. But more commonly people associate addiction with things like pornography, gambling, tobacco, food, smart phones, shopping, and sex, to name a few.
We know the destructive nature of a pornography addiction (Fight the New Drug). We know the changes that are occurring to our brains as a result of excessive smart phone usage (Business Insider: What Your Smartphone is doing to your Brain and It Isn’t Good). The reality is, many people, including those in our church family, are struggling.
What hope is there for those who feel trapped and are suffocating under the weight of their addictive behaviours?
1. There is hope for change
An apt metaphor of addiction is that of slavery. Someone or something controls and masters you, irrespective of the negative consequences of that behaviour.
We know from the Scriptures that sin enslaves us (Genesis 4:7, Romans 6:16)—all of us! And the good news is that God is in the business of setting captives free, and loosing the bonds of slavery.
Additionally, God is committed to our change and Christlikeness! This is part of the Spirit’s work in our lives!
In Romans 12:2 Paul says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”
Paul was certainly not aware of the recent scientific revelations around neuroplasticity and the hope that brings to change. But what he does say is that change occurs from the inside out.
Too often, strategies for change (even religious ones) focus on the outside externals. But Paul say we experience change when we begin to allow the Spirit to bring our thinking in line with the Word of God. God is committed to our transformation (Romans 8:29)! And since God is powerful, there’s hope!
2. There is grace in our mistakes
Shame and guilt are often a millstone around the neck drowning those wrestling with addiction.
We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ deals decisively with guilt and shame. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)!
Somehow, though, we’ve believed the lie that God has capped the amount of grace he’ll show us. We believe God has run out of patience and run out of grace for us. The truth is, there’s an infinite ocean of grace that awaits those who turn to Jesus.
So, if you’re wrestling… get back in the battle.
There is hope for change! There is grace to meet you! God sees you, he knows you, he loves you. And we’d love to journey with you towards recovery, wholeness, and healing.
If you, or someone you know, are considering self-harm or taking your life, get help immediately. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or go to Beyond Blue.
REFERRAL LIST
MENTAL HEALTH GUIDE FOR GCs
Resources
Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation: https://one80tc.org
Pornography Resources: https://puredesire.org https://fightthenewdrug.org
Compulsive Pornography Use App: https://www.joinfortify.com
Gambling Treatment Clinic: https://sydney.edu.au/brain-mind/patient-services/gambling-treatment-clinic.html