Addiction
Posted by: forthright <forthright@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross
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C'mon, 'fess up: what are you addicted to?
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COLUMN: Understanding the Times
Addiction
by Emmett Smith
We hear a lot these days about addiction. An
addict, according to one dictionary, is one who is
"a slave to a habit or vice, especially a drug."/1
This definition pretty well sums up the idea,
doesn't it? Thus, people are referred to as
addicted to gambling, sex, and other behaviors in
addition to substance abuses. This slavery to
harmful behavior patterns is certainly not a novel
concept. Jesus addressed this very subject in his
discussion with the Jews, after they protested His
statement that the truth would make them free.
"Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin'" (John
8:34, ESV).
The Jews didn't like to think that they were in
bondage to anyone. They were Abraham's seed! But
Jesus reminded them that bondage to sin is a
universal problem. Unfortunately, even though the
text says that they "believed on him" (cf. John
12:42), it also says they sought to kill Him
because His word had no place in them. It sounds
as if they were determined to die in their sins by
rejecting mankind's only possible remedy. And so
it is with many today.
However, there's really no choice as to whether
we'll be slaves. We simply must choose one of two
masters (Romans 6:16ff).
In 1 Corinthians 16:15,16 (KJV), the Apostle Paul
wrote, "I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the
house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of
Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to
the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit
yourselves unto such, and to every one that
helpeth with us, and laboureth."
Brother Paul simply wanted the Corinthians to
develop good addictions rather than evil ones.
What are you addicted to?
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1(c) Larousse plc. All rights reserved.
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