How do I become addicted?
John 8:34Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.”
Romans 6:12Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.
Romans 7:5When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death.
2 Peter 2:19You are a slave to whatever controls you.
Sin, our greatest addiction, is often alluring and attractive, but it offers only short-term pleasure. It is easy to justify giving in “just this once,” because we think we have things under control. But soon we realize that what we have given in to has become a pattern we can’t stop; it is now controlling us.
Matthew 4:1Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.
Acts 5:3Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.”
2 Corinthians 11:3I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.
2 Thessalonians 3:5I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.
Satan is a real and present source of temptation. If we give him the chance, he will lead our desires in directions that are contrary to God’s good will.
Genesis 3:1-7The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.
Matthew 7:9-11“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”
Luke 15:20-24“So he [the prodigal son] returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.”
John 3:16-17“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”
James 1:12-18God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
Satan’s first lie is that God doesn’t have our best interests at heart—that he’s withholding something we desire. That’s the lie the serpent used to tempt Adam and Eve into the first sin, and it’s the lie that leads many of us down the path of addiction. Satan’s second lie is the lie that keeps us trapped in addiction—the lie that God doesn’t truly love us, that we are unworthy, and our only option is to hide from him. That’s the lie that caused Adam and Eve to hide from God in shame. Sometimes, that lie makes us want to blame others to escape our feelings of guilt (Genesis 3:11-13). Satan wants nothing more than for us to doubt God’s goodness and God’s love. But God’s love is relentless—and we cannot hide from his truth. Once we admit we have a problem and that we desire to return to him, he sweeps us into his arms like a loving father. That place of honesty, love, and commitment is where recovery starts. And when we are grounded in that truth—that God knows us completely, loves us anyway, and desires good for us—it’s much harder to be tempted and trapped by Satan’s lies.
