In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul said: "I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing." This summarizes the experience of many who fight addictions.  Indeed, addiction is a common human experience. Twenty years ago, addiction meant alcohol or drugs.  Now the literature describing addictions includes sex, gambling, shopping, food, exercise, the internet, anger and work. 

    All human behaviors have a purpose or function.  The function of most addictions is to reduce physical or emotional pain.  Addictions may provide immediate relief, but they cause long term painful consequences.  What addicts fail to realize is that the momentary relief they experience is nothing compared to the massive heartbreak that is awaiting them down the road.  Sometimes, God allows us to experience pain so that we turn to Him and lean on Him.  When you look at what an addiction actually does, it takes a person out of relationship with God when the addict substitutes an object for a relationship with God.  An addiction can be viewed as idolatry because, in essence, it is replacing the most important thing in our life - our relationship with God.  Exodus 20:3 says, "Thou shalt have no other Gods before me."  God made it very clear that we are not to put anything before our relationship with Him. 

    Luke 12:34 says, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  Today, in our fast paced society, it is easy to get caught up with many activities (e.g., school, work, church, sports, clubs, volunteering, children's events, PTA, and a litany of other things). With the increasing demands that society has placed upon us, the stress can be overwhelming.  The mistaken belief that more money, a higher position at work, a bigger house, a better car, or living in a more exclusive zip code causes some people to turn to work to meet their unfulfilled needs.  Others believe that if they just purchase one more item, they will find happiness, but happiness eludes them.  They are all caught in an endless cycle that will continue to give them the same results - emptiness and sorrow.  The only way to achieve true happiness and healing is through Jesus Christ.

    Free-will is an aspect of the human spirit.  The spiritual component does not make us impervious to the extremely powerful forces of biology and environment, but it enables us to make choices that are not completely controlled by them.  It is helpful to know that the Apostle Paul completely identifies with those who are caught in the mire of addictions, destructive compulsive behaviors, and obsessive thoughts.  Paul, like all human beings, struggled with his human nature.  He poignantly wrote: "No matter which way I turn I cannot make myself do right.  I want to, but I can't. When I want to do good, I don't and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway." (Romans 7:18-19, New Living Translation)  Paul described these behaviors as "foolishness" because they result in painful exploitation of self and others.  In stern words, he wrote, "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.  We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another." (Titus 3: 3-4)  Elsewhere, the Bible reminds us of humanity's fallen nature and its potential to nearly trounce free-will: "For a man is slave to whatever has mastered him..."  (2 Peter 2:19)  Biblically, then, we hear about enslavement, a logical sequence of events where addictive behaviors run amok and lead to an out of control life.  The 12-Step model echoes this perspective in Step 1: "We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable."

    In light of this strong Biblical language, it is essential to recognize that the Apostle Paul also preached the amazing news that "there is no condemnation..." for these behaviors (Romans 8:1).  He was not interested in placing blame on those who are struggling, but in compassionately reaching out to them and introducing them to healing through Jesus Christ.  We are not only flesh and bone.  We have a spirit within us that responds to the encouragement and direction of the Scriptures and the still small voice of God speaking within us.  We are loved by a God who offers us redemption.  With these sources of strength, we can choose freedom.  The 12-step model echoes this perspective, particularly in Steps 2 and 3: "We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity," and "We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God..."  In these steps, a decision is made - an act of free will, assisted by a "power greater than ourselves..."