Addictions
Due to the significant mental, emotional, and physical stress endured during one’s career in the fire service, many firefighters may turn to things such as alcohol, drugs, sex, and gambling to help them cope. Repeated engagement with these types of behaviors often leads to addiction. Whereas our modern culture often labels such addictions as diseases, the Bible provides a different answer. That answer is ultimately found in the rightful worship of God.
Isaiah 55:1–9 helpfully addresses the issue of misplaced worship, which is the core problem faced by addicts. Isaiah 55:1–2 states, “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance.”
In this passage, we learn that the problem of misplaced worship is not just a problem that addicts face. It is a problem we all face in life. For the nation of Israel—the people to whom this passage was written—their problem was that they were looking for satisfaction in all the wrong places. Metaphorically, they were spending money for things that could not provide for their ultimate need. They had allowed things which were not God to take the place of God in their lives. Much like those who struggle with addictions, they were deceived into believing the lie that temporal things, just like drugs, alcohol, and sex, could satisfy the longings of their souls. In the final assessment, God declared that they were wasting their resources. Nothing outside of Him could provide them with the satisfaction they desperately wanted in life.
Therefore, they were called to return to the Lord in repentance and faith. Isaiah 55:6–9 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” While many in the nation of Israel may have believed that they were too sinful to be forgiven by God, God revealed that His ways are far higher than man’s. He will freely forgive those who turn away from their sinful lifestyles and trust in Him for their ultimate satisfaction and joy. He is compassionate and loving and will abundantly pardon those who turn to Him in faith.
If you are struggling with addiction, maybe you feel that there is no hope for you. You believe that you are too sinful to be rescued from the addictive behaviors you are engaged in. You feel like there is no way of escape. You believe that God may not be willing to forgive you. By God’s grace, there is good news for you! Thankfully, God’s ways are much higher than our ways. He is compassionate towards all who call on Him. Through faith in Jesus Christ, not only will you receive forgiveness for your sins, but you will also be freed from the power of sin that you are currently battling in life (John 8:34–36; Romans 6). Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Through faith in Jesus, you can overcome your addiction. Along with everyone who trusts in Him for salvation, you can “consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11). There is hope for you in Jesus Christ!
For Personal Study:
Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave by Ed Welch The Heart of Addiction by Mark E. Shaw