“Addiction”

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Is addiction a sin?

Sincerely, Habitually Curious

It really depends on what the addiction is. Some addictions are good; some addictions are bad. The dictionary gives two basic definitions for the word ‘addicted’:

1. physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without adverse effects (i.e. she became addicted to alcohol and diet pills.)
2. enthusiastically devoted to a particular thing or activity (i.e. he’s addicted to computers.)

Normally, we think of addiction in terms of the first definition. Addiction to drugs, alcohol, etc. is always wrong. God says drunkenness or insobriety is always a sin (Rom 13:13).

Using the second definition, we can have both good and bad addictions. I can be ‘enthusiastically devoted’ to reading my Bible, or I could be ‘enthusiastically devoted’ to stealing watches. Here are some examples of good addictions:

1. Praying (1 Thess 5:17).
2. Being hospitable (Rom 12:13).
3. Attending church services (Heb 10:25).
4. Teaching others (Acts 17:2)

There are many positive addictions. The addictions to beware of are the outright sinful ones and the ones that distract us from serving God (2 Tim 2:4). Video games, work, socializing, and other such things are not overtly wrong, but if they distract us from the ultimate purpose of our lives (getting to heaven), then they become wrong. Our lives will be devoted to something – the key is to pick the right things to be addicted to.

Share