Holy Addiction


Years ago, a friend wore a T-shirt that said “Addicted to Space Invaders.” For a while, I was hooked on video games. One of my favorites was “Dr. Mario.” I would spend up to $10/day on that game. That was when most video games still cost only a quarter to play.

One dictionary defines addiction as “relinquishing ourselves to the control of something or someone else.” An addiction usually doesn’t happen immediately. Alcoholics often start with just one drink. If they don’t know how to “hold their liquor," they gradually drink more and more until they cannot control themselves.  


Everybody gets addicted to something. Some may choose drugs, pornography, gambling, food, sports, or watching TV for hours. A few of the latter could be called “news junkies” (or “headline stress disorder” according to a Northwestern University Medical School article). They have an obsession to know the latest current events. 


I’ve heard people declare they have a caffeine addiction. While I often drink coffee, I will occasionally go without it for days to prove to myself that I’m not addicted to the stuff. I’ve also needed to be watchful of spending too much unproductive time online, especially on social media.


Another kind of addiction can be the latest ride at the amusement park. Many people look for an activity to give them an adrenaline rush. Proverbs 21:17 in the Message Bible reads, “You're addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied.”  


Once I heard a pastor point out how people can make themselves hungry for anything. Before Mac Hammond went into the ministry, he developed an addiction to cribbage while serving in the U. S. Air Force. Initially, Mac wasn't interested in the card game. He soon played it regularly with his military buddies.


On the other hand, people can become addicted to spiritual things. 1 Corinthians 16:15 (KJV) says, “Ye know the house of Stephanas...and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” Carman wrote and recorded a song about being “Addicted to Jesus.” Another Christian musician once stated on his website of having a “holy addiction” to minister in the garbage dumps and slums of the third world. Getting high on God results in godly behavior.  


What are you addicted to?


“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:21


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