Aftershock - Why Does He Do What He Does?Sample

 A Biblical Perspective 

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) offers a biblical perspective on addiction: “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (emphasis added).

Although the Bible doesn’t use the modern-day term addiction, God has much to say about entangling and addictive behaviors. Addiction to alcohol is probably the best example. In the Jewish culture, drinking wine was a common practice at social events. Wine was also used for medicinal purposes and had other practical applications in daily life. In every case, the potential for using it to excess was always present.

As a result, there are numerous places throughout the Bible where the Lord clearly confronts excessive use of and dependency on alcohol (see, for instance, Proverbs 20:1; 1 Timothy 3:3, 8; and Titus 1:7; 2:3). Paul admonishes us not to overindulge and get drunk with wine, which will ruin us, but rather to be filled with God’s Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). We can safely assume that this principle applies to anything that is harmful to people and destructive to their relationship with God, including inappropriate drug use, gluttony, inappropriate sexual activity, and pornography.

When people become addicted, they compulsively or habitually focus on a substance or behavior that eventually controls them. This is a form of idolatry. The Lord speaks plainly in the Ten Commandments against idolatry and says that we are to have no other gods besides Him (Exodus 20:3-4).

The Bible also instructs husbands and wives to remain faithful and keep the marriage bed healthy, active, and “undefiled” (1 Corinthians 7:5; Hebrews 13:4). Marriage should “be honored by all” (Hebrews 13:4, NIV), and pornography use does just the opposite.

Next devotional in Aftershock series: Making Decisions and Preparing for Action.

Previous devotional in Aftershock series: Take Care of Yourself.

For more help, visit focusonthefamily.com/tag/pornography; FocusontheFamily.com/Aftershock; or you can call the ministry’s Counseling Department for a free consultation at 855-771-HELP (4357).