When you hear the word “addiction,” what comes to your mind? Drugs? Alcohol? Probably addiction in its more visual state. We don’t usually think of the person who is addicted to chocolate. Or the lady that can’t stop buying beauty products because she is consumed with her outward appearance. Or the man that is so involved with video games that he spends more time playing than tending to the needs of his family. Or that person who is so glued to their device that they can’t even look up at someone when they are spoken to. Or that person who is so obsessed with their favorite sport that they don’t have time to sit at the feet of Jesus. These activities are not necessarily sinful in themselves, but they can become spiritually dangerous when they begin to rule our hearts. Our society is programming us to be addicts.

The challenge for us as disciples of Christ and ministry leaders is to determine which addictions tempt us the most. What dominates our life other than Jesus?

An addiction is a bondage of the heart and body to something or someone, typically for the purpose of pleasure, comfort, or escape to something other than Christ.

Certainly, we see all throughout Scripture clear commands from God. There are those vices that most Christ followers would view as egregious or blatant sins, but there are also grey areas.

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12

What does the Bible say about smartphones, TV, sports watching, shopping, hunting, gaming, or social media? Absolutely nothing! But it is very clear from Scripture that the overwhelming source of our pleasure should be our relationship with Jesus.

With that in mind, here are some Biblical and practical ways to overcome addiction as a believer:

1. Admit that you’re addicted.

One of the biggest reasons people fail to overcome addiction in their lives is because they do not recognize their enslavement for what it is: sin. Instead, we often rationalize or justify our sin and, in so doing, quench the voice of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Dear believer, we must not let anything stand in the way of making Christ our one pursuit. Bring your heart of bondage to Jesus and lay it down at His feet.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

We must also admit that we need God’s help desperately. Only God can break the chains of addiction in our lives. Humility is remembering that without Him we can do nothing, yes, even if we are church leaders. Consider what Jesus said:

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

2. Be consumed with Christ.

As strange as it may seem, the reason we are so prone to be addicted to different vices is because we were always meant to be consumed in worshipping Someone. We were created to be consumed with the glory of our Creator. The truth of the matter is that a life devoted to the glory of Christ will experience genuine, lasting pleasure that this world can never produce.

”Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

So, what does a person who is consumed with Jesus look like?

They love Him with all of their heart.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37

You know you love Jesus when you crave Him–when your mind wanders to thinking about Him throughout the day when there is nothing else to consume your thoughts. Do you crave Jesus? A person who loves ice cream will leave their house or go to extremes to satisfy their sweet tooth. There is no denying that that person loves ice cream. In the same way, we know we are growing in our love for Christ when we go to extremes to spend time worshipping Him and sitting at His feet.

They live the way Jesus lived.

“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16

Model your life after the works and ways of Jesus Christ in the Gospels. Let Him be your primary role model.

3. Surround yourself with accountability.

I am convinced that one of the primary reasons many Christians do not overcome their addictions is because they refuse to allow other Christians to help restore them and bear their burdens, as it says in Galatians 6.

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” Galatians 6:1-3

Weary Christian, let godly saints help you! Open the doors of your heart to a mature believer who will point you to Christ, exhort you, and rebuke you when necessary. It will make all the difference. You were never meant to run the Christian race alone.

What addictions are you wrestling with today? There is hope to overcome them. If you’ve tried 89 times in your flesh and failed to overcome them, rise up again and try one more time. You can have the victory in Jesus Christ! Remember the words of Paul:

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!” Philippians 4:13