Breaking Free

The following is a summary of Ed Welch’s presentation, “Addiction, Temptation & Voluntary Slavery.” Ed Welch is a counselor and faculty member at CCEF and professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. Ed is the author of numerous books, including Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave.

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We often view the Bible as the Word of God speaking to “normal individuals.” And yet, where does that leave those struggling with addictions, and sins stigmatized as abnormal? Why do we sometimes feel the Bible is silent for individuals struggling with addictions? The key for helping professionals is to recognize that, that though the Bible often feels irrelevant to those in the midst of addictions, we can walk beside our clients in this crisis and show that the Scripture is indeed alive and relevant.

While the Bible doesn’t use terms like “addiction” it does speak of the insidious nature of sin and talks in terms of “slavery.” Scriptures that speak of the nature and forms of idolatry, for instance, are passages that can truly come alive for an addict.

We must accommodate our clients. Through accommodation, we recognize that we have common struggles and common needs. There can be a realization that the person struggling with addiction is not so abnormal and unique after all.

There can be difficulty understanding the language of sin and how relates to addictions. The addiction that is held on to is a lie, a lie that we have voluntarily enslaved ourselves to. We believe these lies can offer happiness and contentment. The lie becomes our refuge – where we run when we feel lonely, isolated, depressed.

The following are some Biblical strategies that we can use with our clients after they understand how the lies of sin are what has created their addiction.

1. Confession- Speak the truth to God about the lies that have been believed. Continue to confess and you will see that the lie loses power.
2. Use stories of the Bible- Stories are a powerful means of communication. The stories in the Bible can help clients see more clearly how the God of the Bible can free them from addictions. We can see throughout Scripture, both Old and New Testament, that we are a treasonous and adulterous people and yet God continues to offer forgiveness and life. He forgives sins to show his own glory (scripture reference here). These stories always eventually lead to the cross.
3. Prayer- Pray for Scripture to be true in our lives. Pray that we would thirst and desire God above all else (Psalm 63). Or, as Augustine said “Your Word struck into my heart and from that moment I loved you.”

Finally, we can encourage our clients that Christ will satisfy in a deeper and more meaningful way than the lies of addiction ever will. The satisfaction that Christ will bring will be different and we must walk with them and help them recognize the Lord’s working power. The Cross, can give power to fight the lies as we engage in battle with the God of the resurrection.

Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death,
and with Sheol we have an agreement,
when the overwhelming whip passes through
it will not come to us,
for we have made lies our refuge,
and in falsehood we have taken shelter”;
therefore thus says the Lord GOD,
“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion,
a stone, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:
‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’” (Isaiah 28:15-16)