Have you ever read this scripture before,

“For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double edged sword.” (Proverbs 5:3-4)

It appears Solomon has some past experience in this or was close to someone who did. Only someone who’s seen the effects of addiction or known someone close to you who did can truly appreciate how dangerous it is.

Addiction starts out as something enjoyable; a stress reliever. Before you realize it, there’s an overwhelming desire to do something you know you shouldn’t. I was deeply moved after reading an article once about a man who had dealt with an addiction for over 15 years. He talked about how much he didn’t want to do it. He planned not to do it ever again. However, once the ‘moment of desire’ came around again, he felt helpless to stop it.

Let me stop for a second to make sure that we’re all on the same page in reference to the scripture above. Solomon is talking about a particular situation referring to a man who needs to be faithful to his wife and not fall into adultery. While that is an important lesson for all married couples to remember, this scripture can just as easily speak to any addiction that wants to entice you. It’s pleasure lasts for a moment but the bondage lasts a lot longer. Men, women, boys and girls; no one is immune to the threat of having addictions in your life.

What are addictions?
Addictions are things we indulge in and cannot control. Addictions are bondages. Addictions can be good things that have taken control of us. Addictions come in all shapes, forms and sizes.
Addiction to money
Addiction to sex
Addiction to popularity
Addiction to being needed
Addiction to food
Addiction to TV
Addiction to success
Addiction to anger
Addiction to power
Addiction to control
Addiction to need to feel validated
Addiction to feeling wanted
Addiction to alcohol
Addiction to various substances (prescription drugs, illegal drugs)
Addiction to adrenaline

The list could go on and on.

Where do addictions come from?
I honestly believe addictions seldom have to do with the actual thing enslaving the person. There are exceptions to every rule but most of the time the ‘cause’ and the ‘effect’ have little to do with each other.

A young lady that was abused when she was young is now a constant victim as an adult. She lashes out in anger at everyone around her not because she’s really even angry at them. She’s angry because of her innocence lost and feelings of being alone. She’s alone and scare that someone will do it again. She clings to her anger and bitterness in times of weakness.

A boy who’s now a man struggles to overcome pornography. What started out as a way to feel affirmed and desired by the non-judgmental pictures has now become a monster in his life. He fights the urges the way someone would fight alcohol yet there are no AA meetings for him to go to.

Another boy was told that he would never become anything. He’s useless, worthless, fat, too thin, ugly, too short, too tall, too odd, too whatever to ever make anything of himself. Now, as an adult, he’s addicted to money, position, control and power. He’s consumed with proving the negative influences wrong no matter the cost. He’s sacrificed his wife, his kids and even his own health to accomplish this goal. He’s achieved success but he’s also unhappy, alone and desperate for true freedom.

I read in an article once about a man who struggled with lust. In the end he said his issue had nothing to do with what he was actually looking at. He said it was the feeling of being accepted.

If you grew up in a place with only positive voices and role models in your life, consider yourself very fortunate. On the contrary, most have done just the opposite. They’ve been lied on, mistreated, verbally and emotionally abused, physically abused, cheated, misunderstood and misrepresented by those closest to them.

What can I do about them if myself or someone I know is dealing with something?

• Realize the root of the issue.

Just like we discussed above, don’t allow yourself to think so straight forward about things.

Someone’s addiction to alcohol may have nothing to do with the actual manifestation. True, that’s how it manifests itself but if the root is not dealt with, they will only find something else to fill that void.

• Realize that addiction is a spiritual thing.

The reason for the addiction is because at some point in their life, there was a void. No matter how that void came to be, it’s there just the same. In pain and in need, they turned to something that brought them some momentary satisfaction.
That void can only truly be filled by God. Anything else simply won’t fit. It will not fully satisfy. Maybe for a short time it’ll get better. However, eventually the joy and satisfaction will fade.
God is a drug that doesn’t fade. He’s a person who does not leave. He’s a confidence that cannot be shaken. He is the source for true, lasting freedom and satisfaction.

• Don’t be afraid to seek out help.

Many people do not have anyone in their lives which they can truly trust. If you’re like this don’t give up. You have an untold treasure chest of help on the internet. There are support groups and people out there who have been or are going through the very same thing. Find support and encouragement. Don’t go through this alone.

• Realize the ultimate help and satisfaction you need comes from God.

You need a lot of Him and His Word in your life to renew your mind and set you on the right track. If you’re dealing with something, you can’t expect one verse a day to be enough spiritual food to last you 24 hours. The Word of God is food for your spirit. You need as much of it as you can. If you were in Iraq, do you think you would be eating a few crackers everyday. NO! You would be eating every time could in order to keep your strength up so you would be prepared for the next possible battle.

• Take the advice of Solomon.

Now that we’ve discussed this further, let’s end this with reading what Solomon had to say about the subject. There’s a reason why he’s known as the wisest man to ever live. His words, which were inspired by the Holy Spirit, can inspire and strengthen you today.

Proverbs 3:3-11 (New Living Translation)

3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.