THE SLAVERY OF ADDICTION

Anyone who has lived in addiction knows that their life’s focus was on the thing they sought after to satisfy their cravings.  We were in bondage and slaves to our desires.  Even though we did as we wanted, when we wanted, life was painful.  The thing we once pursued to give us pleasure, ultimately dominated us.  Darkness and chaos in life that we never could have imagined became our reality.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  (Galatians 5:1 NIV)

In our despair we admitted that we were powerless over our dependency and began to look around for freedom from the ugliness of daily life.  In our quest for freedom, we came to believe that there must be a power greater that ourselves that could restore us to sanity. Jesus said He was sent to earth for that very reason.

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.  (Luke 4:18-19 NIV)

When a person is free, they can come and go as they please.  A slave cannot.  A slave must be obedient to his or her master, otherwise the slave lives in fear of what the master might do to them.  In the same way, persons living in addiction are bound by the desperation of what they are craving.  Thankfully, Jesus came to set slaves free. 

If we turn away from whatever is holding us in captivity, and surrender our lives including our cravings to God,we will have hope and freedom today.  All power in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus.  He is the One who purchased our freedom from every shackle that would seek to keep us in bondage.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Thank You for coming to earth to purchase my freedom from sin.  Help me to stand firm in Your truth and no longer allow the bondage of sin to make me a slave.  Amen