It all starts with recognizing that we have a problem. While there are many ways to look at this the most accurate way to look at it is that when we are in willful sin we are being led by idols. When I lived in Washington state, we were house hunting. It looked like we were going to spend the rest of our life in Spokane, Washington and decided if we were going to stick around, we should put down some roots. We spent many evenings and Saturdays following around our realtor looking for just the right place to plant our family. As we walked through the living room of one of those houses, I noticed a literal idol in the corner. The little statue had a very elaborate set up and fruit set before their god. This is what most of us think about when we discuss idols. However, Paul tells us something of importance in Ephesians:
Ephesians 6:12: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
That statue was much more than lifeless metal and false hope. That statue represented a way of life. Forces of the rulers of this dark age were represented there. When we talk about addiction that is an idol. That is no different than that little Buddha statue. We think somehow that our addiction will bring us hope and salvation. When I hurt if I just drink this, smoke that, inject the other or watch some porn my life will be better. That is the deep lie of Willful sin. But understand the addiction itself is an idol that demands absolute power in your life. We can’t see the real idol sitting there, smiling at us, telling us lies. It is there none the less.
Many develop systems to overcome addiction and try to use science to lead to victory over these all-life consuming issues. There are multiple versions of the twelve-step program, medically assisted treatment and others that seek to break the grip of the idol. It must have been much like the effort to control the demoniac that Jesus dealt with. They tried all of their skills and intelligence to control the demon, but they failed miserably. Idol worship can not be broken naturally. We must fight with Spiritual weapons. Prayer and Bible immersion are key elements of this battle. Victory will not come with casual prayer or simply hearing a verse of Scripture here and there. These idols develop a deep and solid hold on people. Sin owns us and controls us. Think of a common addiction like smoking. On a rainy day if I directed you to go out and stand in the freezing cold in hail or sleet you would call me cruel. Social media would persecute me and likely I would lose my job. However, tobacco says go smoke in those same conditions and we call it right. Those in bondage say, “Yes sir! Happy to do it!” The idol calls the shots. Prayer led by the Holy Spirit will be required to break the power. In many cases, and I am coming to believe in most cases that victory will require not only prayer but also fasting. The battle is getting serious, yet few show up at prayer meetings any more. We have become spiritually lazy. Rarely do churches call for us to fast. They almost all give some lip service to prayer and Bible study. I have attended church services where I am confident that the preacher had not picked up his Bible that week until it was time to preach. This half-hearted attempt at Spiritualty will not break the power of these idols. My friends it is time to get serious about Spiritual matters.
