John 8:34 – Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”
For those in captivity they often do not even really realize that they are in prison. Every day they go about the world as if they are totally free. In arrogance they will question people of faith and make ridiculous observations that seem brilliant to them. After a Freedom Club meeting (Addiction Recovery), a man pulled me aside and said that methamphetamine was only bad because it was not regulated. If the government licensed, tested, and sold it then it would be beneficial to society. By the way similar arguments have been made regarding marijuana and other drugs. With great passion and focus he quoted fictional doctors and others that supported his position. His confidence was incredible. Realizing that he was very high and was not receptive to any contrary information, I invited him to come back so we could discuss it when he was not high. He never did. What I would have told him was that Germany War II era included methamphetamine sold at local stores mixed in chocolate. The famous blitzkrieg was fueled by amphetamines and Adolf Hitler as a very active addict. Even though it was regulated by the government it was still not safe. Those living in the darkness though do not like the light.
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. Matthew 7:6
That young man was firmly behind bars, but the darkness kept him from realizing that truth was waiting for him. He did not want to have his false impression and fake wisdom exposed. As long as he was in the dark, all was well.
Calling sin by other names does not reduce the level of captivity. Yes, it feels nicer to call sin “a mistake” or a “disease “or “just the way they are wired”. But captivity still defines the life of the person trapped in sin.
Our all wise and knowing government has decided to call addiction a disease. While it is fair to admit that addiction has many similarities to disease there is one remarkable and undisputable difference. Nobody and I mean nobody ever sat on the couch in my office and declared, “I love my heart disease, or I love my liver disease.” But I have heard, “I love my addiction of choice.” Those in the captivity of addiction are in love with their prison guards. It would be more honest to say, if we must call it a disease, is that they are suffering with Stockholm syndrome. However, if we are being really honest the reason that it is referred to as a disease is so that government funded agencies can bill the government for care. It is also why those same agencies are not really motivated to help you get well of your addiction. If you get well they cannot bill the government.
