The Battle With Idols
“Living in ignorance of your idols is the primary reason you continue to struggle with particular sins.” (Gospel Treason by Brad Bigney)
Upon reading this quote, I’ve come to the realization that problems such as addiction stem from being in bondage to our idols. Many people are blinded because of the smokescreen of idolatry. The Scriptures confirm that we are blinded by idolatry.
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14
This scripture describes a person in darkness, while not fully understanding their rebellious irreverence towards God. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Trusting in idols is disobedience to God. To trust in an idol is to trust in your own understanding (which focuses on idolatry often leading to addiction.)
Gregory Madison, who co-authored with me on a book titled “Biblical Quotes That Expose Addiction”, states, “It is a mystery why we are drawn into addiction, and for the most part, we are attempting to serve our inner self by satisfying our pleasures in the pursuit of our idols. In doing so we irreverently reject the truth of God’s Word.” Reverence can be compared to holding deep respect towards the object of our desire, while irreverence is defined by what or whom we don’t show respect for.
In his previous books, Gregory states that irreverence explains and defines addiction more accurately. After giving some thought, we find ourselves understanding the principle of book-ending our worldviews; we put our trust in ourselves, while rejecting the truth in God. This creates irreverence for the truth in God and leads to unbridled reliance on serving our many idols and ultimately leads us to addiction and despair.
“This is no exaggeration, since every sin implies the effrontery of supposedly knowing better than God, and the corruption of loving evil more than good.” (Kidner).
Only by being reverent towards the Lord, can we experience freedom from the despair of destructive and satanic irreverence. Furthermore, in this we avoid being trapped by our self-absorbed lifestyle of addiction. When we fear God, we demonstrate irreverence for our idols. Fearing the Lord means to be reverent or in awe of His holiness; to honor Him as the God of great glory, majesty, purity, and power. True reverence of the Lord causes believers to place their faith and trust in Him alone for salvation. If we truly fear the Lord, we will obey His commands, live according to His Word, say no to sin (including addiction) and say yes to God. When we surrender to God’s truth, we will acquire wisdom. And through His wisdom, we grow to detest our idols. And when we reject our idols, we are free from the bondage of addiction.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7
Only through God’s spiritual strength can we combat this bondage of the will. We need to be soaked in the truth of God's Word. God has already established the truth, it is our responsibility to drink from His fountain. God’s Word affirms that the solution to addiction is in the living God!
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The power of the Holy Spirit is available through the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God.) Without God’s grace through His Word, we are selling ourselves into captivity by our sin of addiction. The bondage of addiction, deprives us of the delight of the Lord. We cannot be held in slavery while cleaving to Christ. If you listen to the voice of Christ, which is echoed through His Word, and believe with all your heart and soul, then your captivity shall end.
I invite you to reflect on the richness of His Word as well as our testimonies that are voiced at the TTR New Life Recovery Meeting on how our lives have been transformed through the Holy Spirit. As Richard Baxter states; “There is no cure for the earthly mind.” Through His Word, our deceptive worldliness will vanish, therefore extinguishing our idols. God’s Word is stronger than any addiction can be. Through fellowship with others at TTR meetings, using the strength of the gospel, we present quotes of wisdom as a reminder. I hope the principles in God’s Word serve to edify you for your journey in this life to resist the devil in our war against addiction and experience life abundantly in Christ.
“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12