The Journey from Idolatry to Freedom
The Bible warns us about idolatry. God’s word has cautioned us not to follow Idols. Idolatry is the worship of someone or something other than God as though it were a god. It is the root problem behind addictive and destructive behaviors. Humans are born natural worshipers, and when we select enslaving behaviors as our worship, the perfect order of God in our lives is disrupted. The divine order is to worship God only and follow His commandments. When we find ourselves following other things such as intoxicating substances through addictions we have rebelled against God, therefore, stepping into evil ways that result in destruction.
“It shall come about if you ever forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.“ (Deut. 8:19)
We can further study in the first chapter of the book of Romans what takes place in the heart of an idolatrous person.
“professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of a corruptible man and of bird's and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.” (Romans 1:22-23).
The pride of man in rebellion to God rejects his order. While displaying irreverence to him they adopt their own wisdom resulting in foolishness. They exchange the glory of the incorruptible God of the cosmos for a finite corruptible man or figurine. The Bible instructs us to repent of the wicked position of man's heart of rebellion as a result of the fall.
Continuing this thought man tries to control his own decisions by his ostensible wisdom. This will surely fail without God. Augustine says: “I was held before conversion not with an iron chain but with the obstinacy of my own will.” Considering our addictions, we are enslaved by our own desires as we pursue what we thought to be the answers to the needs in our lives. let's take a look at what James says about this:
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it's fully grown, brings forth death.” (James 1;14-15).
This scripture points out that it’s our sinful desires that bring forth idolatry, which provokes irreverence for God. Idolatry is the reflection of our life in addiction.
Upon further survey of this scripture, we understand that we need God in our lives in order to battle against addiction. James writes that everything good comes from God, he says:
“do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:16-17).
Immediately upon positioning ourselves to align with God and his truth, our struggles can be handled by putting off in faith ungodly habits such as addictions.
Friends the hope is in God when battling addictions. Addictions start out as a negative, then by His grace God transitions them into a blessing! The good news springing from our addictions is that we now know our problem. This problem of sin can be presented to God in confession and repentance, and by His grace to be forgiven and transformed to new life.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
As we turn to God and revere him, he in turn removes our idols, because he loves us and forgives us.
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His loving kindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the lord has compassion on those who fear Him. (Ps 103:11-13).
We receive the Lord's compassion which is the highest in all the universe through our confession and repentance leading to reverence for God.
“But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.” (Ps 103:17-18)
In faith and reverence towards our God, we will walk in his blessings. This walk secures his image bearers in his care, therefore receiving the benefit of sobriety, but much more, A New Life!
“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)