Hearts Of Darkness

Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker and beer (strong drink) is a brawler,and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Step #1
We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction -- that our lives had become unmanageable.

I've been looking at a new curriculum addressing the issue of addiction, that the state is recommending to be taught at treatment facilities. I confess to you that I do possess a bias as to the view of addiction. Some would consider me to backwards in my belief. Some would say that my belief cannot be measured. This new curriculum never once addresses the real problem of addiction. It teaches all about the mechanics of how the brain and the body processes alcohol. Factors that "may" lead to addiction, such as environment, genetics and social interaction and family dynamics. It speaks about neurotransmitters and brain activity. There is a lot of seemingly important information concerning the nature of addition. But never once does it look inside the individual and ask the question..."Why?" Why does a person use. What is the motivating factor in the behavior. 

To me, it is a simple answer to a difficult question. Sin. 
We have a broken relationship with Jesus. Not having that connection puts us in a lifestyle of being directed by and under the influence of our own dark heart.
Jeremiah 17:9 reads: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Who can know it? All addiction.......begins with a very simple thing. A choice is made. A choice made that pushes aside any inkling of what is right and what should be done, in order to "have it's way."  I want what I want, and I want it right now.  There may be a myriad of reasons why someone uses. Everything from peer pressure and the need to be accepted, to simply being curious and wanting to find out what it was like. But the fact is, our choices came from a heart that rejected the desire of Christ. And thus the journey into deeper darkness began.

Some have railed against this idea that we are born "sinners" and that our hearts are bent toward rebellion against anything to do with God. They bring up a very interesting argument. "So why isn't everyone addicted when they first drink or use? Why do some never continue down that slippery slope to self induced destruction? You know....I don't really have an answer for that. Why aren't we all psychopathic killers and homicidal maniacs? I just believe that behind every bad choice that leads us into bad situations, sin is the driving force. To me, how sin is defined is found in Genesis 3. In the conversation between the serpent and the woman, the serpent presents his case of why God is holding out on Adam and Eve. "God knows that when you eat the fruit, your eyes will be opened and you will Be like God! Be like God? If I am like God---- Then I don't need God. The subtle inference in the serpents message was that God was holding out on the couple. He wasn't telling them the whole truth and if they wanted to know and understand it...then eat the fruit. In our own dark hearts, we have carried the message that we don't need God......we are our own "god". Such is the driving influence behind all sin....behind all addiction. A choice made outside and away from God. A choice driven by fleshly appetite and not under the direction of His Holy Spirit.

Once the choice was made, then all manner of things began to happen.
That one choice began to affect our physical being, as damage was done to our body.
The psychology of addiction began to kick in and literally the addiction became almost like a living being sucking the life out of the one who is using. The addiction told the individual where to go..what to do.....demanding that money be spent for the drug of choice. If money wasn't available, then the addiction demanded that morals be cast aside and what ever needed to be done to procure the drug ....do it. Stealing from family and friends. Engaging in sex in order to fulfill the dark demands of a heart that has broken ties with Jesus. All the while streaming a steady diet of lies to our hearts and our minds. 
II Timothy 3:13 reads: But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. If anything ever defined the lifestyle of addiction, it is this verse from II Timothy 3, especially the part about "being deceived."  Such is the nature of addiction. It keeps the host completely in the dark, all the while making the individual feel like they are in control of the situation.  This is my take on what drives addition. A heart of darkness that exists apart from the love, grace,and mercy that only Jesus can provide. He is the healer.

But what do I know.....
I'm just a religious fanatic.
I'm just a backwards thinking individual.
Oh well....

God on you...
mb