The Wrong Target: Rethinking Our Response to Addiction

Written by Jonathan Criswell

Our personal perspectives can be fickle at times. Just because we have a passionate stance on an issue does not mean we can’t be passionately wrong, although none of us likes to admit it. That’s why, in this article, I’ll lean heavily on Scripture and less on my own personal opinion to explore how we should view addiction as Christ-followers.

It does not take long to scroll through social media and find an argument pertaining to Christian faith and practice. We form camps and go toe-to-toe in debate, even though Jesus instructs that it’s our love for one another — not our intellect on specific subjects — that will show the world we are His disciples (John 13:35).

Admittedly, it is very tempting to weigh in with our theological arguments from behind a screen. But doing so often leads to conflict in the wrong context — and with the wrong people. Everyone has the capacity to misinterpret broad communication that is available to a world-wide audience. Even with the purest intentions, the wrong target can be placed on the wrong person, and innocent people can be deeply hurt in the process.

There is no one too dirty that the blood of Jesus can’t make worthy.

A Biblical Perspective on Addiction

Just as theology is debated, with valid arguments on either side, there are differing views on how we as Christians should approach addiction. Let us consider the following biblical examples:

The woman at the well had five husbands, and the man she was with was not her husband. Yet, Jesus waited for her in the heat of the day, tired and hungry, because she was vitally important to Him and His mission (John 4).
Noah embarrassed himself and his family with intoxication shortly after the flood subsided (Genesis 9:21). Apparently, saving the planet does not exempt us from real struggle. Even righteous people with great accomplishments are capable of falling into the traps of this world.
Samson broke every part of his Nazarite vow because of his proclivity to sexual behavior and his inability to abstain from mood-altering substances (Judges 13–14).
The man at Bethesda struggled for 38 years, unable to move forward in life, yet Jesus saw value in him and chose to perform a miracle (John 5). We really can pick up our mats and walk.
The sinful woman in Luke 7 was defended by Jesus when religious leaders questioned His ability to discern someone’s moral fiber. Instead of placing the target on her, Jesus focused on her gratitude because she had been forgiven of much. Our future matters more to Jesus than our past failures!
Peter, a disciple who rarely left Jesus’ side, returned to his old way of life as a fisherman after becoming discouraged by his misinterpretation of the cross. Still, Jesus chose Peter to be the “rock” on which the Church would be built (Matthew 16:18). The same man who denied Jesus repeatedly became a powerful preacher, and thousands were saved.
The prodigal son wasted his inheritance on “wild living,” yet the father’s heart was to fully restore him rather than focusing on his past rejection of the family and inappropriate behaviors (Luke 15:11–32).
Jesus tried to convince the rich young ruler to let go of his wealth and follow Him, but the man walked away discouraged. He was addicted to his possessions, so much so that he failed to recognize the Savior standing before him (Matthew 19:22).

What God’s holiness demands, His love provides.

Reframing the Christian View of Addiction

There is no shortage of biblical characters and heroes of great faith who, despite their failures and flaws, were used mightily by the Lord. Our faith does not necessarily safeguard us from, or guarantee immunity to, addictive behaviors and sinful patterns. Scripture reminds us that “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1 NIV), and that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). So, how should a Christian view addiction?

Paul eloquently wrote, “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” (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV). We’ve got to get our sights oﬀ the wrong target!

Too often, religious leaders in Jesus’ day directed harsh judgment toward the very people He came to save. They hated the sin, and seemed to hate the sinner too. That is not Christlike. Jesus made it clear that the religious system had gotten some things wrong, and the very people He came to save were the same people targeted by the religious system as outcasts and degenerates.

At the risk of sounding cliché, our view of addiction should mirror the words of Jesus: “Everything is possible for the one who believes” (Mark 9:23 NIV). No one is too far gone for the power of Christ’s love and grace. There is no one too dirty that the blood of Jesus can’t make worthy.

As believers, we must humbly recognize that what God’s holiness demands, His love provides. Even while Jesus was being tortured, He proclaimed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NIV). That act of mercy saved the world once and for all!

Addiction often misplaces the target. The perpetrators end up hurting the people they love the most, while the victims place a great deal of shame and condemnation on those who have hurt them. Hurt people, hurt people.

If the body of Christ could step back and recognize that addiction is more than just a spiritual malfunction — and see the person as God sees them — we could extend the sort of grace required to break the vicious cycle. Captives could be set free! Our target should always point to the enemy of our soul and his evil tactics, not on the person who has fallen into his trap. We should hate the sin that so easily entangles, but love the person God created.

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