Whan The Habit Harms

Feature 2 – March 2022 — Grace & Truth Magazine

When The Habit Harms

It is probably true to say that all human beings are creatures of habit. Many habits, in themselves, are completely harmless. On getting out of bed in the morning a person may follow a particular routine as certain activities have to be completed. The carrying out of those actions becomes a matter of habit.

An addiction is much more than a habit. When the word “addiction” is used, our first thought may be of drug addicts. They probably began by experimenting with drugs, and when they acquired a liking for the substance they went back for more or for something with greater effect. The craving within took hold of them, and a harmful habit developed, which we call an “addiction.” However, we must not limit our thoughts to drugs, as there are many other forms of addiction.

It might be helpful to define the term “addiction.” The Merriam-Webster online dictionary says it is “a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity, having harmful physical, psychological or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms … upon withdrawal or abstinence.” This definition is a useful starting point in approaching the subject, but it probably needs explaining.

It begins by using the word “compulsive,” which refers to a compelling power. It may be an irresistible desire for a substance, such as drugs, or for an activity, perhaps of a sexual nature. According to the definition, the experience becomes “habit-forming” in a harmful way.

The “well-defined symptoms” depend, of course, upon the nature of the addiction. They manifest themselves when the addicted person withdraws or abstains from the experience. Although the addiction is harmful, it continues because the person finds it has become an essential source of pleasure, which they cannot resist.

Smoking
Smoking is one form of addiction. Many countries nowadays recognize that nicotine is a harmful substance, with smoking directly related to lung cancer. For this reason, cigarette companies are often legally obliged to print unmistakable health warnings on their packets. In some countries cigarette packets can no longer be displayed in shops but are kept in locked cabinets. A person wishing to purchase a pack of cigarettes will not be able to see the product in advance but will have to ask a shop worker for what he wants. If the customer is younger, he may have to prove his age.

Lung cancer is a distressing illness which can cause considerable suffering, as the victim coughs painfully and struggles to breathe. Disease caused by smoking is preventable. For this reason governments take the measures we have already considered to discourage the purchase of cigarettes. Since treating patients for smoking-related illnesses costs a large amount of money, many governments keep applying additional taxes to the price of cigarettes. The hope is that this will discourage people from purchasing them.

One would have thought that the bold words “HEALTH WARNING” displayed on cigarette packs would scare people from smoking. The warning ought to serve as a deterrent. Who would want to continue smoking when the words on a packet say, “Smoking can damage your health” or, “Smoking kills”? The reason people continue to smoke is because a habit which they cannot break has been formed. The power of reason alone is not strong enough to make them give it up.

For the Christian there is another point to consider. The believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Since my body belongs to Him I ought to seek to maintain it in good physical health. Smoking will certainly not provide a person with any health benefits!

Drink And Drugs
Although smoking is not mentioned in the Word of God, there are a number of warnings relating to alcohol – especially in the book of Proverbs. “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red … at the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder” (Prov. 23:31-32 KJV). This particular section of Proverbs graphically describes the effects of drunkenness and connects much drinking with misery and woe (v.29). Another verse states, “It is not for kings to drink wine” (31:4). Certain Bible characters overindulged and brought shame upon themselves.

Some will quickly point out that the Bible does not forbid the consumption of alcohol and will tell you that Jesus drank wine. In answer we would reply that in Bible times water lacked the purification techniques known today and was often unfit to drink. Although we read of many people drinking wine in the Bible, we also read of the Rechabites who refused it and were commended for their abstinence, in relation to obeying their father (Jer. 35).

Many believers have regarded alcohol as one of those things which may cause another person to stumble. You may be able to control how much you consume, but a weaker person seeing you drink may think consuming alcohol is acceptable, develop a “taste” for it, and thus become addicted. Believers who abstain have often applied the principle found in Romans 14:21, reasoning that if something might be harmful to a fellow-believer or to a child, they won’t do it.

Just as drunkenness has brought sorrow to many families, so has drug abuse. Such an addiction may have begun in a small way when a young person was encouraged to experiment with a drug. In order to look “cool” in front of their friends, they agreed. Initially the experience seemed positive and the feelings produced encouraged the experimenter to return for more. Soon what felt pleasurable became necessary as the individual was overpowered by inner cravings that were too strong to resist. Feeling low and in need of a lift, a drug-user satisfies his longings by taking more. Money, then, disappears at an alarming speed to fund the addiction, bringing additional problems into his life.

Other Dangerous Addictions
Having considered substances, we must give some attention to addictive thoughts and practices. For example, gambling is addictive. In order to get rich quickly and easily, a raffle or lottery ticket might be purchased in the hope that this ticket will be the so-called “lucky one.” Or, money may be put down to bet that a certain horse will win a race, or a particular team will win a match. Winning some money encourages the individual to repeat the experience. Even if he is unsuccessful, there is always the hope that next time will produce the “luck” that is sought. Very soon a consuming habit is formed, money disappears and debts mount up. A believer should not engage in any form of gambling but should trust in the Lord at all times. Gambling is an irresponsible habit that can have disastrous consequences.

The addictions considered already may be fairly obvious, but some remain hidden from view as they exist in the mind. It is important to warn about addictions of a sexual kind. The first look at a picture of a naked or scantily-clad figure can create a desire for more of the same, and soon an uncontrollable habit can be formed. With the advent of the internet and smart phones, it is all too easy to access pornography and to engage in online activities which are clearly wrong according to Scripture. Paul cautioned Timothy, “Keep thyself pure” (1 Tim. 5:22). We need this exhortation more than ever today.

There is a constant battle between “the flesh” and “the Spirit,” which are “contrary the one to the other” (Gal. 5:17). If we are to be kept safe we must be “led of the Spirit” (v.18). God’s intention is that His people should be holy. Like Hagar, we ought to be aware at all times that “Thou God seest me” (Gen. 16:13). However, we must remember that the Lord can see not only all our actions but He also knows all our thoughts. Are those actions and thoughts pleasing to Him?

It is important to be honest before the Lord. May we take David’s words and make them part of our prayers: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts” (Ps. 139:23).

Taking Action
Within each believer there is a sinful nature which must be mortified, or put to death (Rom. 8:13). If we feed that old nature by giving in to sinful habits and practices, we will bring ruin and trouble into our lives. We need the help of the Holy Spirit more than anything.

Sometimes an addiction becomes so serious that expert help is needed. Thankfully, if we repent of sin we can be cleansed, for “there is forgiveness with Thee” (Ps. 130:4). Of course, it is better to avoid the addiction in the first place, by heeding the numerous warnings found in the Word of God.

We have been thinking of addictions which are so powerful that they take over a person’s life. Hobbies and pastimes have their place, but we need to guard against them taking on too much importance and occupying us more than is necessary. To avoid the pitfalls we have looked at, we need to keep “looking unto Jesus” (Heb. 12:2). Victory is found only in Him!

By Martin Girard