Scripture Reading: Psalms 119:9-16
Addicted to Sin
Intro.
1. Addiction: “Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance”; “the condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something.”
2. Modern medicine, psychiatry, psychology, etc. have convinced us that people with addictions are somehow not accountable for their actions; they are victims of their addiction.
a. “Compulsive” suggests it is beyond one’s ability to control; not so.
b. Every day people with OCDs are learning techniques to control and overcome their compulsive disorders. (TV show “Obsessed”)
c. Careful: When sinful conduct is defined as an addiction it tends to remove the guilt and shame of the compulsive sin (addicts are not viewed at sinners), replacing it with a “victim” mentality and approach to the problem. (cf. the compulsive/serial murderer?)
d. At some point along the line, the addictive behavior was chosen: Alcohol, drugs, sex, pornography, gambling, lying, etc.
3. Sin can be addicting (living in sin, walking in darkness).
a. Addicted to sin (cannot cease, incessant, 2 Pet 2:14: loves it and practices it), Eph 2:3.
b. Sin’s enticement and momentary pleasures can indeed consume a person, Heb 11:25; Jas 1:14.
4. Sin repeated over and over:
a. Sears the conscience (1 Tim 4:1-2);
b. Hardens the heart (Heb 3:12-13); and
c. Can make repentance “impossible” (Heb 6:4-6).
5. Addiction to sin can be overcome in Jesus Christ! 1 Jno 4:4; Rom 8:37; Heb 4:12
I. THE PROBLEM: ADDICTED TO SIN, Rom 3:15-18 (Isa 59:7).
A. Sin, Left Unattended, Grows Worse and Worse, 2 Tim 3:13.
B. Sin’s Addiction: Eyes that are Set on Sin, 2 Pet 2:14; 1 Jno 2:16.
1. Lust of the flesh (sensual satisfaction); immediate gratification.
2. Lust of the eye (covetousness), 2 Pet 2:14. Heart trained in sin.
3. Pride of life (self-exaltation); Humility is crucial to overcoming sin.
C. Ruled by Sin (slave to it), Rom 6:6, 12; 2 Pet 2:19.
1. Does not mean we are forced to sin or that we are not accountable for our sins; it means that when we choose to sin we are enslaved to it; promising freedom it produces captivity!
a. cf. Alcohol and drugs: Promise “escape” – Bondage.
b. cf. Gambling: Promises wealth (no problems) – Poverty.
c. cf. Pornography: Promises fulfillment – Emptiness and moral corruption.
II. THE SOLUTION: BECOME ADDICTED TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, 1 Jno 2:28-29; 3:7-9.
A. Develop a Heart Given to Doing God’s Will, Gal 2:20.
B. How Sin’s Addiction can be Broken:
1. Do not let sin rule over you, Rom 6:6-7, 11-14.
-Put it to death in your life, Col 3:5-7.
2. Yield up yourself to obedience, not to sin, Rom 6:15-18.
3. Be alert to the dangers of sin, Rom 13:11.
-Resist temptations and use way of escape, 1 Cor 10:13.
4. Deliberately choose to stop sinning, Rom 13:12-13.
a. Repent of all your unforgiven sins (2 Cor 12:21).
5. Put on the Lord in your life, Rom 13:14.
a. Make no provision for the (flesh) addicting activity.
b. Replace the evil with good, Rom 12:21, 2.
c. Self-control (1 Cor 9:27; 2 Pet 1:5-6). Mind over body
d. Prayer, Phil 4:6-7.
6. Trust God to work in your life by obeying Him, Phil 2:12-13.
C. Establish an Addiction to Righteousness, Phil 4:8.
1. Be persuaded by the love of God, Rom 8:38-39.
2. Diligently guard your heart, Prov 4:23.
3. Trust the Lord with all your heart, Prov 3:5-8.
Conclusion
1. Sin is not forced upon us; sin is not inherited from Adam and our ancestors (Ezek 18:20).
2. We can each choose to refuse sin and to obey righteousness.
3. Choose whom you will serve: Sin leading to death, or obedience leading to righteousness, Josh 24:15 (Rom 6:16).