Spokane Christian Counseling Logo

  • CounselorsFind out more about our counselors
  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • Individual Counseling
      • Children & teens Counseling
      • ADHD
      • Aging and Geriatric Issues
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Chemical Dependency
      • Coaching
      • Codependency
      • Depression
      • Domestic Violence
      • Eating Disorders
      • Grief Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Men’s Issues
      • Neglect and Abandonment Issues
      • OCD
      • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
      • Professional Development
      • Relationship Issues
      • Sex And Porn Addiction
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Trauma
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Couples Counseling
      • Children & teens Counseling
      • Family Counseling
    • Group CounselingBenefit from the support of others
      • All Counseling Groups
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Marriage Counseling
  • LocationsWe have offices at various locations
    • Spokane Christian CounselingNorth Spokane
    • Spokane Office OutsideSpokane
    • Spokane ValleySpokane Valley
    •  1Online Counseling
  • CareerJoin our team of Christian Counselors
  • (509) 209-8961Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

What is at the Heart of Addictive Behavior?

Spokane Christian Counseling
https://spokanechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/what-is-at-the-heart-of-addictive-behavior-5.jpg 1920 1288
https://spokanechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/spokane-13-scaled.jpg
https://spokanechristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cropped-Spokane-Open-Horizontal-HiRes.png
705 West 7th Avenue
SPOKANE, WA 99204
United States
705 West 7th Avenue
SPOKANE, WA 99204
United States
Photo of Karyn George

Karyn George

Aug
2024
02

What is at the Heart of Addictive Behavior?

Karyn George

Chemical DependencyIndividual CounselingMen's IssuesWomen’s Issues

Addictive behavior can be described as a pattern of thoughts and behaviors that emerges in a person when they interact with something that they desire and leads to a cycle that includes a preoccupation with the object of addiction, cravings that make it difficult to resist, followed by an overriding sense of shame.

What is at the Heart of Addictive Behavior? 2Addiction can be to substances (alcohol or drugs), pornography, disorderly eating, shopping, gambling, shoplifting, or any other desire that grips the human heart and takes control over a person’s ability to function without it.

While the world calls addictive behavior a disease or the result of a genetic predisposition or mental health disorder, the Bible uses less popular terms: sin, and, more specifically, the sin of idolatry. While Scripture may not say anything about addiction specifically, it has a lot to say about idolatry, worship, respecting and stewarding our bodies, lust, sexual immorality, self-control, a sound mind, moderation, and focusing on things that are pure and wholesome.

Like us if you are enjoying this content.

As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:12: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” This truth, rather than harshly blaming those “suffering with addictive behavior” is the key to overcoming that which enslaves a person.

It gives agency, and, best of all, shows that as Christians, we have the power of Christ to break free from strongholds in a way that is simply not possible for those who don’t have the Holy Spirit.

Of course, alcohol and substance abuse powerfully impact the brain’s functioning, and create a chemical addiction, which adds another layer of difficulty to overcoming addictive behavior. But the God who created us is sovereign and perfectly in control of us and can work to free even the most severe addict.

Breaking the habit never works

Secular programs focus on trying to cure addictive behavior by helping the sufferer to develop enough self-control to “break the habit”. The underlying message is that “you’ll never really be free from your addiction; it is something that is part of you and you just need to do the right things to quell the desire.

While you will always be inclined to abuse alcohol or drugs (or whatever the addiction is focused on), you can develop the habit of abstinence through avoiding contact and keeping your boundaries in place”.

While some of these practices are truly helpful and bring about change, the statistics around long-term sustainability are dire. In and of ourselves, we rarely possess the self-control that is needed to overcome addiction. And so, in spite of initial success, many individuals fall back into patterns of relapse, throughout their lifetime.

Who do you worship?

What is at the Heart of Addictive Behavior? 3

Biblical counseling presents an entirely different picture of addiction, through what God says in His word. Galatians 5:19 says: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, division, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

If the cravings and actions of our flesh are evident, then through them our heart is revealed. This shows our affection, our devotion of time and energy, and our longing. Behind the object of addictive behavior (the object being alcohol or food, for example), is usually a craving of the flesh or an idol that cannot be satisfied in our current context, and drinking alcohol to excess or binge eating offers some temporary relief from the discomfort.

The sin is that we care more about the idol than about worshipping God in the way He requires. As well-respected biblical counselor and author Edward Welch says: “Our problem is not outside of us located in a liquor store or on the Internet; the problem is within us. Alcohol and drugs are essentially satisfiers of deeper idols. The problem is not the idolatrous substance; it is the false worship of the heart.”

Putting on the new

How then, is the battle against the idolatry of the heart won to cure addictive behavior? The Bible shows the need to replace the unhelpful, destructive habit with a new godly habit.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. – Ephesians 4:22-24

While we gain a new heart when God saves us, the human problem of sin remains and each of us differs in the particular way in which we are tempted to sin. But, as we are instructed in God’s word, as we choose to put off the old self, and put on the new self instead, by worshipping God and obeying him, he will gradually replace the false satisfaction of addiction, and the addictive cycle will be broken.

God’s Word as the sword

What is at the Heart of Addictive Behavior?If you suffer from addictive behavior, you can have great hope that there is a pathway to freedom. It is, however, not a “quick fix” and will likely involve a long journey filled with struggle. The fact that ensuring and persevering in it will lead to victory, and not just another relapse and continued pattern of addiction, is an incentive for staying the course.

Due to the firm grip that addictive substances have on people, it is highly recommended that you do not walk this road alone but connect with a well-trained biblical counselor who will help you through every stage of your transformation.

Biblical counselors use God’s Word as the Sword to cut to the heart of a person’s addictive behavior. While every person will be convicted individually, they could use certain Scriptures as a basis for meditation and reflection. The 1 Corinthians 6:12 verse referred to above is an example, given that it is all about recognizing the freedom that we have in Christ to not be enslaved to any kind of idol.

It is also important, once the root cause, or root idol, has been fully recognized, for the individual to repent of their sin, along with the consequences it might have caused to others around them. It then means taking active steps to “put off” the old – dissociating from unhelpful influences and putting boundaries in place to ensure that the temptation is not directly within reach.

These are in line with secular methods for curbing addictive behavior, but what is different in the life of the believer is the renewing of the mind, putting on the “new self” and worshipping God, immersing oneself in His Word, getting involved in the church community, and letting the Holy Spirit do the work of changing one’s motives, thoughts, desires and actions.

What is at the Heart of Addictive Behavior? 1When people are caught up in addictive behavior, they can become more feelings-oriented, looking for emotional highs. The biblical path to breaking free is not exciting in the way that a secular program can feel initially, but about slowly and surely continuing the process of repenting and believing and being able to look back and see that one no longer needs the comfort or relief they sought in engaging in their addiction, but are more fulfilled in Christ.

The verse in Galatians 5:1 will be completely true for the person cured of addiction: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.” It is absolutely a battle worth fighting because it has already been won in Christ.

To meet with a Biblical counselor to learn more about overcoming addiction with the help of the Holy Spirit, contact our office today.

Photos:
“Smoker”, Courtesy of Reza Mehrad, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Handcuffed”, Courtesy of Bermix Studio, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Supplication”, Courtesy of Marcos Paulo Prado, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Praying Woman”, Courtesy of Marcos Paulo Prado, Unsplash.com, CC0 License

DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please contact one of our counselors for further information.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top
Photo of Karyn George
Schedule with Karyn
  • Appointment Info

  • Your Info

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Karyn George

Licensed Mental Health Counselor
(425) 728-4225 karyng@seattlechristiancounseling.com

I have a very relaxed and approachable vibe and hope to create a safe and warm environment where you can come as you are and feel truly accepted and seen, both by me and the Lord. The relationship between the counselor and client is pivotal and it’s important to have a therapist you feel like you can trust and open up to. I value laughter and humor and, where appropriate, enjoy incorporating this into our time together. I have also worked with individuals who have special needs and am perceptive, flexible, and accommodating in order to make your time in therapy fit well with your individual needs. Read more articles by Karyn »

Other articles that might interest you...

Individual Counseling: The Process and What to Expect
Spokane Christian Counseling

Individual Counseling: The Process and ...

For anyone who has never been to therapy but is thinking about taking that step, I want to give a...

continue reading »
What You Need to Know About Individual Counseling 3
Spokane Christian Counseling

What You Need to Know About Individual ...

The difficulties that come our way add variety and complexity to daily life. When we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed by...

continue reading »
10 Things to Know About Counseling 4
Photo of Dr. Aryn Ziehnert

Dr. Aryn Ziehnert

10 Things to Know About Counseling

You have likely heard of counseling. Maybe you’ve even heard about how helpful it can be for people. You may...

continue reading »

About Karyn

Photo of Karyn George

Karyn George, M.Ed, MA, LCPC, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

I have a very relaxed and approachable vibe and hope to create a safe and warm environment where you can come as you are and feel truly accepted and seen, both by me and the Lord. The relationship between the counselor and client is pivotal and it’s important to have a therapist you feel like you can trust and open up to. I value laughter and humor and, where appropriate, enjoy incorporating this into our time together. I have also worked with individuals who have special needs and am perceptive, flexible, and accommodating in order to make your time in therapy fit well with your individual needs. View Karyn's Profile

Recent articles by Karyn

  • Apr 16 · Forgiveness: Why We Should Forgive and How It Transforms Our Lives (Part 2)
  • Oct 17 · What is Prayer and Why is it Important?
  • Aug 2 · What is at the Heart of Addictive Behavior?
See all articles by Karyn »

Related Services

  • Chemical Dependency
  • Individual Counseling
  • Men's Issues
  • Women’s Issues

Karyn's Office Locations

  • Photo of the Spokane Valley office

    Spokane Valley

    Washington

    General Office Number

    (509) 340-0779
    505 North Argonne Road Spokane Valley, WA 99212

    View Office Details
  • Photo of the Online (WA Only) office

    Online (WA Only)

    Washington

    General Office Number

    (509) 340-0779
    901 East 2nd Avenue Spokane, WA 99202

    View Office Details
Spokane Christian Counseling Logo
Spokane Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
We are an association of professional, independently licensed Christian counselors experienced in helping people of all ages find healing for a wide variety of issues.
© 2025 Christian Counseling in Spokane. All rights reserved.
705 West 7th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99204. Tel (509) 209-8961.
Online Counseling About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!