Addiction, idols, and obedience

 Addiction, Idols, and Obedience

So I bet when you read that title you thought, Why in the world is she putting those three things together?

At first glance, they seem completely unrelated — especially addiction and obedience, right?

But the truth is, we can become addicted to just about anything.

Here’s the definition of  addiction according to Google:  

“Having a strong, compulsive desire or need for something, often a substance or activity, despite potential negative consequences.”

And here’s the definition of idolatry.

“The worship of a physical object as a god; an immoderate attachment or devotion to something.”

So maybe those two aren’t so different after all, right?  

But why throw obedience into the mix?

Let’s look at its definition: 

“ Compliance with an order, request, or law, or submission to another’s authority.”

All three have a common thread: submission.  

You can submit to the physical or mental pull of addiction.  

You can submit to the enticing draw of idolatry.  

Or you can submit to the authority of someone — or Someone — calling you to follow a certain path.

I think a lot of times in this world, we submit to the earthly draw of idolatry without even realizing it.  

And sometimes that idol even becomes an addiction — something that pulls us further away from being obedient to God, and instead makes us obedient to the world... or to the enemy.

The Bible warns us that we have an enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  

What we often miss is how subtle that enemy is.

Anything can become an idol.  

Anything can become an addiction.  

Television.  

Phones.  

Our kids.  

Our spouses.  

Our careers.  

Anything that draws our affection, attention, or priority away from God.

It's not just the obvious things like drugs and alcohol.  

Truthfully, one of the biggest addictions and idols in America is likely the very device you’re holding in your hand right now.

If we really want to say we’re obedient to God, then we have to lay everything else down and chase after His Word, His promises, and His ways first.  

There’s not a single scripture I’ve read that says, “Wake up and grab your phone” or “Wake up and grab your distractions.”

But there are countless scriptures about praising God in the morning, afternoon, and evening.  

Scripture speaks of worldly pleasures only when warning of their destruction.

We like to tell ourselves we’re not “that bad” because we aren’t addicted to drugs or alcohol.  

But comparison is the thief of joy.  

We compare ourselves to people with “big” addictions, while holding tight to our “smaller” ones — never realizing they’re just as dangerous to our soul.

I’ve noticed something about highly successful people:  

Many of them don’t touch their phones first thing in the morning

They don’t roll over and check Facebook, email, or the news.  

They start with quiet time. Reflection. Meditation.  

Some even spend that time with God.

The difference between them and many of us?  

They guard their mornings, and it shows — in their families, their health, and their success.  

Meanwhile, some of us roll over, grab our phones, scroll for an hour, and wonder why we’re stuck — financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

I get it.  

I realized a long time ago that I had made my husband an idol

Anything you put before God becomes an idol.  

It doesn't have to be money, drugs, or fame.  

It can be anything.

And as long as there’s an idol in your life, you cannot fully receive the blessings of God

If you’re going to be obedient to something, it had better be God — not the world.  

Because the world may give you shiny things — a big bank account, a beautiful family, the picture-perfect life —  

but if you peel back the surface, you’ll often find stress, emptiness, and brokenness underneath.

It doesn't matter how much money you have, how many awards you win, or how many sports your kids play —  

True joy and identity come from God alone.

Your worth isn’t defined by what you do or what you have.  

Your worth is found in who you were created to be — by the Creator Himself.

If you don’t know that deep in your soul, you’ll chase after idols and addictions to fill the void.  

And whether you like it or not, it’s the truth.

I wasn’t put on this earth to sugarcoat things.  

I’ve always been called to speak hard truths in love  

Sometimes God uses us — especially women — to deal with the emotional and spiritual things no one else wants to touch.  

But even then, we have to be careful not to let that calling become an idol itself.

We can't look to people for our fulfillment.  

We must look to God for everything.

So what do addiction, idols, and obedience have in common?

Everything.

At the root, it’s all about worship

Who — or what — will you submit to?  

Who will you worship with your heart, mind, soul, and strength?

All I know is this:  

When it comes time to choose, choose wisely.

Ready to break free from hidden idols and step fully into God's design for your life?

Let’s partner together for prophetic strategy and Holy Spirit-led breakthrough.

#PropheticPrayerStrategy #KingdomTransformation #FaithVoyager