Biblical Answer

The concept of addiction as a disease is often seen as a way to remove personal responsibility from the individual. However, this perspective can also lead to a lack of fear of the Lord, which is essential for overcoming addiction. The Bible teaches that all humans are born in sin and are prone to addictions. This understanding should lead us to expect that the principles of change for addictions are similar to those for any other sin problem. This means that we should not excuse addiction, but instead, we should seek to understand the root causes of the behavior and work towards change.

The Bible teaches that addiction is a form of slavery, and that it is only through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that we can find true freedom. This freedom comes not from trying to stop the addiction through our own strength, but from turning to Christ in repentance and faith. The apostle Paul wrote, I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do (Rom. 7:18-19). This illustrates the human experience of struggling with sin, including addiction. It is only through a relationship with Christ that we can find the strength and guidance to overcome our struggles with addiction.

Ultimately, the question of whether we can be good people even when struggling with addiction is not about our own strength or willpower, but about our relationship with God. The Bible teaches that we are all sinners, and that our addictions are a result of our fallen nature. However, through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we can find forgiveness, guidance, and strength to overcome our struggles with addiction. This is not about being defined by our past addiction, but about being defined by the blood of Christ. It is about coming to church to seek help and guidance, rather than to educate others or to judge them. By turning to Christ and seeking His guidance, we can find true freedom and healing from addiction.