For nearly 30 years, the Journal of Biblical Counseling (previously the Journal of Pastoral Practice) of CCEF (the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation) has provided a forum for biblical counseling’s development and application. The journal’s mission is to develop clear thinking and effective practice in biblical counseling through articles that faithfully bring the God of truth, mercy, and power to the issues faced by ministries of counseling and discipleship.
“Idolatry includes anything we worship: the lust for pleasure, respect, love, power, control, or freedom from pain. Furthermore, the 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.” (Page 20)
“Consider five different metaphors for addictive behavior: idolatry, adultery, foolishness, attacks by a beast, and, then, disease.” (Page 20)
“Scripture permits us to broaden the definition of idolatry so that it includes anything on which we set our affections and indulge in as an excessive and sinful attachment.” (Page 20)
“In the case of addictions, the disease metaphor has been the controlling metaphor and it has jealously guarded its turf. No other perspective has been invited to broaden our understanding, let alone offer a major conceptual overhaul. Of course, the disease metaphor has usefulness. It highlights the way we can feel controlled by something other than our own will. What it doesn’t highlight is that the bondage we experience is a voluntary slavery.” (Page 19)
“Whatever earthly desire doesn’t take ‘No’ for an answer is a lust that surpasses your desire for Jesus Himself. With this in mind, we quickly realize that self-control is not simply an exercise in self-improvement. It is an essential discipline in a high-stakes spiritual battle. The only possible attitude toward out-of-control desires is a declaration of all-out war.” (Page 25)