As Christians, we have to be very careful how we look at things. This is often referred to as one’s world view (how reality is interpreted). How we look at things, this world view, directly influences our values, the way we think and how we act. The world tells us to look at things through secular or humanistic eyes. But the Word tells us we must look at things through the eyes of Christ.

Secular eyes see everything as relative and dependent on circumstances. Moral decisions and actions are made as circumstances dictate and directed by human reasoning, wisdom and emotions. Everything is subjective, temporal and localized (nothing is universal). We are accountable to no one but ourselves.

The Bible in Proverbs 16:25 tells us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

The eyes of Christ see things in absolutes: good and bad, black and white. Moral decisions and actions are made on the basis of what God says is good, true, honorable, noble and right. God’s values are unchanging. Human morals shift as quickly as the sands in the sea. Our moral duty to God is rock solid. It never changes. We are accountable to God.

The world blames addiction and dysfunctional behavior on “genes,” our circumstances, things that happened to us in our youth and on and on. It is not our fault. The blame always lands on anyone but “me.” In the Bible, God calls addiction and dysfunctional behavior “sin.” No if’s, and’s or but’s. The words “addiction” and “dysfunctional behavior” are secular terminology. They are not found anywhere in the Bible.

If we are just “born that way” or are made that way by our circumstances (as secular humanists would have us believe) we are simply helpless victims. There is no hope for us. Relapse is inevitable. True recovery is impossible. If we choose to believe this, that we are weak slaves of substances and circumstances, then recovery is a lost cause.

But if we choose to look at things through the eyes of God, we see addiction as a sin; We see dysfunctional behaviors as sin. We realize we are not helpless victims of circumstances but we have fallen into sin. Now there is hope! Why? Because we have a Savior, a Redeemer who can do for us what we could not do for ourselves.

If we sin we can confess that sin to God.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

We can repent…
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)

We can change…
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)

We will be forgiven…
“Her sins, which are many, have been forgiven…” (Luke 7:47)

We will be healed…
“Your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” (Mark 5:34)

We will be renewed…
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24)

We will become a new creation in Christ.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)