Addiction is defined as the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity. Notable in the above definition of addiction is that it either involves an object or a behaviour. While someone may be addicted to substances like drugs, alcohol, cigarette, etc., another person’s addiction may be pornography, television, telephone, clubbing, etc. The common factor of addiction is pleasure-deriving. I once heard about the addiction level of a man who must smoke a few sticks of cigarette before he is able to pass out excreta.
The aforementioned are instances of bad or negative addiction. However, one can be addicted to good habits and practices. Apostle Paul acknowledged, commended and recommended a family while addressing the church at Corinth. “I beseech you, brethren, ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints” (1Corinthians 16:15, KJV). The house or family of Stephanas distinguished themselves by their unequal addiction to meeting the needs of the church. They even went as far as ministering to Paul as remarked by him in verse 18 of the above scripture, “For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore, acknowledge such men”. The ministry of the Stephanas was soul-refreshing and enriching! What kind of ministry are you addicted to? Is it ministry of gossip, backbiting, envy, jealousy, unforgiveness, hatred, etc? The amazing fact about the Stephanas is that the Bible never recorded that they built a church of their own. In fact, they were not even appointed or ordained as ministers. They just had unique passion and devotion for the welfare of the body of Christ. They went all out providing for the needs of the church, ministering to the saints by praying, visiting, counselling, sharing in their burden, etc. God is happy with His children who devote themselves to reaching out to the believers in christian service. Little wonder, Paul the Apostle enjoined the Corinthian church to respect the Stephanas who were ministers without collar.
Beloved, do you know that Jesus Christ was addicted to the ministry of His Father? “Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). Food is a basic necessity of life, without which nobody can survive! Allegorically, doing God’s will was like food to Jesus Christ. I charge you today to be addicted to doing the will of God. If you are negatively addicted, submit to the Lord, cry to God for deliverance, and abstain from the causal factor. PEACE
