In a recent edition of Christianity Today, Carolyn Arends addresses addiction, what she (and Gerald May before her) call "the spiritual disease of our time." A few quotes about addiction capture the author’s thinking:

Even for those of us who might claim no addictions, these words sound hauntingly familiar. In fact, replace "addiction," "thrill," and "masters" with the word "sin" or "sins" in these sentences, and the powerful lure of the devil’s traps becomes obvious. We drink from the well of sin, thinking that our choices will somehow bring fulfillment – only to discover that sin leaves us thirstier in the long run.

There is also a spiritual warfare aspect here that we seldom recognize. For the sake of illustration, imagine a "sin line" that marks the place where we cross from obedience into disobedience. On one side of that line, the Enemy is the enticer (1 Chron. 21:1) who seeks to draw us across the line. He makes sin look inviting, exciting, and satisfying, even as he ensnares us with his messages: "Go ahead and do it, nobody will know." "Look at what you’re missing." "Everybody else is doing it." So alluring is the sin, and so loud are the messages, that we choose to cross the line.

There, the Enemy changes his approach. The enticer on one side of the line becomes the accuser (Rev. 12:10) on the other. Here’s what it sounds like before and after the sin line, when the encouragements to sin become taunts of accusation:

The process is clear. The Enemy dangles the lures in front of us, and we take the bait. Then, in a demonic twist, he turns on us and beats us up with accusations. When we accept his charges as truth, our resolve to fight future temptations is weakened.

So, how do we start to help others break this addictive pattern?

First, share the gospel. No unbeliever can win this battle. Thus, the starting point is to assure that others have heard the gospel and responded to Christ in repentance and faith.

Second, point to the beauty of Christ. Regrettably, churches often teach Christ as Savior, but neglect to present Him as the priest who prays for us (Heb. 7:25) and the king who is above every power (Eph. 1:20-23). Only when we truly see Christ for who He is will sin lose its attraction.

Third, teach about standards of holiness and the seriousness of sin. Let’s be honest: some believers struggle because we have never taught them about sin, the Enemy, and the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17). We should not be surprised when those we have not taught don’t live up to standards they don’t know.

Fourth, build confession into discipleship. In the context of healthy discipling relationships, encourage careful, God-honoring confession (James 5:16). Then, offer restoration and forgiveness (Gal. 6:1); let godly love trump the power of sin.

The goal, of course, is to long for Jesus, meet him, long for more of Him, grow in His grace, long for more still . . . and just keep longing for and loving Him more. Ask God today to cure your sin addictions by making you addicted to Him – and then teach others how to live in that victory.

Chuck Lawless is Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism at Southern Seminary (www.sbts.edu), president of the consulting firm The Lawless Group (www.thelawlessgroup.com), and author of Discipled Warriors and several other books. You may read his blogs and articles at www.chucklawless.com.