Three Addictions to Overcome
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ...” -Philippians 3:7-8
Being an Orthodox Christian in the world is no easy task, but it is a rewarding one. Detachment is one of those difficult concepts that cause us to struggle, especially when it is from something the world holds as normal, fun, or just relaxing. As Orthodox our mindset should be different from that of the world and yet we have to live in this fallen world like everyone else. Often we get ourselves entangled in the worlds pursuit of pleasure, greed, and vanity to where it has become an addiction, that which we are enslaved and we hardly notice. The narrow path is rocky, full of thorns, and often hard to traverse. The broad road is much easier and many are going down it, so we think we can as well, as long as we are careful. Beloved, that never works out because the devil uses our fallen nature, our passions against us, for example:
Pleasure addiction– The thought of “missing out” on certain experiences drive many people to fall into the trap of “You only live once so take what you can get!” type of thinking. This thinking leads to a hedonistic spiral of drugs, sex, adrenalin seeking thrills etc. However, this spiral never leads to happiness, but emptiness, discontent, and despair. In the end it offers only disappointment and death.
Greed addiction– Many fall prey to the material world by defining themselves through “things”. With expensive clothing, houses, cars, watches, big bank accounts, etc. Seeking to set themselves apart from others they fill their hearts with the abundance of things only to realize they are still empty. For many it is too late having spent their whole lives accumulating things trying to fill that God shaped vacuum in their hearts that only HE can fill.
Vanity addiction– It is true that pleasure seeking and greed are primarily human traps because they are materially based. Vanity on the other hand is a satanic and spiritually based sin. Vanity often proves to be a battle that gets more difficult over time. Because no matter what addiction we are fighting against, no matter how much progress we make in defeating it, we carry in us the seed of pride which congratulates us on how Godly we are, how strong we are in the faith, etc. Yes, here, is the very danger of the passion of Vanity.
Beloved, through Christ we can do all things! Struggling with the addiction of pleasure? Fasting is the answer. Fighting with the addiction of greed? Learn to generously give to others. Noticing the addiction of vanity and pride in yourself? Practice humility and sincere humility in your hearts. Sinful man is often blind to his own faults and shortcomings, but can readily see the faults in others. Beloved of God, that should not be and must not be if you proclaim yourself to be an Orthodox Christian. Humble yourself before the mighty hand of God and He will lift you up! There is no addiction God cannot heal if we cast our cares upon Him, for He cares for us. Detach from those addictions that hinder your relationship with Christ and begin today to travel the narrow path, the Royal Path of the true Orthodox faith, and shine as lights in a dark world. God Bless You!
-Fr Lazarus Gahles