25 March 2009

Addicts--All of Us

In Second Corinthians, Paul writes, “. . . there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

*Maybe this is about demonic activity (Paul’s more charismatic than most care to admit).
*Maybe this is describing a specific/occasional sin (he travels for a living, after all).
*Maybe Paul’s describing doubt (a person of such deep faith has to doubt too).
*Perhaps Paul is depressed (he has good reason).
*Paul’s eyes are going bad (c.f. Galatians 4:13 and 6:11).
*Those false teachers are finally getting under his skin (the revenge of the Ninevites).
*Could it be a reference to Paul’s speech impediment/lack of oratory flash?

All of the previous are possible. I want to introduce a different way to read this text. It might work in the church more than it would in the academy (which is fine with me).

What if Paul is describing an addiction?

Here's what I mean when I use the word addiction. I probably mean something different than what you think of when you hear or use the word. Addiction is “the repeated surrender to a power/force that prevents us from being the person God created us to be.” That is, addiction might be more prevalent than we think.

Paul is very articulate about this current condition in his life. First, he says he prayed repeatedly for the removal (three times). This prayer for deliverance could span several months or years, we simply don’t know. Second, Paul prays for the removal of something that is preventing Paul from knowing God more deeply. Third, the word for “thorn” insinuates something that pierces, a power that presses in. Sin is not merely about making good choices. It’s also about recognizing that there is a power at work in the world which seeks to smother, dominate, and oppress. This should not surprise us. A power that loves to “steak, kill, and destroy”—to quote Jesus.

We are good at recognizing the obvious addictions: sex, gambling, porn, alcohol, drugs, and eating. But, if we pay attention to our lives, most everyone I know wrestles with addictions that are less obvious. However, just because something is less obvious does not mean it is less deadly or destructive.

Some of us have “covert” addictions: drama, anger, fighting, thrill, avoidance, shopping, TV., film, gossip, vanity, clothes, racial jokes, sports, gender exploitation, comfort, power, Internet, blogging, e-mail, funny you-tube videos.

An addiction is the place we go when we want to hide from God. God’s world is so big; we think we can get away from God. But we can’t. Because it’s God’s big world. Not ours. As long as we are unable to identify the “thorns” in our collective life together, we will not be able to fully experience Jesus as the one who liberates from the powers of this present darkness.

7 comments:

Tim Perkins said...

Josh: I'd like to hear your take on "My grace is sufficient" in this passage. I more easily understand "my power is made perfect in weakness". What does grace have to do with Paul's thorn in the flesh?

Josh Graves said...

Great question. Let me "think upon these things."

JG

Jonathan Storment said...

Good thought Josh, I had never thought of an addiction as a place we go to hide from God.

Great post bro!

Jim Martin said...

Josh,
This is a very good post! I like the way you approach this. Your list of addictions is very helpful as well.

What you said regarding these addictions as being places to hide from God is right on target as well.

Many of us would do well to reflect on our behaviors and ask what about the meaning behind them.

phil said...

Josh,

It sounds like to me that you have concluded that this “thorn” is a sin Paul is dealing with; because you say that this thorn is “preventing Paul from knowing God more deeply.” In other words, it sounds like you have concluded that this “thorn” is causing some sort of separation between Paul and God; this “thorn” is causing Paul to sometimes miss the mark. So although you mentioned different theories for the thorn, you yourself have ruled out a physical ailment, right?

I like your definition of addiction; here’s why: The way you define addiction really brings to light that we are all addicts, that we are all and will always be recovering from something. The way you define addiction allows us to wipe away the extra and unhealthy layer of shame build-up and come to the realization that we are all in need of that potent cleaner we call “His blood.”

The way you define addiction also I thinks takes the thickness out of the air in churches and in various gatherings where confession can become more common and healthy. Because if we can all admit that we are addicts than we will create an environment where we can, as Ann Lamott says be able to preach the greatest sermon and say “me too.”

Josh Graves said...

Tim,

I'm still wrestling with your question. I don't want to give the preacher answer.

Jonathan, can't wait to have you here.

Jim, Thanks. As one who hides from God, I can sense it in other people.

Phil,

Love the Lamott quote. That woman is as powerful a thinker as we have in Christianity. Great insights and points.

d.j. iverson said...

This is a brilliant insight. Broadening addiction to include the masses has a great potential to really shift our (at least my) perspective on meeting the needs of others.

I'm thinking this really supports the AA ministry model, rooting our connection to Christ around a common need.