The world we live in has changed, and while it seems like these changes have made life easier, they’ve also brought new challenges, especially for young adults in church. From the normalisation of harmful behaviours to the rapid advancement of technology, there are now more ways than ever to struggle with addiction. Things that were once considered taboo are now accepted, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of addiction without even realising it. This post dives deep into understanding and dealing with addictions as a young adult in church in today’s world,.
The Modern Age: Changing Values and Normalising Addictions
When you look around today, it feels like everything that goes against the word of God is being glamorised in one form or another. Every TV show, every movie, and even the music we listen to seems to celebrate things that the Bible condemns. It’s like the world has collectively decided that sin is no longer a problem, and everyone is happily embracing behaviours that were once seen as shameful.
One of the biggest culprits in this cultural shift is the advancement of technology. Don’t get me wrong—technology has brought a lot of good into our lives. But, as someone once jokingly said, these devices can also feel like “the devices of the enemy.” With smartphones, tablets, and laptops, we have the whole world at our fingertips, and that includes easy access to things that can lead us into addiction.
We’ve grown up in a society where exposure to harmful substances and content, like pornography, and drugs can happen as early as childhood. What was once hard to access is now readily available at the click of a button. In fact, one of my first encounters with the normalisation of addiction came during a casual conversation with high school boys. They were talking about pornography and masturbation like it was no big deal—just something every guy does. They made it sound so normal that I began to question whether it was really wrong. But deep down, I knew that wasn’t the “normal” God had in mind for me.
Addiction in Secret: The Danger of Isolation
Addiction often starts in secret. Because society has normalised so many destructive behaviours, it’s easy to convince ourselves that what we’re doing isn’t wrong. We’re surrounded by people who are struggling with the same things, so it becomes harder to recognise addiction for what it truly is—chains that keep us bound.
Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
But just because it’s normal doesn’t make it right. God’s truth doesn’t change, even when the world does. The standards God set thousands of years ago still apply today, no matter how much society changes.
For many young adults in church, the struggle with addiction is made even harder by feelings of shame and isolation. We feel like we can’t talk to anyone about what we’re going through because we’re afraid of being judged. Everyone else seems to have it all together, and here we are, still battling the same demons day after day. The pressure to conform to a “perfect” Christian image can be overwhelming, and as a result, many of us continue to struggle in silence.
The Influence of Nature and Nurture
One thing that can’t be overlooked when discussing addiction is the role of nature and nurture. Some of us might be more predisposed to addictive behaviours due to genetics, while others might fall into addiction because of the environment we were raised in. The things we see and hear from a young age can shape our understanding of what’s acceptable behavior.
For example, if you grow up in a household where substance abuse is common, you might be more likely to fall into that same pattern as an adult. On the other hand, if you’re constantly surrounded by people who glamorise certain behaviors—whether it’s watching pornography, drinking excessively, or even spending countless hours online—it becomes easier to accept those things as normal.
Technology: The Double-Edged Sword
The rise of technology has only made it easier to fall into addiction. On one hand, we can use our phones and computers for good—reading the Bible, staying connected with Christian communities, and spreading the Gospel. But on the other hand, technology has given us unlimited access to content that can feed our addictions. Whether it’s pornography, social media, or gambling, everything we need to get hooked is right there in our pockets.
What’s worse is that these behaviours have been normalised to such a degree that we don’t even recognise them as addictions anymore. Spending hours scrolling through Instagram or TikTok might seem harmless, but it’s easy to lose track of time and end up neglecting our spiritual responsibilities. Slowly but surely, these “harmless” activities begin to take priority over our relationship with God.
It’s important to remember that even though these things are accessible and seemingly harmless, they can still become chains that bind us. Addiction doesn’t always look like substance abuse – it can be as simple as letting our phones dictate our lives.
The Church’s Role in Addressing Addiction
As young adults in the church, we might feel like we’re the only ones struggling, but the truth is, addiction affects more people than we realise. Unfortunately, the church hasn’t always been the most welcoming place for people dealing with addiction. Too often, we feel like we can’t open up about our struggles because we’re afraid of being judged.
But addiction isn’t something that only affects “bad” people. It’s a universal problem that can affect anyone, no matter how strong their faith is. It’s time for the church to create a more open environment where young adults feel comfortable talking about their struggles without fear of judgment.
Instead of pretending that everything is perfect, we need to recognize that addiction is a real issue within the church and start addressing it head-on. We need to create spaces where people can come as they are and feel supported in their journey toward healing.
Conclusion: Understanding Addiction is the First Step
Addiction is a complex issue, and it’s something that many young adults in church are struggling with today. Whether it’s technology, substances, or destructive behaviours that have been normalised by society, we’re all susceptible to falling into the trap of addiction.
Understanding addiction is the first step toward finding freedom, and that’s what this post is all about. I wanted to lay the groundwork for what addiction looks like in today’s world and help you see that you’re not alone in your struggles.
Remember, while society may have normalised these behaviours, God’s truth never changes. Stay tuned for more insights in the upcoming post!
