If the man is truly in Christ, there is hope. But I wouldn't say it doesn't matter. I would say it is critical for this man to be rid of his addiction (whatever it may be). An addiction indicates idolatry as well as selfishness. Idolatry in that the addiction is being served and catered to even at the expense of all else. It is selfishness because it has all to do with satisfying one's own desires. This is bondage and if someone is in Christ, they are not called to any sort of bondage. Paul dealt with the Galatians being in bondage again by following the Law and making Christ of none effect. But it applies to anything that binds us to anyone or anything other than Him.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Colossians 3:1-10
If a brother in Christ, the addict will be able to die to himself and find the life of Christ more than sufficient to make him victorious over sin. He died to sin. But it is also important to note that this is not him resolving to overcome his sin - rather submitting to God by denying himself and seeking to please God (and serve the brethren).
Just my 3 cents....
Addiction, addict = adjudged.
There are certain words, which describe the situation or circumstances of a group of people or indeed an individual, which have fallen into misuse. The kind of misuse that gives glory to humanity, while bringing into question the sovereignty of the Eternal Almighty. The wrong interpretation/understanding of these words and their continued misuse denies His sovereignty in administration.
Addict is one of these words. Those unfortunate people that have addictions to drugs or alcohol are looked upon by society as being foolish or stupid for ‘’having thrown their life away’’ or ‘’wasting their lives’’. These statements infer that the person made a conscious or controlled decision to do so. This of course means that the individual is in control and if only they would, ‘’pull themselves together’’ they could be free of addiction.
The root meaning of addict is adjudged. The recipient of the judgment is imprisoned or bound by the substance or circumstance to which they have an insatiable craving or desire. That’s why they are known as life controlling substances or circumstances. They are bound by the judgment to the accompanying torments: fury wrath, tribulation and anguish. Within this prison, ‘’there is no peace unto the wicked’’ only desperation.
Addictions can be to sports or pastimes and of course religion. There can be a zeal that is shown towards the true worship of the Almighty, but is practiced outside of salvation that becomes addictive.
This is particularly the case where the addict has a leadership role and gets his weekly or biweekly hit or rush at meetings where he is the center of attention.
In Welsh chapels and denominational churches this can be seen in the ‘man worship’ of the minister by the flock, or audience, as the case may be.
One of the Puritans said that it is a good thing for a man to attend a church meeting, but if the man is not saved at the meeting it is better that he should cease to attend. Because there is a danger he might begin to enjoy religion and that at some stage he may be ‘encouraged’ and told he has an ability to preach or teach and the man begins a ministry. He then becomes a blind guide and from that judgment there is very little hope of escape.
Anyone addicted has been judged. The addiction is the judgment against the sin of the individual and/or of society where the judgment is the lust that accompanies homosexuality. If he is forgiven and granted repentance the judgment is lifted. That man is liberated indeed. Amen.
We must take great care in how we think of poor unfortunate souls who are addicted (judged) and how we deal with them or else we could fall under addiction (judgment) ourselves.
The just also fall under judgment, trials, testing and tribulations, but we have the promise that the Good Shepherd will come looking for and deliver us.
