Positive addiction, as well as negative addiction, are concepts that are found in Galatians 5:16-26. To “live by the Spirit” deals with the positive and to “gratify the desires of the sinful nature” is negative. Paul compared these two by enumerating the lust of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.
Neuroscientists have an explanation on how addiction hijacks the brain. An article Understanding Addiction gives us clearer perspective about it.
In the brain, pleasure has a distinct signature: the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, a cluster of nerve cells lying underneath the cerebral cortex. Dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens is so consistently tied with pleasure that neuroscientists refer to the region as the brain’s pleasure center.
In this scripture passage, we can have either the effect or “reward” both the positive addiction and the negative addiction. Of course, we do not want the effect of the negative. We are after what the positive addiction can give to us. It is our goal to “live by the Spirit,” and not to “gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
What are the benefits of positive addiction?
1. Positive Addiction Overcomes the Negative
It is clear that the positive and the negative are in conflict with each other. In verse 19, “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit is contrary to the sinful nature.”
The concept within this verse shows that it is possible to overcome the sinful nature by living a positive addiction, which is to live by the Spirit. Unfortunately, it is the same way looking at the opposite. The negative addiction can also overcome the positive.
2. Positive Addiction Leads to a Fruitful Life
In verses 19-22, Paul made a clear comparison between the acts of the sinful nature and the fruit of the Spirit.
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Positive addiction boils down to this basic principle: live by the Spirit. It is similar to the concept of always abiding in the Lord. When a believer or Christ’s follower consistently live by the power of the Spirit, it will become natural for him or her to live a fruitful life. The fruit of the Spirit will manifest naturally.
It is also unfortunate that negative addiction, in any form, leads to sin and destruction. Therefore, we must not choose to live that way. We must choose to live by the Spirit that will lead us into a fruitful life.