The modern world offers no shortage of vices to which we can attach ourselves: food, drink, sports, gambling, pornography. Studies even show how easily we become addicted to something as seemingly harmless as checking our email or scrolling through our phones.
When it comes to addressing any vice, we’re often faced with two options: deal with the symptoms or get to the root of the problem.
Here are a few examples to make the point:
Overeating or drinking too much? Just put duct tape over your mouth.
Addicted to your smartphone? Get a flip phone.
Struggling with pornography or lust? Wear blinders.
These so-called “solutions” might help to an extent, but they only scratch the surface. They focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing the deeper issue. Do they have a place? Perhaps as part of the process. But they fall far short of painting the full picture of what true healing looks like.
The truth is, our vices often have deep roots. They’re not just about what we do—they’re about what’s in our hearts. Our actions are often the surface-level manifestations of deeper spiritual wounds.
That kind of healing—the kind that addresses the roots—takes time. It’s not something we can achieve on our own. It requires God’s help, His grace working in us to transform not just our behaviors but our hearts.
Healing also demands constant vigilance, yes, but even more, it requires constant supplication. We must turn to God again and again, bringing our weaknesses to Him in humility and trust. Only through His power can we find true freedom, the kind that goes beyond managing symptoms and brings lasting healing.
The next time we confront a vice in our lives, let’s ask ourselves: am I only dealing with the surface, or am I inviting God to heal what lies beneath?