Addictions rob you of your agency. Agency is central to God's plan of happiness. Addictions become obsessions which replace God as their god. This offends God. It's quite simple. President Nelson explained it well.
"As you think celestial, you will find yourself avoiding anything that robs you of your agency. Any addiction—be it gaming, gambling, debt, drugs, alcohol, anger, pornography, sex, or even food—offends God. Why? Because your obsession becomes your god. You look to it rather than to Him for solace. If you struggle with an addiction, seek the spiritual and professional help you need. Please do not let an obsession rob you of your freedom to follow God’s fabulous plan." – Russell M Nelson, "Think Celestial!", October 2023 General Conference
Believe it or not this quote from God's living prophet has, surprisingly, turned out to be somewhat controversial. Apparently the notion that God would be offended by His children's addictions offends people. Apparently people think God is a pansy and blindly tolerates all sin. This couldn't be further from the truth. President Nelson explained it very succinctly in the above quote.
God is offended by people's addictions because the addictions replace Him as their God. It's quite simple. Has everyone forgotten the first of the Ten Commandments?
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." – Exodus 20:3
It must be a fairly important concept for God since it is the first of the Ten Commandments that He gave the Israelites through His ancient prophet, Moses.
Any obsession, whether it be an addiction or money, material possessions, other people such as celebrities and athletes, sports or anything that replaces God is considered an idol, or a god, and offends God.
But going back to President Nelson's original quote focusing on addiction. Many people turn to a variety of addictions to find solace in our troubled world. These addictions become obsessions which rob people of their agency and replace Him as their God. Why wouldn't God be offended by this?
Far too many people are rationalizing their sins away by believing in a God who accepts their sins or by not believing in God at all.
Either way, many people are sorely mistaken. Because God does exist and He will not tolerate sin.
Yes, God loves all of His children. But He is offended by sin. He is offended by addictions which replace Him as God. There are consequences to breaking God's laws. Because He loves us so much.
That's my two cents.
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