n medical terminology, addiction is a state in which the body relies on a substance for normal functioning and develops physical dependence.

2 Peter 1:19
So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

The Greek word "prosecho" which is translated here as "to pay attention" can also be translated as "to be addicted".

Is that not completely and totally profound? It was utterly mind blowing to me when I learned that, and continues to be every time I think about it. You see, I have been addicted to quite a few things in my life, most of which are unquestionably sinful. I have experienced and know first hand what it is like to rely on and crave something to the point that, if for some reason I could not obtain it, I would be set into an instant panic. As my body ached, my mind would be consumed with ways to acquire that with which I was addicted to, I could literally think of nothing else. The moment I possessed that which I craved and sought after, I remember it being this euphoric ecstatic happiness.

The Apostle is saying that this is exactly how we should feel about the Word of God. We ought to be addicted to it, craving it, longing for it, and totally relying upon it. We should be like Job who said, "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12) Seriously, just sit and really soak that in and think about what Job just said. Job wasn't just saying that, ya know...how we often compliment those around us, saying something kind or nice when we don't really mean it. Job was upright, truthful, and honest. He fully understood what it meant when it was written, "MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD." (Deut. 8:3; Matt 4:4) Job knew, that just as we need our necessary food for our physical bodies to live (temporal), we need the Word of God every single day if we are to survive spiritually (which has eternal ramifications). That is why Peter said, "like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation" (1 Pet 2:2).

Looking back at 2nd Peter, why does the Apostle say we ought to be addicted to the Word of God? Because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place. Those who are without Christ are said to be futile in their thinking, darkened in their understanding, excluded from life with God because of the ignorance that is in them. They have calloused, sin hardened hearts because they continually give themselves over to sensualities, impurities and greediness (Eph 5:17-19). Although we have been called out of this darkness (Col 1:13; 1Pet 2:9), we can all still run the risk of stumbling (James 3:2) in this dark, sinful world without the Word of God to guide our paths. That is precisely why the Psalmist said "it is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105) Because sin can so easily entangle us, we need the Word of God to supernaturally shed light onto the narrow path which leads to life.

Our absolute need for light to guide our paths is the reason we should be completely addicted to the Scriptures. This addiction does not only apply to us in our individual lives but also applies to the Church. Paul said in 1 Timothy 4:13, "give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching." See where it says "give attention"? That is that same word I mentioned earlier, "prosecho", the Church should be addicted to the reading and teaching of Scripture, and to exhorting the congregation.

Because of all this, I am just completely dumbfounded when professing Christians swarm to these so-called Churches that toss the Word of God aside so that they can instead study garbage like "The Shack," "The Purpose Driven Life," "Your Best Life Now," or even "The Secret." This is in direct defiance to God's commands for us personally and the Church. These professing believers have fulfilled 2 Timothy 4:3, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires." Look at Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen, where thousands upon thousands of so-called believers turn their back on the Word of God for some feel good motivational speech that is completely and totally human in origin. Or look at the Emergent Church movement, which constantly scrambles around in an attempt to discredit the Word of God. What does Scripture say about man's wisdom?

So let's all learn a little something from Peter and start up a new healthy addiction to God's Word because His Words alone have eternal life.