Often we think of addiction as a reference to drugs and alcohol, but there are Bible verses about addiction that can be applied to anything that enslaves us, or holds us back in life.
Whether it is drugs, alcohol, illicit sex, pornography, gambling, gluttony, excessive shopping, or anything else, the Bible can provide us with insight and support to make our lives better.
If you are struggling with any type of addiction or know someone who is, these Scripture about addiction should prove to be helpful. We have selected the most significant bible quotes that identify various addictions as sinful and show how a close relationship with God can assist the addict in overcoming their addiction.
20 Bible Verses about Addiction
1
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
[
Ephesians 5:18-20]
2
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
[
Galatians 5:1]
3
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
[
Colossians 3:5]
4
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
[
Proverbs 20:1]
5
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”
[
Job 31:1]
6
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
[
Romans 12:1]
7
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
[
2 Corinthians 5:17]
8
“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”
[
Romans 6:16]
9
10
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
[
Galatians 5:19-21]
11
“Whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.”
[
Hosea 4:11]
12
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
[
1 Peter 2:11]
13
“For all that is in the world”the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions”is not from the Father but is from the world.”
[
1 John 2:16]
14
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
[
1 Corinthians 10:13]
15
“But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.”
[
1 Corinthians 8:9]
16
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
[
Hebrews 13:4]
17
“Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat,”
[
Proverbs 23:20]
18
“Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!”
[
Isaiah 5:11]
19
“For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
[
Ephesians 5:5]
20
“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler”not even to eat with such a one.”
[
1 Corinthians 5:11]
So, What Does the Bible Teach Us About Addiction?
These Bible verses about addiction identify some specific addictions as sinful, such as sexual immorality, alcoholism, and gluttony, with others such as drugs, pornography, gambling, and excessive shopping clearly implied.
Anything that enslaves you causes you to be its servant, which hinders you from serving God and being there for the people that need you in their lives. We are warned that those who continue in that way of life will not enter into the kingdom of God.
I like how these scriptures on addiction tell us how we can be freed from our addictions if we will only allow the Holy Spirit to work through us. We are also instructed on tips of how to stay free, such as avoiding bad company that might influence us to partake of our addiction again.
And with any temptations, God will provide us with a way of escape. It is also the responsibility of all Christians to not do anything that might cause another Christian who has a problem with addiction to stumble.
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