The term “addiction” as it is understood today does not appear directly in the Bible. However, Scripture addresses the underlying themes of addiction, such as bondage to sin, lack of self-control, and the idolatrous worship of created things over the Creator. Here are three Bible verses that, while not mentioning addiction by name, speak to the issues underlying addiction:
- 1 Corinthians 6:12 – “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
- Galatians 5:1 – For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
- Ephesians 5:18 – And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
Three Main Takeaways:
- Freedom in Christ: Jesus Christ offers freedom from all forms of bondage, including the bondage of addiction. The Gospel is about the transformative power of Christ’s love and sacrifice, which breaks the chains of sin and addiction, offering a new life in Him (Galatians 5:1).
- Self-Control as Fruit of the Spirit: The Bible emphasizes the importance of self-control, one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Following Jesus and yielding to the Holy Spirit empowers believers to exercise self-control over desires and compulsions that can lead to addiction.
- Seek God’s Dominion: Addiction is often about something other than God taking dominion over our lives. 1 Corinthians 6:12 reminds believers not to be dominated by anything but to live under the Lordship of Christ. Jesus teaches that our ultimate satisfaction and fulfillment come from our relationship with God, not from the things of this world.
In essence, Jesus’ teachings and the broader biblical narrative encourage individuals to seek freedom, healing, and wholeness in Him, providing the ultimate answer to the problem of addiction.
