Discover What The Bible Verses Say About Addiction

There's addiction and then there's addiction. For the most part, people perceive the subject from two very different perspectives. Some people see addiction as a threat to healthy living. It's something that takes over and engulfs you and carries you to a place and time where everything except one, the source of the addiction, is far away and unfamiliar. These people have been there and know what it's like to be in that place.

Others see addiction as trivial. Addiction is insignificant, unimportant, a state of mind we can choose to let go anytime we want. Addiction, and getting out of it, is a choice, they say.

But it is not that simple, and not that easy. Especially when addiction is such a strong and persistent issue that even the Bible verses had something to say on the subject. Yes, addiction is discussed in the Bible scriptures, across different versions of the Bible. It may even be discussed in other scriptures aside from the Bible. Thing is, addiction was recognized a serious issue for Man even some hundreds or thousands of year ago, well before our time, and it remains a social and cultural barrier to positive growth even today. There is no doubt that there's more to addiction than just being a simple state of mind.

Here is a Bible verse about addiction taken from (1 Cor. 6:9-11):

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

The term 'drunkard' could include any kind of addiction. In fact, it is widely acknowledged that the term was used specifically to refer to addiction. God commanded He would receive no one in His kingdom who is addicted to earthly things. Yet He offers salvation to those who are 'sanctified' and 'justified' in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Bible verses also say about addiction:

'Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.' (Proverbs 20:1)

'Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.' (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

But addiction, no matter the kind, is indeed a choice. It won't disappear overnight, but it is a surmountable obstacle. The first trick to overcoming an addiction is to acknowledge it for what it is: a mere obstacle. And sometimes it is only by hitting rock bottom can the addict expect true change.

It is very much possible to redeem yourself after suffering from an addiction. Writers Ernest Hemingway and Raymond Carver used to be addicted to alcohol, while there's no doubt some of the most renowned scientists and famous personalities in history were addicts at some point in their lives. But it is possible to rise above the ashes. Like mentioned earlier it isn't a miracle waiting to happen overnight. It is a slow and painful process, yet gratifying once achieved, and it requires great patience and determination to see through to the end, one day at a time.

''All things are lawful for me,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful for me,' but I will not be enslaved by anything.' 1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV.

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