What Does the Bible Say About Addiction (Top Verses)

Ever wonder what the Bible says about drug addiction?  The good news is that the Bible can be a resource for support groups, drug users, and treatment programs. 

Some Bible verses about what God says about addiction include the following verse about temptation: 

What Does the Bible Say About Addiction Bible Verses

“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 a way of escape so that you may be able to endure it.”

Over many years, this verse has been cited in addiction recovery and even sobriety. In this specific verse, apostle Paul warns us about being overly confident. We are saying that we are stronger than we are, which can cause many of us to be vulnerable. The true, unbreakable promise God tells us in this verse is that He will always be able to provide us with all the strength to say no when needed. God’s overall strength is how we bear strength. 

All forms of addiction are to be considered as idolatry. If you read the first commandment in the King James Version says, “You shall not have any other gods before Me.” And when you choose your alcohol addiction, as well as any other addiction, over God. You are committing idolatry. The second commandment says, “You shall not bow down to them or serve them” (Exodus 20). Whenever someone is addicted, they bow down to that addiction and serve it as their god. 

Substance abuse kills people every day.  The Bible tells us that people choosing drugs and alcohol over their heavenly Father is sinful.  The Bible also tells us that by the grace of God, we can be from our worldly passions.  There is a way.

Many people have been in addiction recovery, trying to live godly lives. Having a personal relationship with your savior can open many doors to new and exciting opportunities to spend time with him and learn more about what he stands for and how much he loves you.

Over thousands of years, people have become slaves to their addictions. And you may be wondering what exactly the Bible may say about becoming slaves to our addictions. The Bible also specifically mentioned suffering, temptation, and yielding to all wicked, sinful behavior. You should always focus on the fact that love, redemption, and friendship are some of the best core Christian values God has instilled into his people. The holy bible is a great source for any questions you need to be answered, especially if you need guidance. 

Remember that love is the foundation of the only true gospel, which extends redemption and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter what specific path you have decided to travel down; you can always find God’s love, grace, and hope in Jesus Christ. 

What Exactly Is Addiction or The Use of Drugs? 

Whenever you start to do some research while studying the Bible, being able to uncover what the Bible says about drug addiction and alcohol abuse will require you first to understand the disease of addiction as a whole. Addiction happens to be a biopsychosocial disease that is associated with the continuous use of recurrent drugs or alcohol or even just the overwhelming repetitive choice to partake in self-destruction behavior.  People can even become addicted to other things, such as gambling, sex, food, technology, exercise, and much more. 

Some of the most common symptoms of drug addiction:

  • When you are unable to stop using alcohol or drugs on your terms
  • Have no control over using alcohol or drugs
  • Having to rely on drugs or alcohol daily to function
  • Experiencing intense cravings or urges to use drugs or alcohol
  • Taking larger and larger amounts of drugs and alcohol due to high tolerance
  • Making sure you have a constant supply of drugs and alcohol on hand
  • Spending money on drugs or alcohol even though you have no money to spare for it
  • Failing or neglecting your duties at work or school
  • Failing to keep up with your responsibilities at home
  • Isolating yourself from family and friends often
  • Only spending time with other drug addicts
  • Doing criminal activity to obtain drugs or alcohol 
  • Stealing and lying to your family and friends to obtain drugs or alcohol
  • Continuing to use drugs and alcohol despite the consequences
  • Engaging in very risky or even life-threatening behaviors while under the influence
  • Experiencing extreme withdrawal symptoms when you are without drugs or alcohol

What Does The Bible Say About Addiction?

If you are in addiction recovery, you most likely look to the Holy Bible for much-needed guidance and reassurance in your many overwhelming times of stress. However, you may be wondering if God and drug addiction can coexist with one another. However, you should remember that many mentions of addiction within the Bible are not just limited to drugs and alcohol.

The Bible happens to address addiction while it’s in its rawest form – as a compulsive desire for something. Keep reading to learn a few New Testament Bible verses about addiction to alcohol, drugs, and anything else that causes us to stumble aimlessly into sin and turn ourselves away from God’s grace.

1 Corinthians 10:13

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

This verse is a well-known scripture used while discussing the Bible and, of course, addiction. 12-step daily devotionals include Bible verses. The key point of this Bible verse is what teaches people that not only does God never give anyone more burdens than they can handle, but he also provides different ways as solutions to find “a way out” no matter what kind of situation you are facing that could cause you to sin. 

Even though addiction, such as alcohol abuse, often requires specific treatments, this verse on its own should be a big enough reminder that God has a solution that he offers for every situation you may be facing, no matter how severe you think it is.

John 2:16 

“For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — comes not from the Father but from the world.”

The Holy Bible discusses temptation in great detail; some examples – include the stories of Job and Joseph. Our Lord has given all mankind the gift of free will, which keeps us from being constricted so we can make our own choices, even if they are the wrong choices for us. And with the stumbling blocks of this world and the many trials, including alcohol and drugs. To live a fulfilling, happy, free life, you have to listen to the prayers of a righteous person. This alone can be the first step to finding where we belong in our new life.

Thessalonians 5:6-8

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith  and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

In this specific passage, St. Paul talks in great detail about how believers in Jesus must remain alert and aware of everything happening around them. Christians can help many others recognize and, most importantly, understand the word of God.

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.”

This specific Bible verse is generally associated with sexual immorality or temptations; however, you can even apply this larger psychological concept against any form of negative temptation. Even in the scriptures, St Paul talks about the fact that he can have anything he wants but that not everything is good for you—especially drugs and alcohol, which will test your faith.

Ephesians 5:18-20

“Don’t be drunk with wine because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This verse tells the church of Ephesus to completely avoid being drunk, specifically with wine, because it can ruin their lives. Alcohol has been a drink for many centuries and used for many occasions. However, that doesn’t mean that it should be used excessively. Paul advised the Ephesians to control themselves by not overindulging in wine but instead filling themselves with the Holy Spirit because that’s what God would want them to do.

Romans 5:3-5

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

The Lord knows that through those trials and tribulations, we become even stronger than we were had we not experienced them. God’s love is our only redemption from all the different kinds of suffering we experience through the most difficult times. And no matter how hard things get for me and you, especially if you are an addict, we have to remember that our suffering produces endurance.

What Does the Bible Say

Whenever you have questions, God’s word can be the first place to look for the answers. And if alcohol abuse is the problem you are dealing with, the Bible is a resource to help. Take Galatians 5:19-21 for example:

“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.”

The Bible is God’s word, and we can learn much from it. For addicts and alcoholics, the Bible is a resource for strength, spirituality, and love.

About the author
Shannon M
Shannon M's extensive experience in addiction recovery spans several decades. Her journey started at a young age when she attended treatment aftercare sessions for a family member and joined Alateen meetings, a support group for young people affected by a loved one's addiction. In 1994, Shannon personally experienced the challenges of addiction and took the courageous step of joining Alcoholics Anonymous. This experience gave her a unique perspective on the addiction recovery process, which would prove invaluable in her future work. Shannon's passion for helping others navigate the complexities of addiction led her to pursue a degree in English with a minor in Substance Abuse Studies from Texas Tech University. She completed her degree in 1996, equipping her with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide compassionate and effective support to those struggling with addiction. Shannon M both writes for Sober Speak and edits other writer's work that wish to remain anonymous.