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.
Table of contents
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,”
2
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
3
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
4
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
5
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”
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.”
7
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
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?”
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.”
11
“Whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.”
12
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
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.”
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.”
15
“But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.”
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.”
17
“Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat,”
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!”
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.”
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.”
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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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Bible verses about gambling
Many people wonder is gambling a sin? Although there might not be a clear cut verse from what we learn in Scripture I strongly believe it is a sin and all Christians should stay away from it. It is terrible to see that some churches are bringing gambling in the house of God. The Lord is not pleased.
Many people are going to say, well the Bible doesn’t specifically say you can’t do it. The Bible doesn’t specifically say you can’t do a lot of things that we know as sin.
Many people find any excuse they can give for what is wrong, but just like Satan deceived Eve he will deceive many by saying, did God really say you can’t do that?
Quotes
- “Gambling is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.” – George Washington
- “Gambling is a sickness, a disease, an addiction, an insanity, and is always a loser in the long run.”
- “Gambling can be just as addictive as drugs and alcohol. Teens and their parents need to know that they’re not just gambling with money, they’re gambling with their lives.”
- “Gambling is the sure way of getting nothing for something.”
Gambling is of the world, it is very addicting, and it will cause you harm.
Gambling is loving something that is part of the cruel world, not only is it dangerous especially back in the days where many were being plotted on and murdered for their money. Gambling is very addictive, you can go into a casino one day thinking I’m going to spend this much then leave without your car. For some people it’s that bad and it can become even worse.
I’ve heard many stories about people losing their lives for owing money and people losing their lives by committing suicide because of the money they lost. Many people have lost their houses, spouses, and kids over their gambling addiction. You might say that I don’t gamble that much, but it doesn’t matter. Even if it is small fun gambling it is sin and it should not be done. Always remember that sin grows overtime. Your heart becomes harder, your desires become greedier, and it will turn into something that you never saw coming.
1. 1 Corinthians 6:12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say–but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”–but I will not be mastered by anything.
2. 2 Peter 2:19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity–for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”
3. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
4. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.
5. Proverbs 15:27 The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
Gambling leads to more sin.
Not only does gambling lead to deeper and deeper covetousness, but it leads to different types of sin. When you go to the movie theater and buy popcorn they make it extra buttery so you will buy their expensive drinks. When you go to casinos they promote alcohol. When you are not sober you will be trying to kick back and spend more money. Many people who are addicted to gambling are also living in drunkenness. Prostitutes are always near casinos. They entice men who seem like high rollers and they entice men who are down on their luck. It is not a surprise that most casinos promote sensuality and women.
6. James 1:14-15 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Scripture teaches that we are to be on guard against covetousness.
7. Exodus 20:17 Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
8. Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.
9. Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
As Christians we are to fix our attitudes on money.
10. Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
11. Luke 16:13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
What is your eye gazing upon?
Your chance of winning the lottery on a single ticket is one in 175 million. That means that someone has to really be greedy and have dreams of riches to still try and play the lottery. You have to pay for more and more tickets because of your greed and what you are really doing is emptying your pockets because of your covetousness.
Most gamblers throw money away. Most people who go to casinos lose money that could have been used for paying bills or on the less fortunate, but instead people would rather throw it away. It is wasting God’s money on evil, which is similar to stealing.
12. Luke 11:34-35 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.
13. Proverbs 28:22 Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
14. Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
15. Proverbs 28:20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.
We are to be hard workers.
The Bible teaches us to work hard and worry about others. Gambling teaches us to do the opposite. In fact, many of the people who play the lottery are poor. Gambling destroys something that God intended for good. You have to understand that the devil is using it to destroy the foundation of work.
16. Ephesians 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
17. Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.
18. Proverbs 10:4 Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
19. Proverbs 28:19 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
Gambling and betting is giving the appearance of evil.
What would you think if you went inside a casino and you saw your pastor holding money in one hand and rolling dice in another? That picture just wouldn’t look right would it? Now picture yourself doing the same thing. Society does not look at gambling as being honest. The betting industry is a dark world filled with crime. Google treats gambling websites like pornography websites. Gambling websites contain a lot of viruses.
20. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Many churches want to turn God’s house into a place to play bingo and other gambling activities, which is wrong. God’s house is not a place to make profit. It is a place to worship the Lord.
21. John 2:14-16 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
Gambling is not trusting in the Lord.
One of the greatest problems of gambling is it takes away from trusting in the Lord. God says I will provide for your needs. Satan says roll the dice there might be a chance that you win and become filthy rich. You see the problem. When you trust in God nothing is by chance. God provides for our needs and God gets all the glory. Gambling is showing that you don’t really trust in the Lord.
22. Isaiah 65:11 But because the rest of you have forsaken the LORD and have forgotten his Temple, and because you have prepared feasts to honor the god of Fate and have offered mixed wine to the god of Destiny.
23. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Reminders
24. Proverbs 3:7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
25. Proverbs 23:4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.
In conclusion.
You have a higher chance of being struck by lighting than winning the lottery. Most gambling is not made for you to win. It’s made for you to dream about what if I did win. Gambling fails in its attempt to give people hope because most people spend thousands of dollars for nothing. Just take a thousand dollars and throw it in the garbage that is exactly what gamblers do over the course of time. When you have greed you will always lose more than you gain. Gambling is bad for your health and it violates many Scriptures as seen above. Seek hard work and trust in the Lord with your income.
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Bible Verses & Quotes For Addiction & Recovery; Bible Verses About Addiction Free; Encouraging Bible Verses for Addicts; Overcoming Addiction to Drugs, Alcohol, Pornography, Prescriptions, etc. Great Bible Verses For Addiction Recovery. Includes Helpful Addiction Recovery Resources for People Struggling with Addictions & Habitual Sins – such as Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Abuse, Pornography, Sexual Sins, Sexual Impurity, Over Eating, Gluttony or Eating too Much, Gambling and Betting, Alcohol and Drugs, Substance Abuse, Drinking and Drugs, Anorexia, Bulimia, Eating Disorders, Cigarettes, Smoking & Nicotine, Self Injury, Cutting, & More Addiction Bible Verses.
Thoughts (Scroll down for Bible Verses about Addiction, plus More Inspirational & Encouraging Addiction Resources for different types of Addictions)
You CAN, and by God’s grace WILL, overcome your addiction. God is eager to help you, He is definitely able to see you through this, with your co-operation. Keep trusting and believing God. Please, don’t put yourself in situations where you will get tempted. Find a support group and a dependable support partner/friend. Stay strong and positive. Fill your mind with the word of God and surround yourself with people that will help you focus on good things. God is on your side. God forgives and accepts everyone who sincerely comes to him. Do not let anyone convince you otherwise. It is well!!! Please see Below for Bible Verses For Addiction & Recovery. Be Encouraged, and By God’s grace Addiction Free! By God’s grace, you will overcome. You will recover and Be FREE from Addiction to Drugs, Alcohol, Weed, Prescriptions, Addictions, Sexual Addiction, Pornography, etc. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, AMEN! I sincerely hope you find these Addiction Bible Verses Inspirational, Motivational, Uplifting, Encouraging, and Comforting. Much love & Blessings to you, dear friend. Once again, please, be encouraged – and keep your focus on God, our Father!
Bible Verses On Addiction, Addiction Recovery, Overcoming Addiction – Encouraging, Inspirational, Reassuring, Comforting, Motivational and Uplifting Bible Verses to Help Overcome Addictions.
See Also: Bible Verses about Feeling Down; Bible Verses about Feeling Discouraged;
Bible Verses When Going Through Tough Times, Difficult Times, Storms, AdversityBible Verses for When you’re feeling Overwhelmed, Stressed – Encouraging Scriptures
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (KJV)
Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (NIV)
2 Corinthians 12:9a “But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (NLT)
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (NKJV)
Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” ~ KJV Ad.
***We should all remember to constantly encourage each other.
Hebrews 10:25a “Let us not give up meeting together, …but let us encourage one another.” (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “So encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now.” (NCV)
More Encouraging Bible Verses for Overcoming Addiction & Habitual Sins
Isaiah 43:2 “When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.” (NLT)
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV)
Psalm 34:4,5,8 NLT I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (KJV)
Psalm 34:5 “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” (NIV)
Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. (KJV)
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV)
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (KJV)
John 5:14b “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (NIV)
2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” (KJV)
Addiction Recovery Resources – Overcoming Addiction & Habitual Sins
Dear Friends, I pray you have found these Addiction Scriptures Helpful, Encouraging, Motivational & Inspirational. I pray you know that God wants to help you overcome your addiction, no matter what kind of addiction you may be struggling with.
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Isaiah 41:13, ESV For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
***
Please let me know if you need additional Addiction Resources. By God’s grace and God’s Mighty Power, you will find freedom from addictions and habitual sins. God is with us always, and He will certainly help you as you go through this journey. I have confidence that God will see you through as you keep Trusting God. It is well in Jesus’ name!
Thank you for reading. God bless you and fill you with his peace and joy, May your life be a testimony of Victory in Christ, An Inspiration & Encouragement to others – Amen.
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ~ Numbers 6:24 -26, NKJV
Amen.
***
Thanks for reading, Dear Friends!
Have a wonderfully blessed, stress-free, productive, and joyful day!
Much Love & Blessings,
Bomi Jolly ~ JollyNotes.com
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Gambling is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, but there are principles in the Bible that teach how to live for God. From our very first visit to Montana we discovered that some forms of gambling are legal across the state. You can be driving miles from one of the larger cities and come to a gas station that feels in the middle of nowhere and find a casino.
The Bible does not have specific verses the mention the internet, TV, radio, and entertainment but there are Biblical standards we must listen to and follow. By reading and understanding the Bible we can discern what programs to watch, the music we should listen to, and what we should be doing on the internet. The same applies to gambling.
Gambling in the Bible
I Corinthians 6:12 reads:
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
“All things are lawful unto me”. There are activities that we do every day that are no explicitly considered as right or wrong. Pass times and leisure avenues such as riding horses, biking, gardening, hiking, swimming, playing ball, or fishing fall into this category. There is nothing wrong with hobbies like this, so long as they do not take time away from us serving the Lord.
“All things are not expedient”– not all things are profitable. Some activities are not as beneficial and profitable to us as others, but that does not mean they are sin either.
Taking our hard earned money, using it to gamble, and then loosing it is not profitable or godly.
“I will not be brought under the power of any”. When those activities begin to run our lives, then it becomes sin. This verse can apply to many different activities, and it certainly applies to gambling. Many people become slaves to it.
Casting Lots in the Bible
In the Bible people “cast lots” when a decision had to be made. This can be seen in Joshua 18:10, Jonah 1:7, and Acts 1:23-26. Casting lots was very common among many ancient cultures. Money was not used in casting lots.
There is an argument that gambling is entertainment, just like watching a movie, going to a concert, or spending the day at an amusement park. The reasoning is people who are paying to see a concert or a ballgame do not expect more money in return. These are not comparable or equal at all. Instead we must look at the motives behind gambling.
Motives Behind Gambling
1. The love of money is the first motive behind gambling. (I Timothy 6:9-10 and Ecclesiastes 5:10)
2. Coveting — we covet what money can buy. The 10th Commandment in Exodus 20:17 states not do covet. Also see Proverbs 28:22 and Hebrews 13:5.
3. The third motive for gambling is some do not want to work honestly for their wages. This concept can be seen in Ephesians 4:28; II Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 13:11; Genesis 3:19; and Proverbs 10:4. Gambling is a way to get money without honest work.
Sometimes people who work a job will take their earnings and gamble it away. They feel they have a right to do this. However, it is God who gave them the job and the ability to do the work. Everything that own belongs to God and He has given us the responsibility to be wise stewards with the money that is given to us.
A wise steward will give money to God. A wise stewards saves for emergencies. But a wise steward does not loose it in a game foolishly. See I Corinthians 9:7-8; 8:5,12; and Malachi 3:8.
All forms of gambling are wrong including: lotteries, raffles, and bingo games. Any game played in the hopes of winning more money are not acceptable.
People who gamble place their hope in winning against the odds. Psalms 15:13 says that our hope is in the Lord. We are to trust God to supply our needs. Philippians 4:19.
If we trust in God and desire to do His will, God will give us the desires of our hearts. Psalms 37: 4-5.
Gambling As an Addiction
Gambling can turn into an addiction. People then become slaves to that addiction.
II Peter 2:18-20 states that people can be lured astray by others with “swelling words” and false promises. Then you are under bondage to that sin.
This is the same as Romans 6:16. If anyone is conquered by something then he or she is a slave to it. Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:3, 19, and 5:1.
Getting caught up in the habits of sin is the same as being in bondage to it. Don’t let gambling conquer you. Instead let the Lord Jesus Christ guide you. If gambling is a temptation to you or affects someone you love, then we encourage you to take the time to read the verses above. Seek out what the Bible says about gambling and apply it to your life.
Headwaters Baptist Church
www.headwatersbaptist.com
