8 Bible Verses about Addictions
Most Relevant Verses
[Although] these people promise "liberty," they themselves are slaves to corrupting influences, for people are slaves to whatever controls them.
Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.
For I have often told you before, and am telling you again with tears in my eyes, that many people are living as the enemies of the cross of Christ [i.e., their lives oppose the purpose of Christ's death]. Their [ultimate] end is [spiritual] destruction; their god is their appetite; they boast of what they ought to be ashamed of, and they [constantly] think about worldly things.
Older women, likewise, should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine, teachers of what is good.
For when you were [once] slaves to [the practice of] sin, you were free from [being controlled by] righteousness. What benefit did you receive at that time from doing the things you are now ashamed of? For the end of such behavior is [spiritual] death.
But those people who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and [spiritual] destruction. For, loving money is a source of all kinds of evil, [and] some people who crave it have been led astray from the faith, and have stabbed themselves [in the heart] with many sorrows.
Come on now, you rich people, cry and wail over the miseries that are coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted and moths have eaten your clothing. Your gold and silver have tarnished and their tarnish will be a testimony against you [i.e., you have hoarded your wealth instead of using it to benefit others], and they will devour your flesh as fire [i.e., your riches will ultimately consume you]. You have hoarded up your riches in these last days.
"Everything is permissible for me [to do];" but not everything is profitable. [Note: The words in quote marks in this and the following verse are thought to have been commonly held views of that day, to which Paul gives an inspired reply]. "Everything is permissible for me [to do];" but I will not be ruled by anything.