Bible Verses About Addiction

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

"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."

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

"For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape."

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound."

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

"He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder."

What does the Bible say about addiction?

Addiction is a chain that promises freedom but delivers slavery. Whether the struggle is with substances, behaviors, or habits, the Bible speaks directly to the bondage that grips the human soul—and offers a way out. Key King James Version passages include John 8:36, 1 Corinthians 6:12, Romans 6:14. This page collects 10 KJV verses about addiction, each quoted in full.

Can God deliver someone from addiction?

Absolutely. John 8:36 promises that 'if the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.' While deliverance may come instantly or through a process, God's power is greater than any addiction. Many believers find freedom through a combination of spiritual disciplines, professional counseling, support groups, and community accountability.

Does the Bible address addiction specifically?

While the word 'addiction' doesn't appear in the KJV, the concepts of bondage, drunkenness, and being 'brought under the power' of anything (1 Corinthians 6:12) are addressed directly. Proverbs 23:29-35 vividly describes alcohol addiction. The Bible's message is clear: anything that controls you other than God is a form of bondage.

Is addiction a sin or a disease?

It can be both. Addiction often begins with sinful choices but develops into a physiological dependency. The Bible addresses both the moral and enslaving aspects — calling sin what it is while acknowledging that people can become 'servants of sin' (John 8:34). Recovery requires spiritual renewal, accountability, and often professional treatment.