Addiction has many faces – alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, food, phones. Those who are addicted often know that something is wrong, yet they cannot break free. The Bible does not condemn people in this situation, but offers them freedom. Here you will find 23 Bible verses about addiction. And if you are affected yourself: accepting help is a courageous step. In Germany, you can reach the Addiction & Drugs Hotline at 01806 313031.
Honest before God
Verses for the moment when you admit your addiction.
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For I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwells nothing good. I will well, but to accomplish the good I find not. For the good that I will, that I do not; but the evil that I will not, that I do.
Romans 7,18-19
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O wretched man that I am! who will deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our LORD.
Romans 7,24-25a
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For my sins go over my head; like a heavy burden are they become too heavy for me.
Psalm 38,5Guilt
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And drew me out of the terrible pit and out of the mire and set my feet upon a rock, that I surely may tread.
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I have all power; yet it profiteth not all. I have all power; yet let me be taken by nothing.
1 Corinthians 6,12FreedomSelf-control
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And promise them freedom, though they themselves are indeed servants of perdition. For from whom a man is overcome, of that servant is he become.
2 Peter 2,19
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Where is woe? where is sorrow? where is strife? where is complaining? where are wounds without cause? where are dim eyes? Where one lies in wine and comes, to drink out what is poured.
Proverbs 23,29-30
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God, help me; for the water comes up to my soul. I sink in the deep mire, where there is no ground; I am in deep water, and the flood will drown me.
Psalm 69,2-3Suffering
God frees
Assurances for the path to freedom.
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If now the Son frees you, so you are indeed free.
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Therefore continue in freedom, wherewith Christ has freed us, and let yourselves not again be taken in the bondage of the yoke.
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For sin shall not reign over you, since you are not under the law, but under grace.
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It has not yet entered you any temptation, save that which is human; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength, but will make provision for an escape from temptation, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10,13TemptationFaithfulness
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Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old is passed away, behold, all is become new!
2 Corinthians 5,17New beginningConversion
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And I am full of good assurance, that he which hath begun a good work in you will also perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1,6EncouragementBirthday
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The goodness of the LORD it is, that we are not utterly consumed; his mercy hath no end, and his lovingkindness is great.
Lamentations 3,22-23New beginningMercy
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He giveth strength unto the feeble, and to the weak he increaseth might.
Isaiah 40,29AlmightyEncouragement
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They that cried unto the LORD in their need, and he helped them out of their fears, and led them out of darkness and gloom, and brake their bonds.
Psalm 107,13-14Deliverer
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And he brought me out into a wide place. He delivered me; for he had pleasure in me.
Psalm 18,20Freedom
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Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11,28WorkExhaustion
Not alone
Community and help are part of the path.
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For it is good for two, rather than for one; for they shall enjoy their work together. If one fall, his companion shall help him up. Woe unto him that is alone! If he fall, there is none to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4,9-10LonelinessFriendship
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Bear one another's burdens, and ye shall fulfil the law of Christ.
Galatians 6,2CommunityCompassion
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Confess one's sins to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
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He that denieth his iniquity shall not prosper; but he that confesseth and despiseth it shall obtain mercy.
Proverbs 28,13Confession of sins
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
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Addiction and faith
Paul describes an inner struggle that many people with addiction know: “For the good that I will, that I do not; but the evil that I will not, that I do” (Romans 7,19). He ends with a cry: “O wretched man that I am! who will deliver me?” – and an answer: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our LORD” (Romans 7,24-25). Addiction is not simply a weakness of will in the Bible, but a form of captivity. And the message of the Bible is a message of liberation: “If now the Son frees you, so you are indeed free” (John 8,36).
Accepting help
Liberation rarely happens overnight and almost never alone. Many who have been freed from an addiction tell of prayer – and of people who went with them: self-help groups, counseling centers, therapy, friends. The Bible expressly encourages not to hide weakness: “Confess one's sins to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed” (James 5,16). First points of contact are the family doctor's office, local addiction counseling centers (for example from Diakonie and Caritas), the Addiction & Drugs Hotline 01806 313031 and the Telephone Counseling Service 0800 111 0 111. You can find further verses about Bible verses about dependence on God, Bible verses about freedom and Bible verses for a new beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about addiction?
The Bible describes addiction as captivity (2 Peter 2,19) and promises freedom through Christ (John 8,36; Galatians 5,1). It encourages not to hide weakness and to accept help (James 5,16).
Where can I find help with addiction?
In Germany, local addiction counseling centers, the family doctor's office, the Addiction & Drugs Hotline (01806 313031) and the Telephone Counseling Service (0800 111 0 111) help. Self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or the Blue Cross also support those affected.
