The devotion of a person to something, whether sin in general or food, alcohol or wealth in particular, so as to become dependent upon it. A person will never be satisfied in such a state of slavery. The answer to addiction is self-control through the resources of the new life in Christ.
Addiction is the consequence of sin
2 Peter 2:19 See also John 8:34
They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.
Addiction to food, alcohol or drugs is to become dependent upon them
Philippians 3:18–19 See also Isaiah 5:11, Isaiah 28:7–8, Isaiah 56:12; Titus 2:3
For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.
Addiction to wealth is to be controlled by it
Mark 10:21–22 parallel Luke 18:22–23 See also Matthew 26:14–16 parallels Mark 14:10–11, Luke 22:3–6; Acts 16:19, Acts 24:26; 2 Peter 2:15
Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” But the man was saddened by these words and went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.
Addiction never satisfies
Addiction to sinful habits does not satisfy
For when you were slaves to sin, you were free of obligation to righteousness. What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death.
Addiction to food, alcohol or drugs does not satisfy
Ecclesiastes 6:7 See also Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 21:17, Proverbs 23:20–21, Proverbs 23:29–35; Hosea 4:10–11 parallel Matthew 19:21–22
All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.
Addiction to wealth does not satisfy
Ecclesiastes 5:10 See also 1 Timothy 6:9–10; James 5:1–3
He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile.
The answer to addiction: self-control through the new life in Christ
Proverbs 23:1–4; Romans 6:6–7, Romans 6:11–14 See also Proverbs 25:16; Romans 6:16–19, Romans 8:12–15; 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 9:27; Galatians 5:22–23
When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you, and put a knife to your throat if you possess a great appetite. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself.
We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.