Addiction is a word typically used to describe a person’s dependence upon a substance or habit, either physically or psychologically. Though traditionally used in relation to the abuse of alcohol or drugs, people also use addiction to describe an unhealthy focus on other areas ranging from food to video games.
What does the Bible teach about addiction? First, the Bible clearly notes that addictions are a real problem people face in this world. For example, church leaders could not be addicted to much wine (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7). Sexual purity is also often an area of emphasis in the Bible, teaching believers to flee from sexual immorality, highlighting the addictive nature of sexual sin (1 Corinthians 6:18).
Second, the Bible is clear about finding help for addictions. This help ultimately comes from God as we replace old habits with new ones. Colossian 3:8-10 explains, “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”