Addiction is defined as a chronic brain system dysfunction which is a compulsive pursuit of “fulfillment” even if the reward is sinful. While the King James Bible does not address the issue of addiction using such terms, God does speak much about sin.
Bible Verses About Addiction KJV
May this list of Bible verses about addiction, which is not comprehensive, be a help someone who struggling with addictive sin to gain the victory that God wants them to have over their addiction.
1 Corinthians 10:13
God can both heal bodies and minds, including giving people victory over their addictions.
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, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV)
God assures us that although we may be tempted, and we are in this life, an addict knows far too well, that He will make sure He provides a way to escape the temptation. It is up to us to remember this verse and diligently look for God’s way of escape.
Proverbs 25:28
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. (KJV)
God wants us to be in control of ourselves. We need to control our sinful desires, not have them control us.
Romans 7:18-19
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (KJV)
The great Apostle Paul struggled with doing what was right. While it is not known what particular sins or evil, he struggled with, he admitted his struggle. Therefore it is not unusual for any of us to have a similar struggle against sin. Any addict can identify with Paul. But Paul disciplined himself so that God could use him in a very great way.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)
Psychologists say that addiction is a brain disorder, a problem with the mind. God has given us a sound mind. But it is our responsibility to utilize it and ask Him for help in our addictions. If you feel that you don’t have a sound mind, it is not God’s fault.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (KJV)
An addict is a person who has been devoured by Satan.
Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. (KJV)
Alcohol abuse is a common form of addiction. Solomon in this verse says someone addicted to alcohol is not wise.
1 Corinthians 15:33
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (KJV)
At first glance, this verse does not seem to have any reference to addiction. But backbiting and gossip can be addictive. When we make a habit of talking evil about someone, it becomes evident in our lack of good manners.
Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (KJV)
After we have accepted God’s great salvation from hell, He expects us to utilize His power to live holy lives in this world. Being the slave to some sort of addictive sinful behavior is wrong and should not be characterized in the life of a child of God.
James 1:12-15
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (KJV)
This verse gives the wonderful promise of a future crown of life to those who with God’s help overcome temptation. It also explains how someone can become addicted when they follow their sinful lusts. Although addiction brings a temporary pleasurable reward, it is still a sin and the ultimate end is death.
Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (KJV)
This verse is a dual command. First, it is a command against getting drunk. Second, it is a command for you to allow God’s spirit to fill you. Although every Christian has God’s Holy Spirit, we can either yield to Him or quench His Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) by insisting on doing our sinful actions.
Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (KJV)
An addict, especially one who continues in their addiction, is in bondage. God wants His people to be free.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (KJV)
An addict may compare their cravings to whispering devils. To make them flee, one must first submit themselves to God and then resist the devil who is ultimately behind such cravings.
Romans 13:13-14
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (KJV)
This is a command from God that compasses several types of addictions such as alcohol abuse, sexual sin, and even uncontrolled anger and envy. To have victory over such vices, we are to remember Christ Jesus, His Word, and not allow ourselves to be enticed into doing such sins.
Romans 6:16
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (KJV)
Being addicted to any sort of sin, makes one a servant to that sin. The addict obeys the call of the temptation. Sin leads to death.
Psalm 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (KJV)
This is a precious promise to any addict. When they are tempted to sin, God wants to deliver them, but it is up to us to ask God to do so. Then praise Him for His deliverance!
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)
This sobering verse does not say that the people described have lost their salvation, rather it says that they have lost their inheritance in God’s kingdom. A Christian can be in bondage to such addictions and still go to heaven, but they will have lost their rewards.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)
An addict who has accepted Christ, “be in Christ”, is a new person. Now while he may still struggle with his old addictive sins, he has the power of Christ to deliver him from them.
Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. (KJV)
A wise-thinking person understands the problems of any type of sinful addiction and will take the necessary measures to keep from those evil things. But the simple, the unthinking, the unwise person does not consider, and they get punished.
John 8:34
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (KJV)
An addict sinning is serving that particular sin. Their sin controls them.
Hebrews 4:15-16
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)
It is comforting to know that Jesus when He was on earth was tempted just like we are tempted, but He did not yield to sin. He is our perfect example. When we are weak and tempted to sin, He wants us to ask Him to help because He both understands and is powerful enough to help us.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (KJV)
Addictive behaviors are destructive. A Christian’s body is the dwelling place of God’s Spirit. Therefore it is up to us as the caretakers of the temple of God to protect our bodies, not engage in activities and ingest substances that would weaken and eventually destroy our body.
Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (KJV)
Guided by God’s spirit we will go right. God will not lead His people into sin, but it is up to us to yield our will to His.
2 Peter 2:19
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (KJV)
This verse shows the deceitfulness of sin. An addict craves their “fix” for a fleeting sense of freedom when in fact it is rather bondage to whatever they are craving.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (KJV)
God says here the results of fornication are worse than other sins since the sin of sex outside of marriage – fornication harms our bodies.
Romans 8:5-6
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (KJV)
Addiction gives neither life nor peace. It takes both away. Thinking only about fleshly (carnal) things leads to death. We need to take care of our bodies even while we discipline our minds to obey the leading of God’s Spirit.
Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (KJV)
The word “mortify” means to put to death. Something dead cannot control us. When we kill the sins to which we are addicted, then they can no longer bother us.
Isaiah 5:11
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! (KJV)
This verse accurately describes an alcoholic. And God through the prophet Isaiah pronounces a woe, a curse on them.
1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. (KJV)
This verse teaches separation. When a Christian is addicted, or even makes it a habit, to practice one of the sins listed here, then having company with them, even sharing a meal, is forbidden. Because inadvertently in doing so you are condoning their sinfulness.
Psalm 121:1-2
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. (KJV)
An addict needs help. This verse tells the source of their help. It is from the Lord, the powerful Creator. The same One Who created all things is the same Person Who will help all those who come to Him.
Matthew 5:28
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (KJV)
This verse does not say it is wrong to look at a woman, but rather when looking for the intention of lusting, which can be addictive, is the sin of adultery.
Hosea 4:11
Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart. (KJV)
This small verse is a solemn warning to protect our hearts. Knowing what harms our hearts shows what we need to avoid.
Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)
A sacrifice has no mind of its own. As a living sacrifice, this verse tells us to live for God. Living for God means that we cannot allow ourselves to be the slave of any addiction. One of the ways to make sure that our bodies are living sacrifices is to have our minds renewed with the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
Hebrews 2:18
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (KJV)
Jesus Himself knew what it was like to be tempted by the devil. He resisted the temptation. But the fact that He was tempted, He is sympathetic to those who are tempted and He will help them.
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (KJV)
Just as Satan’s offer looked good to Eve in the Garden of Eden, so too does his offers appeal to us today. Sin appears as something very appealing when it is very destructive.
John 3:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (KJV)
The addict loves their sin. Despite knowing how destructive their habit is, and how evil their actions are, they enjoy it and do not want it to stop.
Psalm 94:17-18
Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up. (KJV)
The Lord, our master, is also our Helper even in the area of addictions. When temptation comes our way, we need to ask Him to help us.
Psalm 19:13
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. (KJV)
We may think that we can control our sins, therefore we may allow ourselves to dabble in them. But in reality, our prayer should be like this verse, that God would keep us from sins so they would not control us.
1 Peter 2:11
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (KJV)
The fleshly lusts of addiction is truly an assault against a person’s soul. To help cope, Peter says to remember that this present world is not our permanent home, Christians are only in this world for a temporary time.
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Addiction to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are not from God, therefore all of the above is from Satan himself.
Proverbs 6:27
Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? (KJV)
Dabbling in sin always takes us farther and costs more than we intend.
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (KJV)
Knowing that our flesh is weak, we need to always be on guard, carefully watch ourselves, and pray.
Lamentations 3:40
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. (KJV)
It is a good thing to examine ourselves and in the area where we have failed, to commit them to God. He alone is our help.
Matthew 5:13
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (KJV)
A Christian who is addicted to some sort of sin is useless in the service of God. God wants His people to be useful to Him. If He cannot use them for His service and His glory, He says they are good for nothing.
1 Corinthians 3:17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (KJV)
Addictions defile our bodies. The body of a Christian is the house, the temple of God. Therefore it is our responsibility to keep this particular temple clean and holy for God’s use. If we don’t, God may allow the sins to which we are addicted, to destroy us.
Click here for more King James Bible verses about addictions, specifically those against drinking alcohol.
Use of the Word Addicted in the KJV
The single time the word addicted is used in the King James Bible is in a positive context.
1 Corinthians 16:15
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
Being addicted to the ministry of what God as called, is a good addiction which leads which brings joy and blessings.
May these Bible verses about addiction from the King James version of the holy Bible, both warn and encourage us knowing that God both judges sin, but is ready to help any sinner who turns to Him for help.
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