There are many Bible verses for alcohol addiction. Some of them speak about how the body should be treated, some look at the dangers and consequences of drinking, and others provide the needed counsel and hope to overcome addiction.
What does the Bible say about alcohol addiction?
There are many stories and scripture passages in the Bible that provide lessons and admonitions on the matter of alcohol addiction.
Do not get drunk
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 NIV
This text warns us about not getting drunk. Instead of over indulging in wine we should focus our attention on being filled with the Spirit.
Being filled with the Spirit requires self-control and taking very good care of our bodies. If we neglect our bodies, we make ourselves unworthy vessels. The Holy Spirit wants to dwell in vessels that are treated like God’s temple.
Treat your body sacred
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV
As children of God, we should live our lives to please God and do His will. God wants us to invite the Holy Spirit in our lives by caring for our bodies.
Alcohol addiction is harmful. It hurts our minds and bodies and in essence destroys them. Verse seventeen of this text tells the consequence of destroying our body temples-God will destroy us.
Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom
and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:21 NIV
Here we see drunkenness included in a list of behaviors and practices that will prevent inheritance in the kingdom of God. Living a life that includes overindulgence in alcoholic beverages is not worth it if it’s going to rob you of eternal life.
Be sober minded
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Being alert and sober minded not only has to do with being focused on God’s word. It also looks at your state of mind. Alcohol and addiction are two things that may negatively affect your state of mind.
Consuming a strong drink may impair judgment, balance, and coordination. Alcohol addiction may affect your peace of mind because you are constantly focused on your own desires instead of thinking about the Lord and His goodness.
This is why 1 Corinthians 10:31 encourages that, whatsoever things we do should be to glorify God. It states, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”.
What is a good Bible verse for addiction?
The word of God has numerous Bible verses that provide hope and encouragement for trials of many kinds including addiction and alcohol use.
Pray for healing
Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14 NIV
This is a beautiful prayer for anyone who is struggling with an addiction. It taps into God’s love and good character towards His children. He is ready and willing to heal and save you from whatever problems you are struggling with.
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:15-16 NIV
Pray in faith believing that the Lord will heal your heavy drinking. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power. All you need to do is pray with sincerity of heart and the Lord will respond in your time of need.
The man Christ Jesus is your heavenly high priest who is touched with your infirmities. Seek Him for the healing you so desire and He will come through for you.
Be in control your mind
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Romans 12 gives great advice on how to treat your body and control your mind to focus on the things of God. By the renewal of your mind, you can slowly overcome alcohol addiction as you take the path to addiction recovery. Instead of surrounding yourself with bad company who will pressure you to drink, find treatment programs that will help you recover.
Philippians 4:8 is also a great verse that will help you to focus your thoughts on the will of God when the temptation of alcoholic drinks presents itself. It states, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things“.
Be in control of your body
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV
This text is a great passage that looks at self-control and temperance. The apostle shows how and why he exercises self-discipline and also reminds each of us what is at stake.
Athletes are governed by discipline and self-control and this makes them better than their competitors. If they win, they receive a prize. As followers of Christ, we too have to be disciplined in order to win a heavenly reward.
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8 NIV
In the story of Daniel, we see how being in control of what we eat and drink affects our health. Daniel could have opted to live a lavish life but instead he chose a simple diet. In the end he was healthier than all who consumed the lavish meals.
We are also reminded in Titus 2:6 to encourage each other to be disciplined. The text states, “Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled”.
Take your addiction to Jesus
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 NIV
The Lord is always ready and willing to unburden us from the cares of this life. Coping with substance abuse, drug addiction and other illnesses may be challenging but not impossible.
God’s word promises to give you rest if you go to Him when you are weary and burdened. The first step to recovering from addiction is to take it to the Lord. Through the grace of God, you will overcome.
Find peace in Jesus
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
In John chapter fourteen Jesus promised He is going to prepare a place for all believers. He also promised that He will give us peace and we should not let our hearts be troubled.
The testing of your faith may be somehow linked to alcohol or addiction and this may cause you to worry. The word of God tells you not to worry but to embrace the peace that Jesus Christ promises.
You can overcome temptation
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. ¹⁴Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:13-14 NIV
This is a great text to meditate on if you or a family member is struggling with addiction. It’s a beautiful promise that provides hope when you are faced with temptation. Claim this promise and believe that God will provide a way of escape for all addictive behaviors.
With the help of the Lord, you or your family members will overcome the lust of the flesh and addictive behaviors will no longer be a stumbling block in your way.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, Romans 5:3-4 ESV
It is through our trials that the Lord shapes us into His likeness. When we get to the point where we realize we can’t do things in our own strength we have no choice but to depend on Him.
It is through depending on Him to help us when we can’t help ourselves that we develop trust and grow faith. Only when you overcome an addiction can you give thanks and testify to others about your victory. That’s the true essence of rejoicing in your suffering.
Is alcoholism a sin in the Bible?
In the Bible, anything or anyone that is put before God is considered idol worship and a sin. Look at it this way if you desire alcohol to the point where you absolutely have to consume it you are putting your desire above God.
In Exodus 20:3 God warns the children of Israel that they should not worship any other God. If you are controlled by addiction then it is like a god that has power over you.
Don’t get intoxicated
When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Genesis 9:21 NIV
The story of Noah has many important lessons. As a result of intoxication Noah left himself exposed and vulnerable, Ham offended him, and a curse was placed on Canaan as a result.
In this story intoxication not only affected Noah but also his children and grandchildren. This is why it’s important to consider habits and practices because they affect you, your family, and the people you love.
Sin will not inherit the kingdom
nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:10 NIV
If it is your desire to inherit eternal life then you will have to stay away from stealing, slandering, drunkenness, and other bad practices.
Drinking has consequences
Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! ³² In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Proverbs 23:31-32 NIV
This text is a reminder of the temptation that may arise when we see wine and other alcoholic beverages. We should not be tempted to consume them because at first, they seem very appealing but in the end our drinking only leads to disaster.
Don’t be led astray by strong drinks
Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. Proverbs 20:1 NIV
Temptation is met with two possible outcomes. You may submit and sin or you may resist and conquer. Submitting to the temptation of wine and other alcoholic beverages is an unwise choice.
This is why Isaiah 5:1 warns about drinking. It states, “Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine”. Certainly, there will be great grief, distress or sorrow for anyone with an impulsive desire to drink strong drinks.
Your body is holy
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 NIV
Alcohol abuse may lead to many illnesses. The liver, kidney, bladder, and heart are some organs that may become damaged because of alcohol consumption.
Bodies destroyed by addiction are tainted and are not considered as living sacrifices that are holy and acceptable to God. This is why 1 Corinthians 3:17 offers strict guidelines on how to care for the body. It states, “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple”.
Your body is the temple of God and if you neglect to treat it as such there will be dire consequences not just for your health but for where you will spend eternity.
Conclusion
The Bible speaks about the dangers of alcohol addiction and why drinking wine and other strong drinks should be avoided. It also has a number of texts that provide hope and comfort for anyone who needs help to overcome alcohol addiction.
Leave a Reply