5 Ways Addiction Is Dangerous, According to the Bible
The Bible provides wisdom and sober warnings on the subject of addiction and alcohol. Here are five ways addiction is dangerous, according to Bible verses that refer to alcohol and alcoholism.
1. Alcoholic Addiction Can Control You
The Bible places considerable emphasis on personal responsibility. Each person is responsible to God for his or her actions (Romans 14:12, KJV). So allowing someone or something else to take control over your actions can be very harmful, since those actions are still going to be called into account.
As both an addictive substance and a consciousness-altering one, alcohol can impair your judgement and wisdom. The Bible points this out in several places (Hosea 4:11, ASV; Isaiah 28:7, KJV). This can cause you to do things that would go against your conscience if you were free of the addiction and influence of alcohol.
The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of keeping control over your actions (1 Corinthians 6:12, KJV), and of not being "brought under the power" of any influence or habit.
2. Addiction Harms Your Mental Health
Proverbs has several warnings about how alcoholic addiction can harm your mental state. It mentions that "those who tarry long over wine" are likely to have problems such as "woe" and "sorrow" (Proverbs 23:29-35, KJV).
While these problems may not translate directly into mental health issues, they certainly won't have a positive effect on your mental state. Addiction itself is considered a mental health issue and can often occur with other mental health disorders.
3. Alcohol Addiction Harms Physical Health
Although the Bible does offer an example of using wine medicinally, it also acknowledges that alcoholism can harm your health physically. It describes symptoms such as bloodshot eyes and "wounds without cause" (Proverbs 23:29, KJV).
Modern knowledge about the use of alcohol bears this out, since it's common knowledge that alcoholism can increase the chances of several serious health conditions such as liver problems, blood pressure problems, digestive problems, heart problems, and strokes.
4. Addiction Can Be Disastrous to Financial Health
Your finances can also suffer from an addiction, which the Bible notes. For example, Proverbs mentions that alcoholism and poverty are closely associated (Proverbs 23:21, KJV).
Addiction itself could directly cost you money, but some of the other effects of addiction (such as mental and physical health effects) may also compound the financial strain.
5. Alcohol Can Compromise Relationships and Leadership Positions
The Bible also warns that alcohol use can set a negative example for others (Romans 14:21, KJV), and that those in leadership positions or positions of power should be especially wary of this.
Proverbs mentions that the influence of alcohol can cause a king to make errors in judgement, for instance (Proverbs 31:4-5, KJV). Paul notes that consuming alcohol can prevent someone from qualifying as a deacon, presumably for this reason (1 Timothy 3:8, KJV).
As you can see, the Bible takes alcoholic addiction seriously. Anyone who finds themselves with an alcohol problem should seek help right away to avoid the dangers.
While the Bible doesn't offer defined steps to recovery from addiction, it does provide hope and inspiration for those looking to break free from addiction's control over their lives. "For freedom did Christ set us free," says the book of Galatians (Galatians 5:1, ASV). ". . . Be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage."
Sources
biblestudytools.com - Compare Translations for 1 Corinthians 6:12
biblestudytools.com - Compare Translations for Proverbs 23:29
nimh.nih.gov - Substance Use and Mental Health: Drugs and Alcohol
cdc.gov - Alcohol Use and Your Health