In the context of the Bible, the term "addict" as understood in contemporary language does not appear explicitly in the Scriptures. However, the concept of addiction, particularly as it relates to behaviors and substances that can dominate a person's life, can be explored through various biblical principles and teachings.

Biblical Understanding of Addiction

The Bible addresses behaviors and desires that can lead to a form of bondage or enslavement, which aligns with the modern understanding of addiction. The Apostle Paul speaks to this in his letters, emphasizing the importance of self-control and the dangers of being mastered by anything other than God.

1. Enslavement to Sin: In Romans 6:16, Paul writes, "Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?" . This passage highlights the concept of being enslaved to sin, which can be likened to the grip of addiction.

2. Self-Control and Sobriety: The Bible frequently calls for self-control and sobriety, virtues that stand in opposition to addictive behaviors. In Galatians 5:22-23, self-control is listed as a fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law" .

3. Avoiding Drunkenness: While the Bible does not explicitly mention drug addiction, it does address drunkenness, which can be seen as a form of addiction. Ephesians 5:18 warns, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit" . This verse contrasts the loss of control associated with drunkenness with the spiritual fullness found in God.

4. Mastery and Freedom: In 1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul states, "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything" . This highlights the importance of not allowing any habit or substance to gain mastery over one's life, a principle directly applicable to addiction.

Spiritual and Practical Responses

The Bible offers guidance for overcoming behaviors that can lead to addiction, emphasizing reliance on God's strength and the support of the Christian community.

1. Renewal of the Mind: Romans 12:2 encourages believers to be transformed by the renewal of their minds: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God" . This transformation is essential in breaking free from addictive patterns.

2. Confession and Accountability: James 5:16 advises, "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" . Confession and accountability within the Christian community can provide support and encouragement for those struggling with addiction.

3. Seeking God's Strength: Philippians 4:13 offers assurance of divine strength: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" . This verse is a reminder that overcoming addiction is possible through reliance on Christ's power.

4. Living by the Spirit: Galatians 5:16 instructs, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh" . Living by the Spirit involves daily submission to God's will and guidance, which can help in resisting addictive behaviors.

In summary, while the Bible does not directly address modern concepts of addiction, it provides timeless principles for understanding and overcoming behaviors that can enslave individuals, emphasizing the importance of self-control, community support, and reliance on God's strength.1. (p. p.) Addicted; devoted.

2. (v. t.) To apply habitually; to devote; to habituate; -- with to.

3. (v. t.) To adapt; to make suitable; to fit.

ADDICT

a-dikt': Found only in the King James Version of 1 Corinthians 16:15, for Greek tasso. The house of Stephanus is said to be "addicted to the ministry of the saints," i.e. they have so "arranged" their affairs as to make of this service a prime object; the Revised Version (British and American) "set themselves to minister."

5021. tasso -- to draw up in order, arrange
... which latter appears only in certain tenses); to arrange in an orderly manner, ie
Assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot) -- addict, appoint, determine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5021.htm - 7k

How Cyrenius was Sent by Caesar to Make a Taxation Of
... to do almost nothing of themselves; for when they become magistrates, as they are
unwillingly and by force sometimes obliged to be, they addict themselves to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how cyrenius was.htm

The Soul is not to Afflict it Self, nor Intermit Prayer, Because ...
... uses to give to Beginners, to the end that being endowed with that small relish,
as the natural man is with the sensible Object, they may addict themselves to ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap iv the soul is.htm

The Use of Philosophy to the Gnostic.
... But those who give their mind to the unnecessary and superfluous points of philosophy,
and addict themselves to wrangling sophisms alone, abandon what is ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xviii the use of philosophy.htm

The Threefold Kind of Man Feigned by These Heretics: Good Works ...
... 3. Wherefore also it comes to pass, that the "most perfect" among them addict
themselves without fear to all those kinds of forbidden deeds of which the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter vi the threefold kind of.htm

How the Purity of Indifference is to be Practised in the Actions ...
... the old ones; but having got skill and become masters, they sing for the pleasure
which they take in warbling, and they so passionately addict themselves to ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ix how the purity.htm

Use of the Foregoing Discussions.
... And furthermore, those who, desirous of learning, addict themselves to the truth,
will be assisted by our discourse to become, when they have learned the ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xlv use of the foregoing.htm

Epistle Cvii. To Aregius, Bishop of Vapincum .
... For it is unseemly to addict oneself to wearisomeness of affliction for those of
whom it is to be believed that they have attained to true life by dying. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle cvii to aregius bishop.htm

An Appeal to Children of Godly Parents
... out that I was mistaken, I should not have been so foolish as to rejoice that my
sons should follow the same way of life, and should addict themselves with all ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/an appeal to children of.htm

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
... they touched not. Instead of men, they found them girls and boys, Addict
to nothing as to childish toys. Wherefore, good reader, that ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a book for boys and.htm

The Papacy not the Antichrist
... Afterwards he will addict himself to every kind of evil, cruelty, and excess, so
as to surpass all who have been unjust and impious before him; having a bloody ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the papacy not the antichrist.htm

Addict
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ADDICT. a-dikt': Found only in the King
James Version of 1 Corinthians 16:15, for Greek tasso. The ...
/a/addict.htm - 6k

Addicted (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Addict. Multi-Version Concordance
Addicted (9 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 5:11 But what ...
/a/addicted.htm - 9k

Devote (36 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To give up wholly; to addict; to direct the attention of wholly or compound;
to attach; -- often with a reflexive pronoun; as, to devote one's self to ...
/d/devote.htm - 18k

Addi (1 Occurrence)

/a/addi.htm - 7k

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