The term “addiction” has changed its meaning over time. Different substances have been classified as addictive, and even activities or people can become an addiction. However, one thing that is universally acknowledged is that an addiction is something that has a level of control over a person’s life. While these substances, activities, or people may not be sinful, it is biblically wrong to be addicted to any one thing.
Firstly, in order to have a biblical view of addictions, one must define addiction and what the Bible says about it. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines addiction as “a compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal” or “a strong and harmful need to regularly have something or do something.” Addiction, therefore, is a need for something to the extent that someone may do anything in order to have that need fulfilled. Exodus 20:3, 1 Corinthians 6:12, and 1 John 5:21 all teach that we are not to have idols or anything in power over us except God. The Bible clearly states that while all things may be permissible to Christians under the freedom God has given us through
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People who abuse drugs and alcohol become addicted to the feeling obtained from these substances. It becomes something that the addict consistently thinks about and needs. The addictive substance takes control of the addicts’ life. (1) While common addictions are alcohol and drugs, the question has come up that caffeine can also be classified as an addiction. Some articles state that caffeine should not be classified as an addictive because its use is not harmful and users of caffeine are not compelled to use it. (2) However, it has been noted that when caffeine is used on a regular basis, it is linked to several health problems and becomes an unconscious “need” in a person’s life.