One of the guys at the Men’s Home Bible Study looked totally shocked when I said “The word ADDICTION doesn’t appear in the Bible.” One of the reasons for this is because ADDICTION is a relatively new word in our vocabulary, originating in the mid 1600s. There is an isolated reference to the word being connected to tobacco from 1779, and the earliest account of it being used in reference to opium is from 1906. So, you can see why the Bible wouldn’t specifically use the word ADDICT or ADDICTION, since the word was not yet originated.
But, I went on to tell the men at the Bible Study, “Even though the word ADDICTION does not appear in the Bible there are plenty of other words completely synonymous with it.” From there, I gave them the Webster Dictionary definition for ADDICTION: a persistent, compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful. We further defined the word COMPULSIVE since that word could be misunderstood: an irresistible, persistent impulse to perform an act. Now, with these modern definitions in mind we went to the Bible to find Bible words that connected with these definitions.
The first word we studied was the Greek word PRASSO which means: to practice (an action) continually, perform repeatedly or habitually. Doesn’t that sound much like the meaning of the word ADDICTION? Paul uses the word PRASSO in Romans 7:19 when he says, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” Most addicts know they are doing wrong/evil, but they keep on doing it anyway. As we read this verse of scripture I could see some of the guys shaking their heads in agreement with Paul’s words… they don’t want to do “wrong” but they are in the grip of PRASSO, so they keep doing it anyway… they are ADDICTED. Paul gives the solution to this dilemma just a few verses down from 19 when he says “Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Friend, the word ADDICTION is a relatively new word, but make no mistake… since the time Adam fell, all humanity has persistently and impulsively practiced deeds that they know are harmful to themselves. There is good that you want to do, but the bad that you don’t want to do you keep on doing because it’s part of this fallen human nature. The only way to escape it is to turn to God, through Jesus Christ who said “I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE” (John 14:6).
For those interested, I have 3 other Bible words that I incorporated into the lesson last night, synonymous with the word ADDICTION. ASELGEIA is a Greek word with the modern-day meaning of “unrestrained”. It is found in Ephesians 4:19. Many translations rename it “sensuality”… being so controlled by our senses that moral restraints are overlooked.
DOULEOU is another word we studied which is found in Titus 3:3. It is a Greek word meaning “be in bondage”. The ADDICT is in bondage to his own desires. He listens to the voice of his master… He has no personal freedom for he must do what his ADDICTION tells him to do… He is BOUND.
The final word we studied was the Greek word BASILEOU which means “to reign over, to rule.” It is found in Romans 6:12 in reference to allowing “sin to reign in your mortal body.” Just like with the word DOULEOU the person in addiction is subject to the authority of the one who REIGNS OVER him. He has no authority of his own, otherwise he would not obey and submit to his own fleshly addictions.
If you know someone who has an addiction perhaps you thought that the Bible doesn’t really address the idea of addiction thoroughly… now you know different.
