VERSES ABOUT VICES AND ADDICTIONS

Addiction and bad habits can be so destructive. Think about it, addiction is clinging to something—a behavior, a substance, an activity, even a person—that's actually harming you. So many of us struggle with these things, feeling trapped by a vice or an addiction. Sometimes, we feel like it's because of our past.

But here's the truth: in God, we're free. Christ set us free from all of that and forgave our sins. If you keep dwelling on the past, those chains can really hold you back. Sometimes, these struggles can even stem from negative spiritual influences, finding a foothold and coming to light when we unknowingly open a door, giving the enemy a legal right to step in.

You have the power to let go of what's binding you. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of bondage you need to address. Receive God's forgiveness and His healing. He's there for you.

I pray that we all find freedom from anything that's hurting us and holding us back. Just like it says in John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

So it will be in that day,that his burdenwill be removedfrom your shouldersand his yokefrom your neck,and the yokewill be brokenbecauseof fatness.

Jesusansweredthem, "Truly,truly,I sayto you, everyonewho commitssinis the slaveof sin.

Allthingsare lawfulfor me, but not all thingsare profitable.All thingsare lawfulfor me, but I will not be masteredby anything.

Submitthereforeto God.Resistthe deviland he will fleefrom you.

Thereforeifanyoneis in Christ,[he is] a newcreature;the old thingspassed away;behold,new thingshave come.

"Soifthe Sonmakes you free,you will be freeindeed.

Notemptationhas overtakenyou but such as is common to man;and Godis faithful,whowill not allowyou to be temptedbeyondwhatyou are able,but with the temptationwill providethe way of escapealso,so that you will be ableto endureit.

But puton the LordJesusChrist,and makenoprovisionfor the fleshin regardto [its] lusts.

The LORDis my rockand my fortressand my deliverer,My God,my rock,in whom I takerefuge;My shieldand the hornof my salvation,my stronghold.

"Keep watchingand prayingthat you may not enterinto temptation;the spiritis willing,but the fleshis weak."

The LORDis my shepherd,I shall not want.He makes me liedownin greenpastures;He leadsme besidequietwaters.He restoresmy soul;He guidesme in the pathsof righteousnessFor His name'ssake.EventhoughI walkthrough the valleyof the shadowof death,I fearnoevil,for You are with me; Your rodand Your staff,they comfortme.

For allthat is in the world,the lustof the fleshand the lustof the eyesand the boastful prideof life,is not from the Father,but is from the world.

castingallyour anxietyon Him, becauseHe caresfor you.

O LORDmy God,I criedto You for help,and You healedme.

I soughtthe LORD,and He answeredme, And deliveredme from allmy fears.

Commityour wayto the LORD,Trustalso in Him, and He will doit.

Trustin the LORDwith allyour heartAnd do not leanon your own understanding.In allyour waysacknowledgeHim, And He will makeyour pathsstraight.

[The righteous] cry,and the LORDhearsAnd deliversthem out of alltheir troubles.The LORDis nearto the brokenheartedAnd savesthose whoare crushedin spirit.

Createin me a cleanheart,O God,And renewa steadfastspiritwithinme.

For You, Lord,are good,and readyto forgive,And abundantin lovingkindnessto allwho callupon You.

Do not fear,for I am with you; Do not anxiously lookabout you, for I am your God.I will strengthenyou, surelyI will helpyou, SurelyI will upholdyou with My righteousrighthand.'

He who dwellsin the shelterof the MostHighWill abidein the shadowof the Almighty.I will sayto the LORD,"My refugeand my fortress,My God,in whom I trust!"

Blessthe LORD,O my soul,And forgetnoneof His benefits;Who pardonsallyour iniquities,Who healsallyour diseases;Who redeemsyour lifefrom the pit,Who crownsyou with lovingkindnessand compassion;

Then they criedout to the LORDin their trouble;He savedthem out of their distresses.He broughtthem out of darknessand the shadowof deathAnd broketheir bandsapart.

Your wordI have treasuredin my heart,That I may not sinagainst You.

He healsthe brokenheartedAnd bindsup their wounds.

Watchover your heartwith alldiligence,For from it [flow] the springsof life.

Can a mantakefirein his bosomAnd his clothesnot be burned?Orcan a manwalkon hot coalsAnd his feetnot be scorched?

Wineis a mocker,strongdrinka brawler,And whoeveris intoxicatedby it is not wise.

Listen,my son,and be wise,And directyour heartin the way.Do not be with heavydrinkersof wine,[Or] with gluttonouseatersof meat;For the heavydrinkerand the gluttonwill cometo poverty,And drowsinesswill clothe[one] with rags.

Whohas woe?Whohas sorrow?Whohas contentions?Whohas complaining?Whohas woundswithoutcause?Whohas rednessof eyes?Those who lingerlong overwine,Those who goto tastemixedwine.Do not lookon the winewhenit is red,Whenit sparklesin the cup,When it goesdownsmoothly;At the lastit biteslike a serpentAnd stingslike a viper.

[Like] a citythat is brokeninto [and] withoutwallsIs a manwhohasnocontrolover his spirit.

"The steadfastof mindYou will keepin perfectpeace,Becausehe trustsin You."Trustin the LORDforever,For in GODthe LORD,[we have] an everlastingRock.

He givesstrengthto the weary,And to [him who] lacksmightHe increasespower.Though youthsgrowwearyand tired,And vigorousyoungmenstumblebadly,Yet those who waitfor the LORDWill gainnewstrength;They will mountup [with] wingslike eagles,They will runand not gettired,They will walkand not becomeweary.

"For I am the LORDyour God,who upholdsyour righthand,Who saysto you, 'Do not fear,I will helpyou.'

But now,thussaysthe LORD,your Creator,O Jacob,And He who formedyou, O Israel,"Do not fear,for I have redeemedyou; I have calledyou by name;you are Mine!"Whenyou passthrough the waters,I will be with you; And through the rivers,they will not overflowyou. Whenyou walkthroughthe fire,you will not be scorched,Norwill the flameburnyou.

"I have wipedout your transgressionslike a thickcloudAnd your sinslike a heavymist.Returnto Me, for I have redeemedyou."

But He was piercedthroughfor our transgressions,He was crushedfor our iniquities;The chasteningfor our well-being[fell] upon Him, And by His scourgingwe are healed.

"Is thisnot the fastwhich I choose,To loosenthe bondsof wickedness,To undothe bandsof the yoke,And to letthe oppressedgofreeAnd breakeveryyoke?

Healme, O LORD,and I will be healed;Saveme and I will be saved,For You are my praise.

For I knowthe plansthat I havefor you,' declaresthe LORD,'plansfor welfareand not for calamityto giveyou a futureand a hope.

"Moreover, I will giveyou a newheartand puta newspiritwithinyou; and I will removethe heartof stonefrom your fleshand giveyou a heartof flesh."I will putMy Spiritwithinyou and causeyou to walkin My statutes,and you will be carefulto observeMy ordinances.

Do not rejoiceover me, O my enemy.ThoughI fallI will rise;ThoughI dwellin darkness,the LORDis a lightfor me.

And do not leadus into temptation,but deliverus from evil.[For Yoursis the kingdomand the powerand the gloryforever.Amen].'

"But seekfirstHis kingdomand His righteousness,and allthese thingswill be addedto you.

"Cometo Me, allwho are wearyand heavy-laden,and I will give you rest."TakeMy yokeupon you and learnfrom Me, for I amgentleand humblein heart,and YOU WILL FINDRESTFOR YOUR SOULS."For My yokeis easyand My burdenis light."

And He saidto her, "Daughter,your faithhas made you well;goin peaceand be healedof your affliction."

"For nothingwill be impossiblewith God."

"THE SPIRITOF THE LORDIS UPON ME, BECAUSEHE ANOINTEDME TO PREACH THE GOSPELTO THE POOR.HE HAS SENTME TO PROCLAIMRELEASETO THE CAPTIVES,AND RECOVERY OF SIGHTTO THE BLIND,TO SETFREETHOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,

But He said,"The things that are impossiblewith peopleare possiblewith God."

"For Godsolovedthe world,that He gaveHis only begottenSon,that whoeverbelievesin Him shall not perish,but haveeternallife."For Goddid not sendthe Soninto the worldto judgethe world,but that the worldmight be savedthroughHim.

ThenJesusagainspoketo them, saying,"I amthe Lightof the world;he who followsMe will not walkin the darkness,but will havethe Lightof life."

and you will knowthe truth,and the truthwill make you free."

"The thiefcomesonlyto stealand killand destroy;I camethat they may havelife,and have[it] abundantly.

Jesussaidto him, "I amthe way,and the truth,and the life;no onecomesto the Fatherbut throughMe.

"PeaceI leavewith you; My peaceI giveto you; not as the worldgivesdo I giveto you. Do not let your heartbe troubled,norlet it be fearful.

"I amthe vine,you are the branches;he who abidesin Me and I in him, he bearsmuchfruit,for apartfrom Me you candonothing.

"These thingsI have spokento you, sothat in Me you may havepeace.In the worldyou havetribulation,but take courage;I have overcomethe world."

But GoddemonstratesHis ownlovetowardus, in that while we were yetsinners,Christdiedfor us.

knowingthis,that our oldselfwas crucifiedwith [Him], in orderthat our bodyof sinmight be done awaywith, so that we would no longerbe slavesto sin;

Thereforedo not let sinreignin your mortalbodysothat you obeyits lusts,and do not go on presentingthe membersof your body to sin[as] instrumentsof unrighteousness;but presentyourselvesto Godas those alivefrom the dead,and your members[as] instrumentsof righteousnessto God.

Do you not knowthat whenyou presentyourselvesto someone[as] slavesfor obedience,you are slavesof the one whomyou obey,eitherof sinresultingin death,orof obedienceresultingin righteousness?But thanksbe to Godthat though you were slavesof sin,you became obedientfrom the heartto that formof teachingto whichyou were committed,and having been freedfrom sin,you became slavesof righteousness.

Thereforethere is nownocondemnationfor thosewho are in ChristJesus.For the lawof the Spiritof lifein ChristJesushas set you freefrom the lawof sinand of death.

For the mindseton the fleshis death,but the mind seton the Spiritis lifeand peace,

But ifthe Spiritof Him who raisedJesusfrom the deaddwellsin you, He who raisedChristJesusfrom the deadwill alsogive lifeto your mortalbodiesthroughHis Spiritwho dwellsin you.

And we knowthat Godcausesall thingsto work togetherfor goodto thosewho loveGod,to thosewho are calledaccordingto [His] purpose.

ThereforeI urgeyou, brethren,by the merciesof God,to presentyour bodiesa livingand holysacrifice,acceptableto God,[which is] your spiritualservice of worship.And do not be conformedto thisworld,but be transformedby the renewingof your mind,sothat you may provewhatthe willof Godis, that which is goodand acceptableand perfect.

The nightis almost gone,and the dayis near.Thereforelet us lay asidethe deedsof darknessand puton the armorof light.Let us behaveproperlyas in the day,not in carousingand drunkenness,not in sexual promiscuityand sensuality,not in strifeand jealousy.But puton the LordJesusChrist,and makenoprovisionfor the fleshin regardto [its] lusts.

Ordo you not knowthat your bodyis a templeof the HolySpiritwho is in you, whomyou havefrom God,and that you are not your own?For you have been boughtwith a price:thereforeglorifyGodin your body.

Do not be deceived:"Badcompanycorruptsgoodmorals."

Orwhatagreementhas the templeof Godwith idols?For we are the templeof the livingGod;justas Godsaid,"I WILL DWELLIN THEM AND WALK AMONGTHEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD,AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE."Therefore,COMEOUT FROM THEIR MIDSTAND BE SEPARATE,"saysthe Lord."AND DO NOT TOUCHWHAT IS UNCLEAN;And I will welcomeyou."And I will be a fatherto you, And you shall be sonsand daughtersto Me," Saysthe LordAlmighty.

For though we walkin the flesh,we do not waraccordingto the flesh,for the weaponsof our warfareare not of the flesh,but divinelypowerfulfor the destructionof fortresses.[We are] destroyingspeculationsand everylofty thingraisedup againstthe knowledgeof God,and [we are] takingeverythoughtcaptiveto the obedienceof Christ,

"I have been crucifiedwith Christ;and it is no longerI who live,but Christlivesin me; and the [life] whichI nowlivein the fleshI liveby faithin the Sonof God,who lovedme and gaveHimselfup for me.

It was for freedomthat Christset us free;thereforekeep standing firmand do not be subjectagainto a yokeof slavery.

But I say,walkby the Spirit,and you will not carryout the desireof the flesh.

Nowthe deedsof the fleshare evident,whichare: immorality,impurity,sensuality,idolatry,sorcery,enmities,strife,jealousy,outbursts of anger,disputes,dissensions,factions,envying,drunkenness,carousing,and things likethese,of whichI forewarnyou, justas I have forewarnedyou, that thosewho practicesuch thingswill not inheritthe kingdomof God.

But the fruitof the Spiritis love,joy,peace,patience,kindness,goodness,faithfulness,gentleness,self-control;againstsuch thingsthere is nolaw.

that, in referenceto your formermanner of life,you lay asidethe oldself,which is being corruptedin accordancewith the lustsof deceit,and that you be renewedin the spiritof your mind,and puton the newself,which in [the likeness of] Godhas been createdin righteousnessand holinessof the truth.

for you were formerlydarkness,but nowyou are Lightin the Lord;walkas childrenof Light

And do not get drunkwith wine,for that is dissipation,but be filledwith the Spirit,

Finally,be strongin the Lordand in the strengthof His might.Puton the full armorof God,sothat you will be ableto stand firmagainstthe schemesof the devil.

[For I am] confidentof thisvery thing,that He who begana goodworkin you will perfectit untilthe dayof ChristJesus.

for it is Godwho is at workin you, bothto willand to workfor [His] good pleasure.

Be anxiousfor nothing,but in everythingby prayerand supplicationwith thanksgivinglet your requestsbe made knownto God.And the peaceof God,which surpassesallcomprehension,will guardyour heartsand your mindsin ChristJesus.

Finally,brethren,whateveris true,whateveris honorable,whateveris right,whateveris pure,whateveris lovely,whateveris of good repute,ifthere is anyexcellenceand ifanythingworthy of praise,dwellon these things.

I can doall thingsthroughHim who strengthensme.

For He rescuedus from the domainof darkness,and transferredus to the kingdomof His belovedSon,in whomwe haveredemption,the forgivenessof sins.

Thereforeconsiderthe membersof your earthlybody as deadto immorality,impurity,passion,evildesire,and greed,whichamountsto idolatry.

But nowyou also,putthem allaside:anger,wrath,malice,slander,[and] abusive speechfrom your mouth.Do not lieto one another,since you laid asidethe oldselfwith its [evil] practices,and have puton the new selfwho is being renewedto a true knowledgeaccordingto the imageof the One who createdhim--

For thisis the willof God,your sanctification;[that is], that you abstainfrom sexual immorality;that eachof you know howto possesshis ownvesselin sanctificationand honor,

so thenlet us not sleepas othersdo, but let us be alertand sober.For thosewho sleepdo their sleepingat night,and thosewho get drunkget drunkat night.But since we are of [the] day,let us be sober,having puton the breastplateof faithand love,and as a helmet,the hopeof salvation.

abstainfrom everyformof evil.Nowmay the Godof peaceHimselfsanctifyyou entirely;and may your spiritand souland bodybe preservedcomplete,without blameat the comingof our LordJesusChrist.

But godliness[actually] is a meansof greatgainwhen accompaniedby contentment.

For Godhas not givenus a spiritof timidity,but of powerand loveand discipline.

Nowfleefrom youthfullustsand pursuerighteousness,faith,love[and] peace,with thosewho callon the Lordfrom a pureheart.

instructingus to denyungodlinessand worldlydesiresand to livesensibly,righteouslyand godlyin the presentage,

For since He Himselfwas temptedin that whichHe has suffered,He is ableto come to the aidof thosewho are tempted.

For we do not havea high priestwhocannotsympathizewith our weaknesses,but One whohas been temptedin all thingsas [we are, yet] withoutsin.Thereforelet us draw nearwith confidenceto the throneof grace,sothat we may receivemercyand findgraceto helpin time of need.

Let us hold fastthe confessionof our hopewithout wavering,for He who promisedis faithful;

Therefore,since we haveso greata cloudof witnessessurroundingus, let us alsolay asideeveryencumbranceand the sinwhich so easily entanglesus, and let us runwith endurancethe racethat is set beforeus,fixing our eyeson Jesus,the authorand perfecterof faith,whofor the joyset beforeHim enduredthe cross,despisingthe shame,and has sat downat the right handof the throneof God.

But ifanyof you lackswisdom,let him askof God,who givesto allgenerouslyand withoutreproach,and it will be givento him.

Blessedis a manwhoperseveresunder trial;for once he has beenapproved,he will receivethe crownof lifewhich[the Lord] has promisedto thosewho loveHim.

Let no onesaywhen he is tempted,"I am being temptedby God";for Godcannot be temptedby evil,and He Himselfdoes not temptanyone.But each oneis temptedwhen he is carried awayand enticedby his ownlust.Thenwhen lusthas conceived,it gives birthto sin;and when sinis accomplished,it brings forthdeath.

Therefore,prepareyour mindsfor action, keep sober[in spirit], fix your hopecompletelyon the graceto be broughtto you at the revelationof JesusChrist.As obedientchildren,do not be conformedto the formerlusts[which were yours] in your ignorance,but likethe HolyOnewho calledyou, be holyyourselvesalsoin all[your] behavior;becauseit is written,"YOU SHALL BE HOLY,FOR I AM HOLY."

Be of sober[spirit], be on the alert.Your adversary,the devil,prowls aroundlikea roaringlion,seekingsomeoneto devour.But resisthim, firmin [your] faith,knowingthat the sameexperiencesof sufferingare being accomplishedby your brethrenwho are in the world.

Ifwe confessour sins,He is faithfuland righteousto forgiveus our sinsand to cleanseus from allunrighteousness.

Prayer