28 Bible Verses to Help with Alcohol Abuse
Bible verses can bring help and comfort if you are struggling with alcohol abuse.
As women with a lot on our plates, we often can turn to alcohol for an escape from our daily troubles. But it’s important to know and understand what the Bible says about alcohol consumption.
The truth is that when you drink alcoholic beverages regularly and depend on them to help you cope, it can lead to alcohol addiction. If you’re already having challenges controlling your alcohol intake, these Bible Verses to Help with Alcohol Abuse will help you to lean on God’s help through this time.
The good news is numerous Bible verses talk about alcohol consumption and some of its dangers for Christians. The Word of God also gives us strategies and methods to guard against alcohol addiction and make wise decisions for you and your family members.
What does the Bible say about depending on alcohol?
As we go through the Bible, we learn that God is our source of strength for our everyday struggles. Life comes with many trials and temptations but by the power of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to overcome and live in a way that glorifies our Heavenly Father.
God is also our provider. Whether you have spiritual needs, physical needs, or material needs, He meets those so that you don’t turn to alcohol to fulfill them.
Alcohol abuse usually starts as an escape from a painful reality, past, or even an uncertain future. But instead of making this better, alcohol often brings on so many more problems.
No worldly comfort including alcohol will ever fill the void of God or fulfill you in the way He can. That’s why we turn to the Bible to help us find hope, peace, joy, and love that truly lasts.
The grace of God and his love are enough to empower and encourage us so that we don’t depend on alcohol for anything.
28 Bible Verses to Help with Alcohol Abuse
If you’re struggling with alcohol abuse, just know that you’re now alone. This is a struggle my family knows all too well. Through God’s word, you’ll find encouraging Bible Verses to Help with Alcohol Abuse below. There is hope for you, my dear friend.
These warn us against the danger of substance abuse, assure us of who we are in Christ, and give us ways to say no to alcohol. Through the numerous Bible verses below, you can find the comfort and courage to overcome alcohol abuse.
Let’s dive in!
Proverbs 20:1 AMP
- “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler;And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.”
The Bible doesn’t tell us not to drink. However it gives a strong warning about alcoholic drinks and how they can lead to alcohol addiction. Wine and strong drink deceive and intoxicate us and can make us lose control and do things we wouldn’t do when sober. That’s why the Bible says that drinking too much is not wise.
2. “What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine and boast about all the alcohol they can hold.”
Isaiah 5:22 NLT
The Bible warns us against being boastful about our alcohol intake and being heroes at alcohol consumption. Rather, we should boast about our salvation and that we are children of God and invite others to this wonderful life we have inherited with our Heavenly Father.
3. “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
At times, it’s the friends, co-workers, or even family members we hang around with that lead us to alcohol addiction. We may think we are strong enough to influence them but in most cases, they can end up leading us astray. So be careful of the company you keep as they will end up influencing you to take the wrong path in life.
4. “In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.”
1 Timothy 3:8 NIV
Leaders of the church should be sincere, loving, and respectable and should not abuse alcohol. While we may think this applies to them alone, it also applies to us as believers since we are supposed to follow their example.
5. “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.”
Luke 21:34 ESV
The Bible warns us not to be carried away and weighed down by the cares of this life, drunkenness, and our own desires. Rather we should focus on the Kingdom of God because soon Jesus Christ will return and take us home to heaven.
6. “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:19-21 NIV
In this scripture, we learn that the Kingdom of God will not be inherited by those who indulge in their own desires and worldly lusts such as jealousy, enmity, drunkenness, and sexual immorality.
7. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV
This is a good Bible verse to hold onto if you’re on the journey to addiction treatment. Our Saviour Jesus Christ understands that we are weak and prone to temptation. So you can go to Him with confidence and find help to overcome alcohol addiction.
8. “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,”
Ephesians 5:18 NLT
This Bible verse to help with alcohol abuse reminds us that alcohol addiction ruins your relationships, finances, job, and family. That’s why the Bible warns us to be filled with the Holy Spirit and not on wine and strong drink.
9. “Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.”
1 Peter 2:11 NLT
This scripture reminds us that we are not of this world but temporary residents. So we need to stay away from indulging in the lust of the flesh because it is contrary to what the Spirit desires.
10. “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”
Romans 14:21 ESV
Excessive alcohol consumption can end up being a stumbling block for other believers. As Christians, we should be considerate of others’ feelings and weaknesses and avoid doing something that will cause others to stumble in their faith.
11. “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
1 Thessalonians 5:8 NIV
As children of God, we are encouraged to be sober at all times and be able to make wise decisions. Our faith and love for God is what we should be known for and we are to put our hope in our heavenly Father who never disappoints us.
12. “Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control me].”
1 Corinthians 6:12 AMP
While God allows us the freedom to do all things, not everything will benefit us. Alcoholic beverages are allowed but we are also warned of the power of addiction and being under the control of alcohol. We need to be careful that we don’t become dependent on them to function or deal with life’s hardships.
13. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV
You are the temple of God. What you consume matters especially if it has the potential to destroy your health, relationships, and life. It’s important to keep your body sacred and free from alcohol addiction.
14. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
If you are struggling with the temptation of alcohol, know that you’re not alone. This is a good Bible verse to remember and hold onto. God provides a way of escape for us and gives us strength to be able to endure. He is faithful always.
15. “So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:13 AMP
We are encouraged to be sober, and self-disciplined, and fix our eyes on what God has done for us. The grace of God, his mercy, and his love will guide us until Jesus Christ comes back.
16. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”
2 Timothy 1:7 AMP
Sometimes substance abuse starts because we are scared to handle life’s hardships and uncertainties. But this scripture tells us that fear is not from God. He has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control.
17. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 AMP
The right path for us as Christians is not easy. Not many go through it. Most people go through the wide gate where alcohol abuse is cool and acceptable. But our Savior Jesus Christ encourages us to choose the difficult way which is the right path that leads to eternal life. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it.
18. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
Everything that we do including having alcoholic drinks has to glorify God. That’s why we shouldn’t give in to drunkenness and alcohol addiction. God is to be the priority in your life and too much dependency on alcohol does not honor God or give Him glory.
19. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
When you receive Jesus Christ, old things, old patterns, and your old lifestyle pass away and you are given a fresh start. There’s a new life and renewal in the spirit when you become a Christian. Even if you’re struggling with alcohol abuse, just know that your identity in Christ remains the same. If you repent he will forgive you and help you overcome the temptation.
20. “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Titus 2:11-12 NIV
It’s not because of our own power that we can resist the temptations of our flesh. Only the grace of God strengthens us so that we live godly lives, have self-control and not give in to addictive behaviors.
21. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4 NIV
The trials we go through such as alcohol addiction help to test our faith in God. When we endure what we go through it leads to spiritual growth and maturity.
22. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5 ESV
This is another great Bible verse on enduring trials and temptations. It produces good character in us which makes us hopeful in the God who loves us and gave himself for us. So be patient and keep holding on to His promises. Through God’s help, you will overcome alcohol abuse.
23. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 ESV
Your life, endurance of trials, and actions you take towards addiction recovery will be a testimony and inspire others in their faith too. It will be like a light shining for all to see and believe in God too.
24. “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
1 Peter 5:10 NIV
While you may be struggling with the power of addiction, God’s grace will restore your life, strengthen you and set you on the right path. He has saved you and loved and one day you will be with Him forever as eternal life is waiting for you when we leave this world.
25. “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV
This is another good Bible verse that assures us that we’ve been washed away from the sins that enslaved us before and we are now free of guilt and made new in Christ. Now that we are set apart for Christ Jesus, we should leave the addictive behaviors that controlled us and live for God alone.
26. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16 NIV
When we live with the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, we are so focused on that, and it becomes difficult to have space or time to carry out the desires of our sinful nature. This is an encouraging Bible verse to help with alcohol abuse.
27. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can turn away from the pattern of this world and live a holy life that pleases God. Offering ourselves as a living sacrifice is an act of worship to God, it honors Him and shows Him that we love Him because He has loved us first.
28. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 NIV
This is such a great scripture to hold onto. What you feed into your mind will help you to overcome alcohol addiction. When you fix your mind on God’s Word which is filled with truth, His promises, and wisdom it will help you on your road to addiction recovery.
Our own strength is often not enough to get through or overcome the pressures and stresses of this world so it’s no wonder we turn to other sources for comfort. But any source apart from the Lord will leave you searching and unsatisfied.
Through these Bible verses to help with alcohol abuse, may you find the strength, inspiration, and encouragement to seek addiction treatment and set your life on the right path.
