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Bible verses about addiction and freedom for men

Paul describes doing the thing he does not want to do, which is the most honest sentence in Scripture about compulsion. The Bible names the trap without contempt, points to freedom as the aim, and puts confession to other people in the middle of the path rather than at the end.

Romans 7:18–25

Paul names the split between wanting and doing, then points past himself for rescue.

ROM.7.18-25
18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 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. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful naturea slave to the law of sin.

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Galatians 5:1

Freedom is the purpose, and it is possible to walk back into a yoke you were freed from.

GAL.5.1
Freedom in Christ
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

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Proverbs 23:29–32

An unflinching description of what it costs, written without moralizing.

PRO.23.29-32
Saying 19
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 Those who linger over wine,
who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly!
32 In the end it bites like a snake
and poisons like a viper.

New International Version 2011 (NIV11)

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

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James 5:16

Confess to each other and pray—healing is placed in the context of other people.

JAS.5.16
16 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.

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The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

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2 Corinthians 5:17

New creation language—your history is real, and it is not the final word on you.

2CO.5.17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

New International Version 2011 (NIV11)

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

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