What is a vice? Generally speaking, a vice is often referred to as a moral failing, or something used as a crutch or support that isn’t necessarily healthy or constructive. Some common vices that people use include addictions of all sorts (drugs, food, alcohol, porn, shopping, etc). Most often, vices have a negative connotation.
As somewhat of a counterpoint, let’s think about vice verses, because I don’t really associate verses with vices. Nevertheless, I think it could be helpful to consider the possibility that Bible verses can be helpful vices or supports. So instead of turning to hurtful and destructive vices when we are struggling or need help and support, it could be all the more beneficial to keep a handful of vice verses readily accessible to employ when we find ourselves struggling or on a downward spiral.
So here are some ideas for vice verses that could be helpful to you as a counterpart to destructive and harmful vices:
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. (1 John 3:1)
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You. (2 Chronicles 20:12b)
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man. (Ephesians 3:16)
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31)
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
I encourage you to pick three to five of these verses (or others you might prefer) and let them become your vice verses. The verses that you select can become your vice verses when you do a few things:
- Lean into them every day to develop consistency and familiarity
- Consider memorizing these verses so you can easily access them from your memory
- Choose a verse to be the home or lock screen on your phone
- Write these verses on a card or piece of paper to keep handy by your bedside
These are a few ways for you to use them to replace vices that would be harmful. As a concluding thought, let’s remember Paul’s encouragement in Colossians 3:16a, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.”