What does the Bible say about sex addiction?

The concept of sex addiction being a psychological disorder similar to
other obsessive-compulsive disorders, or similar to other addictions,
such as alcoholism or illicit drug use, is a recent development.
Previously, a man (or woman) who was promiscuous was said to be
immoral and filled with lust. The issue now is that something the
Bible says is a sin, promiscuous sex outside of marriage, is being
labeled as a psychological disorder. For some, this is an excuse, an
explaining away of a clear sin. So, is there such a thing as sex
addiction, and if so, what does the Bible say about it?

First, let it be said that sex outside of marriage is always a sin
(Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:13, 18; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21;
Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3;
Jude 7). There is never a time when it is right to have sex outside of
marriage. With that said, it is important to note that sex is indeed
addicting. A person who engages in sexual intercourse regularly will
almost always become psychologically and physiologically addicted to
it. Sex between a husband and his wife in marriage is "pure" (Hebrews
13:4) and is the God-ordained way of releasing the tension of a "sex
addiction." Should a married couple allow themselves to become
addicted to the point that sex becomes an obsession, a hindrance to
other aspects of life? Of course not. Is it wrong for a husband and
wife to desire regular sex with each other? Absolutely not. Sex in
marriage is not sinful. A husband and his wife are biblically allowed
to have sex as often as they want, in the spirit of mutual consent (1
Corinthians 7:5).

Sin itself is addicting. Most, if not all, sins are addicting if
engaged in regularly. Lying, drinking in excess, smoking, gluttony,
rage, pornography, etc., can all become habitual. Ultimately, all of
us, in our fallen bodies, have a sin addiction. Immoral sex, just as
other sins, can lead to "ever-increasing wickedness" (Romans 6:19).
Just as illicit drug use leads to increasingly potent amounts of the
drug being needed to achieve the same "high," so can immoral sex lead
to increasingly frequent and "wild" intercourse in order to receive
the same satisfaction. Yes, there is such a thing as sex addiction. A
person truly can become psychologically and physiologically addicted
to frequent, wild, experimental, and even obscenely immoral sex.

The fact that sex is addicting, and the biblical truth that sin is
addicting, combined, lead to the conclusion that sex addiction does
indeed exist. The fact that sex addiction exists, though, does not
change the fact that it is sin. It is very important to recognize sex
addiction as a sin, not to excuse it away as a psychological disorder.
At the same time, we should not minimize the powerful hold sex
addiction can have on a person. As with all sin addictions, the only
true cure for sex addiction is Jesus Christ. We have all sinned and
fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Because of our sin, we
all deserve the judgment of eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus, who
was God in human form, paid the eternal/infinite penalty for us (2
Corinthians 5:21). If we fully trust His sacrifice on our behalf as
the full payment for our sin, receiving Him as Savior in faith, He
promises that all of our sins are forgiven. Then, God makes us a new
creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and begins the process of conforming us
to His will (Romans 12:1-2), including enabling us to overcome sin and
break any sin addictions we have. "Wretched man that I am! Who will
deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus
Christ our Lord" (Romans 7:24-25).