The Healing Power Of Cannabis
Cannabis, when absorbed into olive oil, quickly absorbs into the skin. Through this method, its still used today in balms, salves and massage oils to treat a variety of illnesses.
Some postulate that people healed through the miracle of Christ may have been healed through the miracle of marijuana. The most common ailments treated in the Bible, including epilepsy, eye issues, skin diseases, and menstrual problems, are some of the same illnesses treated with cannabis today.
Contradictions In The Bible
There are lots of seeming contradictions in the Bible. Does that make it unreliable?
This video from our friends at the Bible Project might help explain some confusing things in the Bible.
Maybe not when you consider where it came from. The Bible is a collection of writings from different authors, times, places, and cultures. Even different languages. Sometimes words change meanings over the centuries. Sometimes the same characters have several different names.
It also helps to consider the different audiences for these works. The history books of Kings and Chronicles cover some of the same material but for different nations. Matthew writes about Jesus for Jews, and Luke writes the same material for Greeks.
There may also be repetitions, rounding off, or different perspectives that explain some seeming contradictions. Its reasonable to think that Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount multiple times , and so the version in Luke could be just as accurate as the one in Matthew 57.
Because of these literary, cultural, and sociological influences, it helps to proceed with caution when applying modern journalistic standards to these ancient writings. Biblical authors sometimes use different historical methods that wouldnt pass muster todaybut were accepted practice for the day.
Why not Look Inside for yourself?
Why Is Smoking Weed A Sin
What did Paul say in the Bible? He said, I will not be brought under the power of any. The sole purpose of marijuana is for you get high and receive the effects of the strain of cannabis that you are smoking. With marijuana you are yielding up control to an external force and releasing self-control.
1. 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
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Just Because Something Is Morally Wrong Does Not Mean It Has To Be Illegal
Example: Adultery. Universally this is accepted as wrong but it is not illegal. Nor would it make sense for it to be, because it isnt a law that would keep people safe. Just think of all the things that are widely accepted as wrong, that are not illegal. It would be quite impossible to create legislation for everything that is sin. Jealousy? Lust? Anger? Hate? Again, biblically speaking, the government only exists to keep peace.In all of the Gospels Jesus never attempted to influence legislation. In the entirety of the New Testament not one church leader ever attempted to impose the commands for christians as laws for Romans or Jews.
Was Cannabis Purposely Removed From The Bible
The possibility exists that the ceremony of anointment with Holy oil played a central role in early Christianity. A collection of lost Biblical texts was discovered in Egypt in 1945. These books had been sealed in a jar and buried around AD 367 when the church disallowed any tellings of Jesus story that were not included in the official New Testament. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, were actually among many existing accounts of Jesus life. These books, in particular, were handpicked by the church for inclusion in the Bible, as they presented uniform accounts of the narrative Christianitys leaders wished to present.
The non-canonical texts tell of sects that became known as Gnostics. This name comes from the Greek word for knowledge. The Gnostics believed that they achieved a higher degree of enlightenment and understanding of their religion through first-hand use of Holy oil, versus relying on the words of the Scriptures and priests. These texts indicate that this sacramental rite of anointment would have indeed been a psychoactive experience.
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What The Bible Says About Intoxication Inebriation
Most people interpret the Bibles condemnation of alcohol abuse as a condemnation against all forms of substance abuse. If the term drunkenness is interpreted as a general state of intoxication to any drug, then the Bible clearly admonishes drug use.
The Bible may not be straightforward about drug use, but it is clear about staying sober.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
- So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 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 Peter 1:13
- Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
- 1 Peter 5:8
- Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
The Bible wants us to be sober because being intoxicated makes us more likely to sin. Decades of research proves that alcohol and other drugs lower self-control and contribute to increased rates of violence and other unsafe behaviors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Many of those behaviors are sins. And the Bible tells us to avoid things that tempt us to sin.
Is Smoking Weed A Sin According To The Bible
In the very first chapter of the Bible, Genesis, there is a clear indication that God surrendered all the natural plants and animals found in the world for humans to consume.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.
That means all the plants, including cannabis, were, therefore, on the planet earth for the benefit of humans. Some people argue that God wasnt speaking about all the plants and animals.
But there is little to support this argument. In Genesis, there is no caveat following the proclamation. There wasnt a subsequent line saying that humans were supposed to use only certain plants for specific purposes. Instead, the line encompasses every plant yielding seed, which includes hemp.
During Biblical times, people cultivated hemp for a wide variety of purposes. There is evidence of its use throughout Ancient Egypt. They carved the recognizable leaf into their hieroglyphs. In the Middle East, cannabis also played essential roles as a source of fiber and in religious ceremonies. It seems apparent that hemp as a fiber and cannabis as a ceremonial substance were around throughout the Biblical age.
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Why Christians Shouldnt Smoke Weed: We Must Obey Both The Federal And State Law
2. Romans 13:1-4 All of you must yield to the government rulers. No one rules unless God has given him the power to rule, and no one rules now without that power from God. So those who are against the government are really against what God has commanded. And they will bring punishment on themselves. Those who do right do not have to fear the rulers only those who do wrong fear them. Do you want to be unafraid of the rulers? Then do what is right, and they will praise you. The ruler is Gods servant to help you. But if you do wrong, then be afraid. He has the power to punish he is Gods servant to punish those who do wrong.
1 Peter 2:13-14 For the Lords sake, respect all human authoritywhether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
Is Smoking Weed A Sin
Can Christians smoke weed? No, and yes smoking pot is indeed a sin. These new generation of professing Christians does not care for Gods Word. They will make so many different excuses and twist words to justify sin. Before I became a Christian I was a pothead. It was my idol.
Although it is extremely rare, you can die from marijuana. Contrary to popular belief, cannabis can indeed trigger heart complications. I personally know someone who died while smoking a joint. It kills your lungs. It increased my anxiety.
This world is cannabis crazy. Medical marijuana is a complete joke. Weed is a gateway drug that is making many people broke. Even though people try to deny it, weed is addicting and many people have to go to rehab for it.
People are spending $20 dollars a gram for a few hours high. Is it really worth it? People are making extremely poor decisions and the devil is promoting this through worldly music. If youre a teen you must not try to fit in with the bad crowd.
Gods ways are higher than our ways. I used to always make excuses and Satan was deceiving me, but God showed me and convicted me and I couldnt lie to myself anymore. Stop making excuses! You know its a sin! Repent and turn to Christ! .
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Where In The Bible Does It Say Marijuana Is A Sin
There are no passages in the Bible that mention the use of cannabis as something sinful, but there are two important factors to consider, and they are pretty conflicted.
The holy scripture mentions several times that allplants on Gods green Earth were created for consumption.
This is evident in Genesis 1:12, Ezekiel 34:29 and Revelation 22:2.
The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations.
Down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Despite that, the Bible denounces all forms of intoxication and mind-alteration, so the psychoactivity caused by cannabis would probably be deemed as a sin.
This is evident in the following paragraphs:
Ephesians 5:18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:21Envy, 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.
What The Bible Says About Drunkenness And Drunkards
Alcohol was one of the most abused drugs during the time period during which the Bible was written. Its possible that references to drunkenness refer to alcohol addiction.
Dozens of Bible verses refer to drunkards and drunkenness.
- Romans 13:13
- Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
- Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 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.
- Galatians 5:19-21
- The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery idolatry and witchcraft hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
These verses can be interpreted to mean that being addicted to alcohol is a sin, but the sin is forgiven if you recover from alcoholism. The verses can also be interpreted to mean being drunk is a sin, and if you stop sinning , God will forgive you.
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Ask The Right Question As A Voter
We are in a unique position, because we are all the government. By casting our vote we can determine where these issues end up. We essentially have to where two different hats. For many of you who grew in the church this is going to sound like heresy. The right question as a voter is not: Is legalizing weed right or is it wrong? The right question is What decision keeps the most people safe? Vote accordingly. Realizing, this in no way affects the greater purpose of the kingdom of God.
What About Freedom In Christ
We do have freedom in Christ, but that freedom is not to be used to sin:
- For you were called to freedom, brethren only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
- Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
The freedom of Christ is freedom to follow Him in service to others. We are not to use the law as an excuse for immorality . Likewise, we are not to allow things to bring us under their control:
- “Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything.
- For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
We are not to be slaves of sin, engaging in fleshly desires and lusts, but we are to serve the living God.
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
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Final Thoughts On Marijuana And The Bible
When it comes to cannabis and the Bible, there really is no right answer. The ancient scriptures are completely open to interpretation. However, there does seem to be a strong argument for cannabis and its use in biblical times.
Just like the apostle Mark wrote in Mark 6:13, to be rubbed with the Holy Plant was to receive divine knowledge. We couldnt agree more!
Satan Says Its Not A Sin Did God Really Say You Cant Smoke It
Does this sound familiar to you? Dont fall into Satans trap.
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, Did God really say, You must not eat from any tree in the garden?
Reminders
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lords will is.
Romans 14:23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
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What Do The Skeptics Say
Not all scholars embrace the theory that Biblical references to calamus are merely mistranslations of cannabis. Lytton John Musselman, a professor of botany at Old Dominion University, insists that calamus has strong medicinal properties all on its own. He shares examples of its popularity in Sri Lanka, as well as among the Native Americans who once populated the northeastern United States. Musselman also defends calamuss status as a healing plant, as it is used in Ayurvedic medicine.
Additionally, many people interpret the many Biblical warnings against getting drunk on alcohol to naturally include intoxication by marijuana , though this is not explicitly stated anywhere in the Bible.
Q: What does the Bible say about using weed?A:The Bible doesnt outline explicit rules against using weed, though it could be argued that the verses warning against alcohol intoxication apply to any substance capable of producing an intoxicating effect.
Lytton John Musselman, a professor of botany at Old Dominion University, insists that calamus has strong medicinal properties all on its own.
These Devout Christians Are Using The Bible To Argue That Pot Is Gods Perfect Medicine
The Deep South is the nations most religious region and the least open to legalized cannabis for medical or recreational use. To those who say marijuana is a sin, though, devout Christians are using the Bible to argue that it is Gods perfect medicine.
Lydia Decker couldnt miss the man in the motorized wheelchair as he whirred down the aisles of a West Texas grocery store. As someone with lung problems herself, she noticed his oxygen tank and wondered about his illness and his meds. They got talking, and Decker mentioned Genesis 1:29, the organization she heads that uses religion to preach the value of medical cannabis. This was one conversion that wasn’t going to happen.
Oh, that trash! Decker remembered the man saying as she tried to reason with him in the pharmacy aisle. The nurse with the man politely asked Decker, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, to leave. She did, but not before handing the nurse a Genesis 1:29 business card, which features a map of Texas covered with a large cannabis leaf and the words One Mission End Prohibition!
Do you know he almost ran over me with the cart? Decker said, laughing. My goodness, he flipped a U-ee in the aisle.
Lydia Decker
Obviously, not everyone in Texas is receptive to Deckers interpretation of the Bible none of the laws covering medical or recreational cannabis were likely to pass before the legislative session ends in late May.
Leah Graves before her pink hair days.
Faith Bodle
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