What Does The Bible Say About Using Marijuana
In November 2012, Colorado passed the Colorado Marijuana Legalization Amendment, or Amendment 64, legalizing marijuana in the state for everyone aged 21 and over. Since then, most states have moved towards legalizing marijuana by decriminalizing it or allowing recreational or medicinal use.
In recent years, Americans have begun to examine questions regarding marijuana use and what role, if any, it should have in their lives. When weed was strictly illegal, most Christians believed that using the substance was clearly wrong because the Bible advises readers to obey the government. Now that using marijuana even recreationally is no longer illegal in several states, the morality of it seems a little murky to some.
Drug Use And Drug Abuse
There must be a distinction made between properly administered drugs and the abuse of drugs. God gave man the knowledge to treat illnesses and diseases and to develop drugs that aid in treatment. As with other things that God has given us, drugs can be used for good purposes or they can be used with bad intent .
In Galatians 5:20, witchcraft/sorcery is linked with adultery, fornication, lewdness, idolatry, hatred, wrath, murders, drunkenness and more. This clearly indicates an abuse of drugs that would involve occultism or black magic. After identifying witchcraft, and the other sins, Paul gives a strong warning of the consequences, they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Now, thats frightening!
Alcohol And Other Substance Abuse
In recent years people have become more conscious of alcohol and other substance abuse. In spite of our growing awareness of the personal and social harm that is done, we seem to be losing the drug war, and alcoholism is on the rise.
What does the Bible say about such practices? Well, you will search in vain for a verse that says, “Don’t drink alcohol, period.” And the Bible says nothing whatsoever about illegal drugs, since they weren’t available in Bible times. But the Bible does have much to say about any substance that harms us mentally and spiritually. Happily, it also has much to say about the alternatives to a chemical high.
Wine produces mockers liquor leads to brawls. Whoever is led astray by drink cannot be wise. Proverbs 20:1
Those who love pleasure become poor wine and luxury are not the way to riches. Proverbs 21:17
Do not carouse with drunkards and gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty. Too much sleep clothes a person with rags.
Destruction is certain for you who get up early to begin long drinking bouts that last late into the night.
Destruction is certain for those who are heroes when it comes to drinking, who boast about all the liquor they can hold. They take bribes to pervert justice. They let the wicked go free while punishing the innocent.
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Ephesians 5:18
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The Nowhere Path Of Taking Drugs
Any Christian who is considering using drugs for recreational purposes, or abusing prescription drugs, should ask themselves this question:
Why do I want to take pleasure in something for which Christ died?
They should remember that Jesus took upon Himself every one of their sins, including the sin of drug abuse. Perhaps thinking about the price Jesus paid for their sins will be a motivator to turn from drugs. Jesus suffered the wrath of God that should have been theirs. When Jesus saved them, He forgave their sins and granted them eternal life. What a gift, what a Saviour!
Its hard to understand why anyone, who is forgiven by Jesus and has received eternal life with Him, would take pleasure in a sin for which Jesus suffered and died. The only legitimate reason is because it makes them feel good. However if they will remember what Jesus has done for them, it should make them feel sick. Drugs can generate pleasure for a time, but drugs can never produce the kind of sustaining joy that comes from being in right relationship with Jesus..
What Does The Bible Say About Addiction
The Word of God does not talk about addiction per se . However, it has plenty to say about what happens to a person who engages in substance abuse. We learn from the Bible that being addicted to anything is not Gods will for us as human beings.
In 1 Corinthians 6:12, it reads, 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. There are two essential pieces of information here.
First, everything is lawful for us however, what we do with those materials makes them good or bad for us. Second, no substance should control us to where we cant manage our lives. If we cannot contain the drug/alcohol, it is using us instead of our using it. That is certainly not Gods will for us. The Bible also tells us that there are consequences of substance abuse . It reads, For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The bad news is that sin has consequences the good news is that theres a way to avoid those consequences. Substance abuse brings death, which separates us from God .
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Does The Bible Forbid Drinking
The Bible does have plenty to say about the use of alcohol, and through church history, many groups have taken hard stances against it, citing the Bibles warnings as the chief reason. To their credit, there are likely some communities that would benefit from encouraging abstinence from drugs and alcohol. However, the Bible doesnt strictly forbid the use of alcohol.
In fact, Jesuss first miracle, in the second chapter of John, was to turn water into wine at a wedding feast. He also instituted the sacrament of communion, in which Christians remember Jesus death for their sins by sharing a symbolic meal where wine represents the blood shed by Christ for his people.
There are also some verses where the Bible seems to advocate for enjoying alcohol for its benefits. In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, the prophet Isaiah is praising God and looking forward to a future time of blessings in Chapter 25 when he says, On this mountain, the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine the best of meats and the finest of wines. In this case, Isaiah is speaking symbolically about a good time of plenty. He uses the idea of fine, aged wine as a blessing from God.
Timothy apparently had stomach issues that could be helped by some moderated wine. Paul seems to be acknowledging the benefit of wine but warning against its misuse.
Find Freedom From Addiction In Gods Strength:
1 Corinthians 10:13 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.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs power may rest on me.
Galatians 5:1 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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Consequences For A Christian
The girl mentioned in the question is said to have taken a small step to nowhere by using drugs. Thats a great description of the direction and destination of drug use.
It is also said that this girl knows all about Jesus. That could mean a couple things
For our purposes we will assume that the girl belongs to Jesus. Well assume that there was a time in her life when she repented of her sins and trusted in Christ and was saved by Him. Therefore she is sealed with the Holy Spirit, but she is not walking in the Spirit. Instead she is fulfilling the lust of the flesh spoken of in Galatians 5:16.
Pray for this girl and others like her who fall into the snare of drug abuse. Pray that she will quickly turn from her sin and walk in the Spirit and avoid being drawn into a longer and deeper season of sin.
What Does The Bible Say About Drinking
From the first book of the Old Testament onward, people who got drunk are condemned as examples of behavior to avoid. In every instance, a bad consequence resulted. Noah is the earliest mention , followed by Nabal, Uriah the Hittite, Elah, Ben-hadad, Belshazzar, and people in Corinth.
Verses that denounce drunkenness say it leads to other moral lapses, such as sexual immorality and laziness. Further, drunkenness clouds the mind and makes it impossible to worship God and act in a respectable manner:
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
At least six major denominations call for total abstinence from alcoholic beverages: the Southern Baptist Convention, Assemblies of God, Church of the Nazarene, United Methodist Church, United Pentecostal Church, and Seventh-day Adventists.
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Christians Winning Against Substance Abuse
Are you finding yourself or someone you love in trouble with the police? Is a pastor or church member praying that you stop using drugs or alcohol? Do people run away from you, because you are always high or drunk? Is there physical violence in your environment because of misuse of substance?
Substance abuse is described as the over indulgence of a chemical substance and the resulting dependence on that substance that interfere with lifes activities. There are alarming increases in the abuse of mind and mood altering substances such as alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and misuse of prescription drugs. The mental and physical health of the individual is affected by substance abuse which also significantly affects the lives of others around them.
If you have a drug or alcohol problem the bible says In the end it bites like a poison or snakes, it stings like a viper. while drinking might seem fun at start in the end it will lead to destruction of your body, soul, and spirit.
Drug abuse is illegal and there are many damaging effects which can occur. Gods people should not abuse drugs. Some people favor the legalization of marijuana. But even if it is legalized, Christian should not let it control their lives. Romans 13:1-5 God ordained governing authorities to obey the law, to resist them is to resist Gods ordinance. In 1st Peter 2:13, 14 submit to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake.
What Does The Bible Say About Drugs
The Bible has a lot to say about intoxication, sobriety and intentionally harming the body. But it doesnt directly address the disease of addiction because the word addiction wasnt used when the Bible was written.
Some newer translations of the Bible use the word addicted, but the accuracy of different translations is unknown. This article uses the New International Version of the Bible.
The concepts of addiction and dependence only developed in the 20th century, according to a 2007 article published in the journal Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience.
Numerous Scriptures can be interpreted to imply that addiction is a sin, but meanings of Scriptures are debatable. In the first book of Corinthians, were warned that temptations can overpower us, but we are given the resources to overcome those temptations.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
- No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it
Substance abuse may be one of the temptations that the verse refers to. Alcohol and drug use are relatively common today. Addiction may be considered a temptation. Its difficult for many to bear. But God provides a way out. Rehab and addiction treatment can help individuals overcome the disease, and many people believe spirituality is a key component of recovery.
Other Scriptures are more direct.
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Christianity Today: From Marijuana To Magic Mushrooms: Weighing Drugs Benefits And Detriments
Written by Douglas Estes on May 6, 2019. Posted in MAPS in the Media
Summary: An associate professor at South University and a biblical scholar, Douglas Estes, speaks with neuroscientist William Struthers about the concept of psychedelic therapy. Estes and Struthers discuss the cultural shift in perspective that psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA are experiencing as they move from taboo into the medical system. If youve moved beyond the drug being a taboo, more often than not, youre moving into it being understood as having some sort of therapeutic or medical or healing properties, explains Douglas Estes.
Originally appearing here.
No one would suggest we study the Bible while on drugs. But each week, many Christians go to church, go to small group, or have quiet time with the Bible in one hand and a stimulant in the other. We are not afraid to admit that coffee enhances our livesyet the key ingredient in coffee that does the enhancing is a drug, caffeine.
In less than a generation, residents of the US have watched as 33 states have decriminalized medical marijuana. So whats next? On Tuesday, voters in Denver will decide whether to decriminalize magic mushrooms. Beyond that, unexpected drugs such as ecstasy , psilocybin , ayahuasca, peyote , and kratom have already entered the medical research literature.
Sometimes theres confusion over what the word drug means. Can you help us understand first what a drug is?
What does the Bible say about drugs?
Many People Wonder If Its Okay To Be An Addict And A Christian
For as long as substances of abuse have existed, people have fallen victim to addiction. The Bible is a source of history and wisdom regarding temptation, long-suffering, and giving in to sin. When going to the Bible for answers or guidance, its important to keep in mind that love is the foundation of the gospel and extends forgiveness and redemption by Jesus Christ. No matter which path youve taken in life, you can always find love, hope, and grace in Jesus. Our Christian drug rehab clarifies what the bible says about addiction and what that means for people who are suffering from this disease.
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What Does The Bible Say About Drugs And Alcohol
Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol are waging war within the culture and even within the church. An addict can be found living on almost every block, within almost every family, and even within almost every home. Drugs are taking their toll on the world as we know it. As the problem continues to grow, convictions concerning the matter begin to dwindle. More and more drug and alcohol abuse becomes acceptable as even the government shifts from banning substances to allowing them to be used by the masses.
Gaining a proper biblical perspective on the matter is vitally important for the Christian. Oftentimes the addict may say something like, The Bible does not speak about marijuana therefore, it must be okay to use, or, The Bible only talks about alcohol not the substances that I am using, or, God made mushrooms, the marijuana plant, the cocaine plant, and even the opioid plant therefore, I should be able to use them. At this point, the Christian is often dumbfounded and does not know what to say.
As a result, the Christian admits defeat, and the addict goes on his way thinking that he is right or at least that he has won that battle. Sadly to say, oftentimes the Christian does not have a response for the hope that is in him. The Christian oftentimes does not know what to say concerning many attacks that are made against Gods Word and His heart. So what is a true biblical view on the topic of drugs and alcohol?
Are Drugs Mentioned In The Bible
The word drug is a relatively new word. Its only been around for a few hundred years, so you wont find it in the Bible any more than youll find the word interstate or freeway, but there is a word that sounds very much like it is a drug. As I said, the word drug is not found in the Bible, but that doesnt mean its not in the Bible. In the Book of Revelation we find the word sorcery or sorceries which comes from the Greek word pharmakeia. It sounds very much like the word pharmacy, and the word means the use or the administering of drugs, and a secondary meaning is poisoning. One such use of the word appears in a frightening scenario where the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers , idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death . To show you the hardness of the human heart apart from God, people are facing serious plagues that are simply devastating the world in the seven trumpets of Gods judgment upon the world , and yet in all these horrific conditions, they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts . Again, sorceries basically means drugs, so drugs actually are mentioned in the Bible, but just by a different name. You can tell that from the context of Revelation 21:8 and Revelation 9:21, as both of these refer to it as something sinful, much like drunkenness is.
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