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.
What Does The Bible Say About Drugs And Alcohol
Would drugs and alcohol ever be OK?
Christians can have a few shots of vodka once in a while, right? They can take an extra pill just this one time because its prescribed by their doctor, right? This is completely wrong, and leads Christians down a dangerous path.
The Bible has a lot to say about intoxication, sobriety and intentionally harming the body. God was clear about the negative effects and consequence of drugs and alcohol, and made sure to talk about them clearly in His Word. If you are someone who struggles with these vices, the Bible can give you clear instructions on how God wants us to handle them.
Psychedelics As Sorcery In The Book Of Enoch
When describing the fall of angels and the knowledge they taught to mankind to pervert the human race, it reads And all the others together with them took unto themselves wives, and each chose for himself one, and they began to go in unto them and to defile themselves with them, and they taught them charms and enchantments, and the cutting of roots, and made them acquainted with plants. Book of Enoch Chapter 7The Hebrew word used for charms is keyshaif, meaing sorcery and/or withcraft. In the Septuigant, the Greek translation of the OT, the word used here is pharmakeia. Notice here how Keyshaif or pharmakeia, the cutting of roots, and the knowledge of plants are being taught alongside one another, as if they are all apart of the same office.
Again in Chapter 8 we see that one fallen angel named Semjâzâ taught enchantments, and root-cuttings. Book of Enoch, Ch. 8 Why did this fallen angel insist in teaching mankind how to cut roots and make the acquainted with the plants? Since Adam already knew everything there was to know to garden before the fall, man was already acquainted with the plants in the context of horticulture. He knew how to use cultivate them, plant them, cut them, and so forth. This is not a fallen angel trying to teach humanity how to be a better gardener. He was teaching them root-cutting for the purposes of pharmakeia and magic.
Here is a list of plants with psychedelic compounds in their roots:
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Bible Verses About Alcohol And Drugs
Bible verses related to Alcohol And Drugs from the King James Version by Relevance
Topics and verses are auto-generated from user searches. If a verse or topic does not belong, please contact us. Some scripture references/categories courtesy of Open Bible .info under CC BY 3.0
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What Does The Bible Say About Doping
blog | 16.06.16
Turn to the back pages at the moment and it is difficult to get away from doping scandals.
In this piece we wont be exploring the specifics of any of those cases but we will be looking at what the Bible says about doping in general.
At a basic level of course doping is cheating and cheating is both lying and disobeying the sports governing authorities and rule makers. Both of these are clearly prohibited in the bible . But can we go any further in understanding the pathology of doping other than just pronouncing it a sin?
Is there just something wrong with sport?
Well, first it is important to understand that there is nothing inherently wrong about sport. At various points in church history, sport has been declared inherently bad or idolatrous by the church. But as the blog What does the Bible say about sport claims, sport is a good part of Gods creation, a gift from him. Doping happens because sport has been affected by humanitys fall into sin.
Secondly what is it that makes doping so prevalent? Partly it is the time we live in and a heady mix of professionalism in sport and drug innovation. Amateur players cheated but it is still true that the huge sums of money involved in sport and the availability of drugs to enhance performance are factors encouraging doping.
Citius, Altius, Fortius, Dopius…
Pete Nicholas, Inspire Church London
In this section
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Reader: Opioid Use Is An Ancient Sin
To the Editor,
I attended the recent Opioid Crisis forum at the Earle Theatre and was encouraged when the panel acknowledged that there is a spiritual component to drug abuse that our local churches need to address. This is definitely a step in the right direction. However, if the faith community truly wants to help those who are enslaved to drugs, they must first understand what the Bible says about drugs.
Many of the Bibles references to witchcraft and sorcery are translated from the Greek word pharmakia. This word refers specifically to the use of drugs, and the Bible condemns drug use in both the Old and New Testaments. For example, in Exodus 22:18, God sentenced witches who use drugs to death. In Revelation 21:8, Jesus made it clear that he will sentence drug users to eternal condemnation. The first thing we must come to grips with is the fact that God hates the sin of drug use.
With regards to opioids specifically, natural opium has been used in witchcraft and idol worship since the days of Moses. A Greek Old Testament tells us that Pharaohs magicians were using drugs during the Exodus , and they were most likely using opium. Wicked Queen Jezebel and the ancient Babylonians were using it also. The opioids ravaging our county today are simply modified versions of natural opium. Todays opioid abusers dont know it, but they are practicing an ancient form of sorcery and exposing themselves to evil spirits.
Robert Orem
The Use Of Drugs Is Drunkenness
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, 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. Galatians 5:19-20The night is far gone the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 12:13-14
The word used for drunkeness here is Methe in the Greek, and it primarily refers to intoxication by alcohol. However, it is not limited to this and also includes intoxication by other substances.
According to the New Strongs Exhaustive Concordance, methe means:
an intoxicant, intoxication, drunkenness, and habitual intoxication.
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Biblical Hope For Those Struggling With Addiction
Wait, a minute! you might be saying about now. Addiction is a disease. It controls them. They dont control it. How can the Bible be calling it a sin?
While research and science have made great strides in understanding addiction and its treatment, they cannot explain the spiritual aspects and roots of addiction. They are both, however, unified in their desire to help those trapped in its snare. Consider the following verses.
Galatians 5:17-24 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, 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. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
In the Message Version, we read in the book of Ephesians, Dont drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 ESV
Remaining Addicted Is A Sin
Substance abuse is a temptation that leads you away from the light of God. You cannot be a Christian and continue to indulge, but you can accept God back into your life and have your sins washed away. There is always hope for forgiveness, no matter how far you have fallen into addiction.
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:10-11
This message is repeated throughout the Bible, in the Old and New Testatament.
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God Galations 5:21
In Romans, the Bible explicitly talks about throwing off bounds of substance abuse and poor habits and rising up to be worthy of salvation and of God.
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Romans 13:10-13
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The Painful Consequences Of Drug Abuse
This picture depicts hard-core drug abuse, but any drug abuse, including the abuse of prescription drugs, will lead people down a path to nowhere.
The picture is a great reminder that what we do to ourselves, we do to Jesus. His Spirit indwells us and He is always with us. Jesus promised, I will never leave or forsake you . So why would anyone forsake Him by abusing ones body with drugs, or with any kind of sin.
Additionally, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. They should be cared for as such. Abuse of drugs is an abuse of the temple that God has given us.
1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
We Are Called To Obey The Laws Of The Land
God wants us to live lives that are above reproach and in accordance with the laws that government has put in place. In doing so we glorify God and keep our conscience clean.Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is Gods servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out Gods wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid Gods wrath but also for the sake of conscience. Romans 13:1-5
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Christianity Today: From Marijuana To Magic Mushrooms: Weighing Drugs Benefits And Detriments
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.
Because caffeine is a drug that society accepts, people will use drugs like this without questionand in doses that go far beyond what can be found in nature. From alcohol to tobacco to St. Johns wort to saffron, there are many other nature-derived drugs that people use uncritically. Marijuana is also a drug that a segment of society accepts and usesand in doses that go far beyond what can be found in nature. How should a Christian respond to drugs like caffeine or cannabis that blur the line between nature, medicine, and vice?
What does the Bible say about drugs?
What Does The Bible Say About Addiction
For anyone looking for change, inspiration, and motivation to move out of addiction and into a healthy life, the Bible can be a wonderful source. Yet, the Bible doesnt talk about addiction in modern terms. Addiction and substance use disorders are relatively modern concepts, defining an age-old problem. But, the fact that the Bible uses old terminology does not make what it has to say about those problems including drunkenness, debauchery, riotous living any less relevant to the modern reader.
Most importantly, the Bible has much to say about things that are more relevant and important, such as overcoming temptation, about recovering from sin, about finding peace, and about forgiveness. It is those messages that ultimately resonate with us as we move away from a life of sin and degradation and towards the light and love of God.
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Ignorance Is Not Bliss With Addiction
Hosea 4:6 serves as a reminder for many believers that without Gods word, we cannot follow his wisdom. Without Gods word, we cannot see our own light. Without personal vision and purpose, a person is easily led down a dark path and attracted to others who will do the same. Ultimately, self-destruction is at hand.
The Sheep Mentality
When we journey down an ill-chosen path or have no defined path, the risks intensify over time. Many people of faith think it important to consider the history of people and the destruction of civilizations in the past, when faith in God shifted to other deities. They visualize a sea of people proceeding blindly in a herd, with their individuality gone.
Drug and alcohol addiction will create a sheep mentality for both the addict and the family. For the person dependent on drugs, he or she will become sheep-like, choosing to befriend others who use with the sole purpose of finding more drugs. For the family, the ability to initiate a change, though it will be painful, begins with an intervention. But many will choose to ignore the existence of the problem or hope that it will go away on its own. It wont. In fact, this entire cycle defines lack of knowledge.
Through The Principles Found In The Bible We Can Know What He Thinks About This Modern Issue
UCG.org
Question: What’s wrong with using street drugs like marijuana?
Answer: God wants everyone to have a good physical life and then, through acceptance of His way of life, receive eternal life . The connection human beings make with God is through our mindsthe organ that allows us to determine and complete our actions.
Recognizing how vitally important one’s mind is, Proverbs 4:23Proverbs 4:23Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.American King James Version×says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” The problem with illegal drugs is that they destroy or impede our ability to think soundly. When we don’t have a sound mind, it becomes much more difficult to have a relationship with our Creator.
Another problem with drugs is that they damage our health . The Bible teaches us that because our bodies are to be the temples for God’s Spirit, we need to take care of them. Doing so glorifiesshows respect toGod who made us . Then there is the important addiction issue addressed below.
Q: It seems everyone around me is using drugs. What’s wrong with just trying it once to see what it’s like?
Q: What’s the difference between using alcohol in moderation and drugs?
A: God permits the use of alcohol in moderation and within legal limits .
Studies have shown that the moderate use of alcohol can actually be good for your health .
Q: Doesn’t God want young people to have fun?
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