Drugs and Christianity?

Question

In genesis 1 29-31 it says that God gave man every herb, grass, cattle, everything to rule over.

I can quote, if you wish, but this is easier.

So, if God gave us freedom over everything, then why are "natrual drugs (dope, opium, and other grown drugs) looked down on?

God gave them to us..why has he all of a sudden, made it a sin for us to use?

Please support your answers with bible verses, not your churchs rules and morality...

I am not in any spirtual conflick wiht myself, as I have never even so muh as smoked a cig.

So raindrop, if you are saying ALL drugs are bad, then do you take any medicine? as they are ALSO drugs? Or are they okey because you need them to "feel better"

Asprin, as an example, is made from a tree bark, but manufactured to be this cute little white DRUG that we pop when we feel ill. But thats okey, because you are sick, right?

(other illegal drugs *as drawn out by the US government* have the same feeling adn relazation properties of perscrition drugs. Like codine, is made from cocoain..and so forth)

Answer 1

The Bible does not directly address any form of illicit drug use. There are no express prohibitions against cocaine, heroin, ecstasy (MDMA), or methamphetamines (Meth). There is no mention of marijuana, peyote, magic mushrooms, or acid (LSD). Nothing is said about huffing, snorting, dropping, smoking, shooting, licking, or any other method of ingestion. This is not to say, however, that recreational drug use is permissible. On the contrary, there are several very clear Biblical principles which place drug use well outside the realm of acceptable behavior.



To begin with, we are under a universal mandate to respect and obey the laws of the land (Deuteronomy 17:2; Ecclesiastes 8:2-5; Matthew 22:21; 23:2-3; Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17; 2 Peter 2:9-11). The ONLY instance in which we are allowed to disobey the laws of the land is when the laws violate any divine imperatives (Daniel 3 and 6; Acts 5:29). There are no other exceptions to this rule. Contrary to popular belief, simply disagreeing with a law does not constitute a license for breaking that law.



Many have argued that marijuana, easily the most benign of the illicit drugs, does not warrant prohibition. They contend that smoking pot in defiance of the law is justifiable on these grounds and in light of (what they perceive to be) the hypocrisy of outlawing weed while allowing nicotine and alcohol consumption. Those who argue this point may be sincere in their conviction but they are mistaken nonetheless. Heartfelt disdain for the law does not justify impunity towards it, as our Lord Himself made clear. While rebuking the Pharisees for turning the Law of Moses into an excessively oppressive yoke, Christ still required His disciples to submit to their unfairly harsh demands (Matthew 23:1-36, especially 1-4). Dutiful submission to authority and patient perseverance through unjust suffering and/or perceived unfairness (1 Peter 2:18-23) is God’s high standard for us – even if that means having to abstain from weed in compliance with “unfair” legislation.



Not only are we to submit to authority for submission’s sake, born-again Christians are further constrained by a mandate to live above reproach for the sake of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 10:32; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 6:3; Titus 2:1-8; 2 Peter 3:14). Needless to say, criminality is highly reproachable.



Obviously this first principle does not impact drug users living in nations like the Netherlands where recreational drug use is legal and permissible. There are, however, more universally applicable principles. For example, we are all required to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us regardless of our national identity (Matthew 25:13-30). This includes our earthly bodies. Unfortunately, illicit drug use is an extremely effective way to destroy your health, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. As Dr. Alan Leshner, Director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains, “The most immediate, extensive, and long-lasting problems caused by drug abuse, both for individuals and for society, are often medical in nature. For example, known drug-abuse-related health problems and resulting lost productivity alone cost our society more than $33 billion each year. Illicit drugs directly cause many medical problems. Stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine increase the heart rate while constricting the blood vessels; in susceptible individuals, these two actions together set the stage for cardiac arrhythmias and strokes. The club drug methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, also called "ecstasy"), which many users mistakenly believe to be safe, has caused malignant hyperthermia, permanent kidney damage, and death. MDMA also damages serotonin nerve fibers in the brain. Heroin can cause a life-threatening kidney condition called focal glomerulosclerosis. The list continues: NIDA research has shown that almost every drug of abuse harms some tissue or organ.” (Addressing the Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse. NIDA Notes, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2000; available to be read online at http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDA_notes/NNVol15N1/DirRepVol15N1.html)



Marijuana, while being the least harmful of all of the illicit drugs, is still potentially lethal. Marijuana enthusiasts (“Potheads”) take comfort in the fact that, unlike most other illicit drugs, it is seemingly impossible to fatally overdose on weed by means of normal consumption (i.e. smoking it). But this does nothing to diminish the potentially fatal risks of lung cancer, emphysema, and other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused by marijuana smoke. While marijuana can be ingested without smoking it, thereby eliminating these risks, there still remain negative physiological and psychological consequences including damage to the reproductive system, the immune system, and cognitive ability.



Beyond stewardship, as Christians our bodies are not our own. We “have been bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), not “with perishable things like silver or gold… but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:17-19). Having bought us with His own life, Christ has delighted to create in us something entirely new, something somewhat bizarre. By indwelling us with His Spirit He has turned us into organic temples of sorts. So now, caring for our health is not just a matter of good stewardship. It is a matter of reverential piety. To pollute or harm our bodies is to desecrate the House of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). This is both wondrous and terrifying.



Another Biblical principle concerns our susceptibility to deception. As fallible creatures we are prone to delusion. And being as we are the objects of God’s intense affection, His enemies are our enemies. This includes THE enemy, the Devil, the Father of Lies (John 8:44), a most formidable and determined adversary. Hence all of the Apostolic exhortations to remain sober-minded and alert (1 Corinthians 15:34; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8; 2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Peter 1:13; 4:7; 5:8). We must be vigilant against the wiles of the Devil (1 Peter 5:8) who seeks to ensnare us through deception. Sobriety is also important for prayer (1 Peter 4:7), as is obedience to God (Isaiah 1:10-17).



As for drug addiction, not all illicit drugs are physically addictive. Nevertheless, they are all psychologically addictive. While most people are familiar with physical addiction – the progressive condition whereby the human body becomes physically dependant upon a drug in order to function properly – psychological addiction is less well-known. Psychological addiction is an enslavement of the mind, often characterized by obsessive tendencies and a lack of desire to quit. While physical addiction brings the body into subjection, psychological addiction brings the will into submission. Users tend to say things like, “I could quit if I want to but I just don’t want to.” This attitude tends to ensure a long term pattern of drug use whereby users become devotees in defiance of a very poignant Biblical principle. The fact is, no one can wholeheartedly serve two masters (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). Any time spent kneeling before the god of drugs is time spent with your back towards the God of the Bible.



In summary, the Bible teaches us that, “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” (Titus 2:12)

Answer 2

Just think about wine: do you really think God would want us to consume rotten fruit? We're living in an imperfect world due to the Fall, and we have to make choices. Would you go to church high on acid and expect to experience the anointing of the Holy Spirit? There are 2 spiritual realms: dark and light. The only true light comes from Father God, through Jesus Christ.

Drugs in Latin are called Pharmakeia (defined as "witchcraft"). When you take street drugs, you are opening the door to the wrong spirit realm. Light and darkness, the bible says, cannot mix. Drugs are a trap by Satan. There is no possible way for you to commune with the Holy Spirit while you are communing with demons. Legitimate drugs for medical purposes don't get you "high" so they're not the same. People can become chemically imbalanced, and the condition is often described as being "drug-induced". Why would God want us to destroy our brains?

Answer 3

All things are legal, but not all things edify. God loves us. He wants us to do the stuff that's good for us and avoid the stuff that's bad for us. He put things on the earth for purposes.

For example - don't eat catfish - some people think that's a silly rule God came up with. Go ask someone who works at a power plant lake what they do if the toxin level is too high in the water. They stock the lake with catfish - God's quicker picker-upper.

Answer 4

God created it and he saw that it was good, God did not make it a sin to use such things, mankind has. Some drugs are man made, synthetic. The only place that good or evil lays is within a person and it is what comes from that person out to the rest of the world that is good or evil. Why blame God for the things men do? God also said to use things in moderation, excess is harmful to you.

Answer 5

First i would say that GOD itself is embedded in this nature. That is GOD is dependent on nature i.e., he can not create any herb, grass, cattle ..etc. He is just like a Hero in a movie, where hero is dependent on movie but movie is independent to all characters. Ok.

Imagine like this. World Drama is Director of a movie & GOD is an Hero in that movie to save all characters in the movie.

If u get a clear picture of this then U are clear with ur doubt. GOD is a Saviour but not creator. Any how i am ur yahoo friend. U can IM me any time to clear ur doubt. I have a very true knowledge about all these things.Bye.

Answer 6

there is the verse that says, while everything is permissible, not everything is beneficial.

or the verse that says to obey the laws of the land.

or do not be drunk on wine but be drunk in the spirit.


while I don't have a specific verse to give you right now, i do know that if i had left some of the drugs that you mentioned alone, i might not have dysfunctional children. I might not have lost my house and cars in bankruptcy. I might have better health. I might not have had to heal for so long from all the sin in my life.

blessings in Jesus.

Answer 7

You should be asking the Lord about this.If you have a peace about it that's between you and God.It isn't a sin to smoke weed but it certainly isn't good for your lungs.

Answer 8

Yes, and God gave us grapes the knowledge to make wine too, but He also said don't be a DRUNK.
The abuse of substances and the effects of them are what counts.

Oh and God gave us arsenic too, it's natural and from the Earth, so why don't we eat it, hmm?

Drugs like the ones you name cause a separation between us and God, it's that simple.

Answer 9

i believe as you do, that he gave us all seed bearing fruits and plants. however, he said i give to you as food. (so i guess pot brownies are ok.) he also didnt say we could mess with the chemical properties of one plant to make a new drug. the last thing i keep in mind when i think about this, is he always said in moderation. if its not hurting you, your life, or anyone else, then its not a problem.

Answer 10

I am a Christian and regularly smoke pot and tobacco, but so far I've found no passage that says i can't.
I would say that the only problem with pot is overuse or abuse, just like alcohol.

Answer 11

Man can not use the plants that God has created any way he wants to (i.e. - the tree of knowledge of good and evil).