Question:
hey, i haven't been able to find a thread on this already, buti know it's been asked. entertain me, please. i need to know some verses to reference for dependency on drugs, temptation to do drugs, and drugs in general. i know somebody who's into pot, and i want to hit them up with some verses that might show them that it's wrong. also, i've heard some people say that drugs aren't necessarily bad, and that it is mainly a cultural thing here in america. help on that, too?
Answer:
i guess the whole "cultural" thing is just for people who are looking for an excuse to do drugs...
cant help you with the scripture part... sorry
Answer:
Originally Posted by Almost Enough hey, i haven't been able to find a thread on this already, buti know it's been asked. entertain me, please. i need to know some verses to reference for dependency on drugs, temptation to do drugs, and drugs in general. i know somebody who's into pot, and i want to hit them up with some verses that might show them that it's wrong. also, i've heard some people say that drugs aren't necessarily bad, and that it is mainly a cultural thing here in america. help on that, too? There isn't any verses that say we shouldn't use drugs.
Those of us who think it would be ok to use drugs on occasion do not think so because (as was stated in the post above) we are trying to find an excuse to use the drugs. Why do we need to make an excuse for something that is not condemned?
Anyways, that's a whole other thread...
Even though there are no verses saying we should not do drugs...
One reason I believe drug use is wrong is because we are commanded to obey the laws of our government. ==>
Romans 13:1-2
1Let 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. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
1st Peter 2:13-17
13Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Titus 3:1-2
1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
From these verses, we see that we are commanded to obey the laws that are put in place by our government.
The government says that it is illegal to use drugs, therefore, anyone who uses drugs is breaking the commandment of obeying the law.
Of course, when a law conflicts with that of God's law, we are not to obey them... as can be seen in:
Acts 5:27-29
27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." 29But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.
Daniel 3:1-29
The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Daniel 6:1-24
Daniel and the Lions' Den
With these three examples man's laws contradicted God's laws... so the people in these instances were justified in breaking the law.
The laws that forbid the use of drugs does not go against God's laws... therefore, anyone who uses the drugs are disobeying man's laws... which means they are disobeying God's command... which means they are sinning.
Answer:
Doubtless you will hear more from others on this, but here is my simple take:
Most recreational drug use in the USA is illegal, that makes it wrong for a Christian to buy and use them since we must obey the government in matters where the government does not violate Scripture.
Most recreational drug use is intended to have an intoxicating effect, similar to drunkeness. Drunkeness / intoxication of healthy Christians is always condemned by Scripture. To think that the drug, alcohol (wine), is the only drug whose intoxicating effect is derided by all those passages of Scripture I believe is too narrow an understanding of the command to be sober. In what biblical sense would it be helpful to avoid becoming intoxicated on beer but be perfectly spiritual to become intoxicated on LSD?
The Greek word for scorcery in the New Testament is often the root word for "drug" (pharmakia). Since word roots do not dictate word meaning in all cases, this must be taken more as an incidental connection. However, the tie between drug use and the practice of scorcery is both culturally obvious and historical--a warning bell of caution should be heard.
Any Christian (any person) who intentionally becomes addicted to drug use soley as recreation may seriously need to examine themself to see if they are truly in the faith. For how does drug addiction please God or further His kingdom and the cause of righteousness?
Answer:
Originally Posted by passinthrutoday Doubtless you will hear more from others on this, but here is my simple take:
Most recreational drug use in the USA is illegal, that makes it wrong for a Christian to buy and use them since we must obey the government in matters where the government does not violate Scripture.
Most recreational drug use is intended to have an intoxicating effect, similar to drunkeness. Drunkeness / intoxication of healthy Christians is always condemned by Scripture. To think that the drug, alcohol (wine), is the only drug whose intoxicating effect is derided by all those passages of Scripture I believe is too narrow an understanding of the command to be sober. In what biblical sense would it be helpful to avoid becoming intoxicated on beer but be perfectly spiritual to become intoxicated on LSD?
The Greek word for scorcery in the New Testament is often the root word for "drug" (pharmakia). Since word roots do not dictate word meaning in all cases, this must be taken more as an incidental connection. However, the tie between drug use and the practice of scorcery is both culturally obvious and historical--a warning bell of caution should be heard.
Any Christian (any person) who intentionally becomes addicted to drug use soley as recreation may seriously need to examine themself to see if they are truly in the faith. For how does drug addiction please God or further His kingdom and the cause of righteousness?
This is so bad exegetically. The Greek word Pharmakia is the root of the english word Pharmaceutical. Now applying this, tylenol, for whatever purpose,(recreational or medicinal) is use of pharmakia. Ancient medicinal practices incorporated drugs of kinds and majik. Hence the dual reference of Pharmakia. Drug use and sorcery are not related really. I grew up in a town which contributed much to the continuance of the American drug trade. However, there was very little witchcraft there. Between drugs and violence, that town was pretty busy already.
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so, if marijuana becomes legal, then there is absolutely no problem whatsoever for christians to get high?
Answer:
Originally Posted by Almost Enough so, if marijuana becomes legal, then there is absolutely no problem whatsoever for christians to get high? except for the whole not being drunk with wine commandment. By extension, the reason against being drunk would work with other drugs as well.
Answer:
so what are the verses condemning drunkeness? that's what i need.
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Ephesians 5:18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
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if pot were legal, and you only had enough to have a light buzz, then I don't see the issue. The reason drunkeness is condemned, is because it removes all self-control, which is a fruit of the spirit.