I have recently become aware of some reports that indicate drug and alcohol abuse is again on the rise in our country. I believe since 9/11 our country has been going through a period of great stress. There is growing cynicism with elected leadership and this results in people—especially young people feeling empty and hopeless. As people become disillusioned they will return to their faith and guiding principles but for those who don’t have these resources they will often seek an artificial means to fill this void. News reports confirm that in PA the state run liquor stores are expanding because they have been so busy in this “bad” economy. It is truly sad while very few parts of the economy are growing two of the fastest growing businesses in PA are state sponsored liquor and gambling.
In the past we have had sermons concerning what the Bible says about alcohol. Essentially we learned that strong drink is prohibited, getting drunk is prohibited, and there are a number of good Biblical reasons as to why a Christian should abstain from alcohol altogether. It turns out that the Bible has a great dealt to say about drinking alcohol but what about illicit drugs?
Illicit means not sanctioned by custom or law. This of course doesn’t cover some of the minor drugs such as caffeine which is a very mild stimulate and has very few negative properties and seems to have some good benefits. Very few cultures or religions have any prohibition against caffeine. In fact Mormonism appears to be the only exception. While a larger number of cultures and religions don’t sanction nicotine, still larger groups don’t sanction alcohol, and only pagan religions or cultures sanction the use of strong mind altering drugs. These drugs are commonly illegal in most countries throughout the world because of their detrimental effects. In fact Western culture experimented with many of these drugs like cocaine. It was used in tonics and was believed to by some to be a safe stimulant—an example of this is found in some of the Sherlock Holmes stories. It soon became apparent that the drug was not safe! Many Christians knew from the start that such a drug use was wrong because of Biblical teaching.
Although the Bible doesn’t specifically speak to drug addiction because it was less prevalent at the time it doesn’t mean that it’s not addressed in principle. Gal 5:19-21 “The acts of the sinful nature 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.”
Let’s highlight the word witchcraft in the Greek the word is pharmakeia. You may recognize as being where we derive our word for pharmacy. The connection comes in that ancient witches and sorcerers used drugs to impress their victims. Through the use of plants, herbs, and mushrooms the magicians produced mind altering states in the participants. These tricks became a means of gaining wealth, fame, and power. Acts 8 mentions a man named Simon who likely employed these tactics but when he meet Philip and saw the miracles done by the power of the Holy Spirit he was impressed. Even in the ancient world the use of drugs by a doctor like Luke stood in sharp contrast to the use of drugs by a sorcerer like Simon.
Revelation 9:21 & 18:23 use the same Greek word. In these passages the word is associated with the worst sort of behavior and is used in deception. Drug addiction is certainly deceptive. It becomes a sort of self deception used to cover up serious spiritual problems so that the user doesn’t have to face reality.
We also learn that Jesus refused a strong pain killer while on the cross. He was offered wine mixed with gall or myrrh. Myrrh mixed with wine produced a strong stupefying effect which would have relieved his pain and speed his death. While this would have been permissible according to Proverbs 31:6 , 7 “Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish" He refused it because of His desire to be completely alert and in His right mind. This brings us to a principle of Christian living: namely that the Christian is commanded to always remain alert, self-controlled, and to prepare our minds for action (1 Peter 1:13 & 5:8). Illicit drugs certainly don’t help us do this. Drugs also have a powerful effect on the body. The Bible teaches us that we are to care for our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit 1 Cor 6:19-20 .
Another thing to consider is the issue of lesser and greater effect. Strong drink and drunkenness is clearly prohibited in scripture therefore every illicit drugs would then be prohibited on the basis that it has an even more powerful effect on your mind and body than alcohol ever could. Today there is a strong push to legalize the use of marijuana. The propaganda claims that its effects are safe and mild. Even if this drug were legalized it would still be wrong to use because of its immediate effects on the mind and the long term effects on the body and spirit. Those who abuse marijuana long term do permanent damage to their mind. I have often meet people who I suspected used marijuana in the past. I based this judgment on common thought traits I had noticed in such individuals. While not scientific my observations were confirmed on a number of occasions as the person would later reveal in conversation what I had suspected. When the person had been drug free for multiple years and had not been involved with any other drugs the traits were still there. The traits were obviously more pronounced in those individuals who used more heavily. It’s not a coincidence that heavy pot smokers have difficulties excelling in their education, work, and life in general.
In Christ however there is strong hope for recovery. While addicts may always be faced with the consequences of their drug abuse these effects improve significantly when the usage is stopped. Jesus can really fill the void in their life that they tried to artificially fill with drugs. He is the one who binds up the broken hearted and provides healing for the nations.
Drug use trades a cheap short term “high” for deeper more meaningful long term happiness. The choice couldn’t be clearer. On the one hand is a life of meaning, fulfillment and purpose and on the other destitution, waste, and regret. Let’s encourage those we know especially our young people to make to smart choice in advance. Let’s equip them for real life so they won’t have any desire for an artificial substitute. There really is no substitute for the real thing! 1 Timothy 6:19 “In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
I have recently become aware of some reports that indicate drug and alcohol abuse is again on the rise in our country.I believe since 9/11 our country has been going through a period of great stress.There is growing cynicism with elected leadership and this results in people—especially young people feeling empty and hopeless.As people become disillusioned they will return to their faith and guiding principles but for those who don’t have these resources they will often seek an artificial means to fill this void.News reports confirm that in PA the state run liquor stores are expanding because they have been so busy in this “bad” economy.It is truly sad while very few parts of the economy are growing two of the fastest growing businesses in PA are state sponsored liquor and gambling.
In the past we have had sermons concerning what the Bible says about alcohol.Essentially we learned that strong drink is prohibited, getting drunk is prohibited, and there are a number of good Biblical reasons as to why a Christian should abstain from alcohol altogether.It turns out that the Bible has a great dealt to say about drinking alcohol but what about illicit drugs?
Illicit means not sanctioned by custom or law.This of course doesn’t cover some of the minor drugs such as caffeine which is a very mild stimulate and has very few negative properties and seems to have some good benefits.Very few cultures or religions have any prohibition against caffeine.In fact Mormonism appears to be the only exception.While a larger number of cultures and religions don’t sanction nicotine, still larger groups don’t sanction alcohol, and only pagan religions or cultures sanction the use of strong mind altering drugs.These drugs are commonly illegal in most countries throughout the world because of their detrimental effects.In fact Western culture experimented with many of these drugs like cocaine.It was used in tonics and was believed to by some to be a safe stimulant—an example of this is found in some of the Sherlock Holmes stories.It soon became apparent that the drug was not safe!Many Christians knew from the start that such a drug use was wrong because of Biblical teaching.
Although the Bible doesn’t specifically speak to drug addiction because it was less prevalent at the time it doesn’t mean that it’s not addressed in principle.Gal 5:19-21 “The acts of the sinful nature 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.”
Let’s highlight the word witchcraft in the Greek the word is pharmakeia.You may recognize as being where we derive our word for pharmacy.The connection comes in that ancient witches and sorcerers used drugs to impress their victims.Through the use of plants, herbs, and mushrooms the magicians produced mind altering states in the participants.These tricks became a means of gaining wealth, fame, and power.Acts 8 mentions a man named Simon who likely employed these tactics but when he meet Philip and saw the miracles done by the power of the Holy Spirit he was impressed.Even in the ancient world the use of drugs by a doctor like Luke stood in sharp contrast to the use of drugs by a sorcerer like Simon.
Revelation 9:21 & 18:23 use the same Greek word. In these passages the word is associated with the worst sort of behavior and is used in deception.Drug addiction is certainly deceptive.It becomes a sort of self deception used to cover up serious spiritual problems so that the user doesn’t have to face reality.
We also learn that Jesus refused a strong pain killer while on the cross.He was offered wine mixed with gall or myrrh.Myrrh mixed with wine produced a strong stupefying effect which would have relieved his pain and speed his death.While this would have been permissible according to Proverbs 31:6 , 7 “Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish" He refused it because of His desire to be completely alert and in His right mind.This brings us to a principle of Christian living: namely that the Christian is commanded to always remain alert, self-controlled, and to prepare our minds for action (1 Peter 1:13 & 5:8).Illicit drugs certainly don’t help us do this.Drugs also have a powerful effect on the body.The Bible teaches us that we are to care for our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit 1 Cor 6:19-20 .
Another thing to consider is the issue of lesser and greater effect.Strong drink and drunkenness is clearly prohibited in scripture therefore every illicit drugs would then be prohibited on the basis that it has an even more powerful effect on your mind and body than alcohol ever could.Today there is a strong push to legalize the use of marijuana.The propaganda claims that its effects are safe and mild.Even if this drug were legalized it would still be wrong to use because of its immediate effects on the mind and the long term effects on the body and spirit.Those who abuse marijuana long term do permanent damage to their mind.I have often meet people who I suspected used marijuana in the past.I based this judgment on common thought traits I had noticed in such individuals.While not scientific my observations were confirmed on a number of occasions as the person would later reveal in conversation what I had suspected.When the person had been drug free for multiple years and had not been involved with any other drugs the traits were still there.The traits were obviously more pronounced in those individuals who used more heavily.It’s not a coincidence that heavy pot smokers have difficulties excelling in their education, work, and life in general.
In Christ however there is strong hope for recovery.While addicts may always be faced with the consequences of their drug abuse these effects improve significantly when the usage is stopped.Jesus can really fill the void in their life that they tried to artificially fill with drugs.He is the one who binds up the broken hearted and provides healing for the nations.
Drug use trades a cheap short term “high” for deeper more meaningful long term happiness.The choice couldn’t be clearer.On the one hand is a life of meaning, fulfillment and purpose and on the other destitution, waste, and regret.Let’s encourage those we know especially our young people to make to smart choice in advance.Let’s equip them for real life so they won’t have any desire for an artificial substitute.There really is no substitute for the real thing!1 Timothy 6:19 “In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Verse of the Day