pot
The Use of Marijuana
Health Impact
Marijuana is an intoxicant that is usually smoked in order to induce a feeling of euphoria lasting two to four hours. Physical effects include an increase in heart rate, bloodshot eyes, a dry mouth and throat, and increased appetite.
Marijuana can impair or reduce short-term memory and comprehension. It can reduce one's ability to perform tasks requiring concentration (such as driving a car). Marijuana can also produce paranoia and psychosis.
Because most marijuana users inhale unfiltered smoke and hold it in their lungs for as long as possible, it causes damage to the lungs and pulmonary system. Marijuana smoke also has more cancer-causing agents than tobacco smoke. Marijuana also interferes with the immune system and reduces the sperm count in males.
Some people may believe that the Bible has little to say about drugs, but this is not so.
First, the Bible has a great deal to say about the most common and most abused drug--alcohol. Scripture admonishes Christians not to be drunk with wine (Eph. 5:18) and calls drunkenness a sin (Deut. 21:20-21; Amos 6:1; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-20). The Bible also warns of the dangers of drinking alcohol (Prov. 20:1; Isaiah 5:11; Hab. 2:15-16), and, by implication, the dangers of taking other kinds of drugs. The reason the Bible condemns drunkenness is that it impairs judgment.
Second, drugs were an integral part of many ancient Near East societies. For example, the pagan cultures surrounding the nation of Israel used drugs as part of their religious ceremonies. Both the Old Testament and New Testament condemn sorcery and witchcraft. In those days, drug use was tied to sorcery (the word translated "sorcery" comes from the Greek word from which we get the English words pharmacy and pharmaceutical). Drugs were prepared by a witch or shaman. They were used to enter into the spiritual world by inducing an altered state of consciousness that allowed demons to take over the mind of the user. In our day, many use drugs merely for so-called recreational purposes, but we cannot discount the occult connection.
Galatians 5:19-21 says:
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft [which includes the use of drugs]; 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.
The word witchcraft here is also translated "sorcery" and refers to the use of drugs. The Apostle Paul calls witchcraft associated with drug use a sin. The non-medical use of drugs is considered one of the acts of a sinful nature. Using drugs, whether to "get a high" or to tap into the occult, is one of the acts of a sinful nature where users demonstrate their depraved and carnal nature. The psychic effects of drugs should not be discounted. A questionnaire designed by Charles Tate and sent to users of marijuana documented some disturbing findings. In his article in Psychology Today he noted that one-fourth of the marijuana users who responded to his questionnaire reported that they were taken over and controlled by an evil person or power during their drug-induced experience. And over half of those questioned said they have experienced religious or "spiritual" sensations in which they met spiritual beings.
The use of drugs come under the biblical principle of avoiding anything that takes over control of the body
Alcohol is used as a picture of celebration in the Bible, it is even the original biblical drink of the Communion Service. That was only replaced in the United States during Prohibition. But drunkenness and addiction is treated with strong warnings.
The Book of Proverbs reminds us of the tremendous human suffering than can result from the abuse of alcoholic beverages and warns us about the dangers of losing control to alcohol (Prov. 23:29–35). In a day of widespread alcoholism, and with alcohol consumption a factor in countless crimes, including accidents caused by drunk drivers and workers, the warnings of Scripture need to be taken more seriously than ever.
Proverbs paints a picture of the person whose life has come under the control of alcohol:
•He is marked by woe, sorrow, contentions, complaints, wounds, and red eyes (23:29).
•He wastes most of his time either looking for a drink or lingering over it when he finds it (23:30).
•He lives in a fantasy by glorifying the properties of drink (23:31).
•He comes off his time of drinking with the feeling that he has been snake-bitten (23:32).
•He hallucinates and says things he doesn’t mean (23:33).
•He becomes numb and foolish (23:34–35).
Anyone who has ever lived with a person like that knows all too well how destructive alcohol can be, not only to the person, but also to everyone else in his world. That is why the Bible shows us tragic examples and gives careful instructions and strong warnings about alcohol:
•In ancient Israel, vows of abstinence were sometimes taken when a person assumed a significant responsibility. For example, the priests were not allowed to drink on duty (Lev. 10:9). Abstinence was part of the Nazirite vow (Num. 6:3).
•Rulers are admonished to not drink lest they pervert justice and forget God’s ways (Prov. 31:4–5).
•Isaiah included drinking parties as a contributing factor in the Israelites’ downfall (Is. 5:11–12). In fact, many priests and prophets were so frequently inebriated that they could not fulfill their God-given responsibilities (28:7–8).
•Paul listed revelry and drunkenness with sins such as lewdness, lust, strife, sexual immorality, coveting, idolatry, slander, extortion, and envy. He warned believers not to associate with professing Christians who persisted in such behaviors (Rom. 13:12–13; 1 Cor. 5:11). He also warned that drinking alcoholic beverages can contribute to the downfall of younger and weaker believers (Rom. 14:19–21).
•Peter included drunkenness with the kinds of sins listed by Paul, pointing out that heavy drinking is part of a lifestyle of unbelief, which dissipates people’s health and character (1 Pet. 4:3–4).
Finally, the Bible deals with the more general issue of overcoming the control of anything over my life other than my pursuit of God. Ephesians 5:18 contrasts God’s control rather than alcohol’s control. Paul addresses the issue of anything that doesn’t help in my pursuit of the greatest commands of loving God and loving others (1 Cor. 6:12-20). This applies to eating, drinking, drugs, sex, thrill-seeking, etc. 1st Cor. 8-11 deals with habits and personal rights that get in the way of loving others.
Pastor Tim Wiedlick