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No, there’s no verse in the Bible that directly commands against the use of illicit drugs. There are no words containing cocaine, marijuana, heroin, ecstasy (MDMA), cannabis, methamphetamines (Meth), peyote, acid (LSD) or magic mushrooms. We cannot find anything in scripture against huffing, dropping, smoking, snorting, licking, shooting or any method of drug administration.
However, this does not mean that the recreational use of drugs is permissible. Remember, the Bible says that “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial…Everything is permissible but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Cor. 6:12)
- There are also several biblical principles that have placed drug use outside the realm of pleasing God:Christians are under a Biblical mandate to respect and obey all the laws of the land (Ecclesiastes 8:2-5; Romans 13:1-7; Deuteronomy 17:2; Matthew 22: 21; 23:2-3; 1 Pet. 2: 13-17; 2. Pet. 2:9-11; Titus 3:1).
- The ONLY time that Christians are allowed to disobey laws of the land is when the law itself is a violation of divine imperatives (Acts 5:29; Daniel 3 and 6). Other than that, there are no exceptions to this command.
Nations like the Netherlands have a law permitting and legalizing the recreational use of drugs. However, Christians are commanded to be good stewards of the things God has placed in our trust including our earthly bodies. And obedience is regardless of national identity according to Matthew 25:13-30.
Drug Addiction: Its Impact To Society & Health
The Director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) Dr. Alan Leshner explains that health problems related to drugs cost the society over $33 billion a year. Illicit drugs can cause a lot of medical problems. For example, stimulants like meth and cocaine can increase heart rate and constrict the blood vessels. For susceptible individuals, these may trigger cardiac arrhythmias and strokes.
The club drug ecstasy, which is wrongly believed to be safe, can lead to permanent kidney and brain damages, malignant hyperthermia and death. Heroin has been also known to cause focal glomerulosclerosis, a life-threatening kidney condition. NIDA research has proven that almost all forms of drug abuse can cause harm to tissues and organs of the body.
Even marijuana is potentially lethal. Potheads enthusiasts mistakenly believe that it is impossible to overdose on weed. However, smoking marijuana can lead to fatal lung cancer, emphysema and other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Even if you just ingest marijuana, there is still the risk of damaging the immune system, cognitive ability, reproductive system, physiological damage, and psychological consequences.
Drug Addiction & Christianity
Christians know that we do not own our earthly bodies for Christians “have been bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:19-20), not “with perishable things as gold and silver . . . but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:17-19). To harm or pollute our bodies is desecrations to the House of God (1 Cor. 3:16-17).
We are also reminded by the Bible through 2 Tim. 4:5; 1 Cor. 15:34; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8; 1 Pet. 1:13 to remain sober and alert. These verses help remind us to be vigilant against the temptation of the devil (1 Pet. 5:8) who desires to ensnare us by deception. Being sober is also important so we can pray (1 Pet. 4: 7).
Remember that drugs can alter the way we think, decide, judge, control ourselves and stay alerted. Physical addiction has become enslavement of the mind. Remember, no one can serve two masters wholeheartedly. If we say we love God and take drugs, we are not in the light as he is in the light. We cannot serve both God and drugs.
Whether you are a Christian or not, there are great ideals to live by found within the “Good Book”. Call Rehab Near Me to find a Christian detox and rehab center in your area.
