Drug Use - Right Or Wrong?

A: Thanks for writing. I am sure that you are speaking of the so-called "recreational" drug use, and not medicinal drugs. These are drugs that are used because of the mental experience or emotional feelings they provide. Any herb that is used for the same reason is just another drug. There is no distinction. Most drugs are made from naturally occurring substances. Being closer to nature does not make them less of a drug. Here are some reasons that drug abuse goes against the teachings of the Bible.

1.  In most cases (there are beginning to be exceptions), it is illegal. 1Peter 2:12 tells us, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake." We are to obey the laws of the land unless obedience to those laws bring us into disobedience to God. Since God never commands us to abuse drugs, we are to obey the law and avoid it.

2.  It is harmful to our health. Though this is disputed in some cases, we really do not know that the "safe" drugs will turn out safe in the long run. What we do know is that many drugs are harmful to health and the others may be. 1Corinthians 6:19-20 states, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." Our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost if we are saved. We should not harm it for our own pleasure.

3.  Drug abuse is addictive. Even drugs that claim to be non-addictive are very difficult to quit after begun. But many drugs are highly addictive and create an unbelievably strong addiction. Paul said in 1Corinthians 6:12, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." What he is teaching is that though there are things that do not have a direct command against them in the Bible, they can still be wrong for other reasons. One of those reasons is that certain practices bring us under their power. In other words, they become addictive. We are not to allow ourselves to become addicted to the things of this world.

4.  Drug abuse surrenders control of our mind. We are commanded to have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). Paul tells us think those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). As we think in our hearts, so are we (Proverbs 23:7). We cannot obey these commands and others if we surrender
our thoughts and emotions to a self-imposed chemical substance.

5.  Drug abuse is selfish. It is given to having an experience solely for our personal pleasure. Proverbs 21:17 says, "He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich." Note that "wine" was often the substance abuse of Bible times. Paul warns of a time when men will be "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God" (2Timothy 3:4). Anyone who takes a drug simply to have an experience without care or concern for the consequences to others is a selfish pig.

6.  Drug abuse does not bring glory to God. We are told in 1Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Taking pleasure drugs cannot be done to the glory of God.

7.  Drug abuse destroys our testimony for Christ. We are to be a light to the world so that they can see our good works (Matthew 5:16). Drug abuse will destroy a person's testimony.

I need to make a final comment. Many of the above arguments are based on the person being a Christian. If someone is lost, they first need to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Then, they need to give their life to God. If they do these things, they may then need help in following the path of a believer but the Lord will be with them all the way.

Till He comes,

Pastor David Reagan