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NASB | 1 Corinthians 10:31 ¶ Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 10:31 ¶ So then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of [our great] God. |
Bible Question:
What does the Bible say about using marijuana? An acquaintance of mine says she needs help in providing an answer for a Christian friend to the above question. I would sincerely appreciate input to this question from any and all of you who wish to respond. Actually there are two questions. Feel free to answer either or both questions. Bear in mind the focus of these questions is one specific drug -- marijuana. (Normally I would not write such a lengthy question. However, I believe that after you've read this post, you will appreciate why I had to go into such detail to give the background of the second question.) 1) Can you provide Scriptural evidence to show that using marijuana is a sin? Second Question. In a recent discussion with her, my acquaintance says of her friend: - She is a Christian. - She is filled with the Holy Spirit. (...let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Ephesians 5:18 New Living Translation) - She is walking in the Spirit (But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God) Galatians 5:16 The Amplified Bible) - That the Word of Christ dwells in her (Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness Colossians 3:16 The Amplified Bible) - She is fully surrendered to the Lord. The implication here is that her friend is abiding in Christ. ("To abide in Christ is, on the one hand, to have no known sin unjudged and unconfessed, no interest into which He is not brought, no life which He cannot share. On the other hand, the abiding one takes all burdens to Him, and draws all wisdom, life, and strength from Him. It is not unceasing consciousness of these things, and of Him, but that nothing is allowed in the life which separates from Him." (note at John 15:4, New Scofield Reference Bible, 1967, Oxford University Press) Now here is the second question: 2) Do the above characteristics describe someone who is using marijuana? Is it likely that the above definition of abiding in Christ fits someone who is using marijuana? Grace to you, Kalos * * * * * * * * * * * * * For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. 2 Tim 4:3a NIV |
Bible Answer: Hi Kalos, I'd like to add this to the other responses you have received. Hi Kalos, Since the Bible does not specifically mention marijuana by name, I will have to take a more indirect approach. Roman 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. This should be enough, for any person who lives in an area where marijuana is illegal. We are not to violate the law of the land, and there can be no way that prohibiting the use of marijuana would be contrary to the law of God. 1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Marijuana smoke contains numerous carcinogens and other ingredients that adversly affect the health. God does not want us to intentionally live a lifestyle of disregard for our health, and the stewardship He gave us in taking care of our body. Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. There is no Scriptural call to use marijuana. Marijuana is a drug, with specific physiological effects. It is by nature "of the flesh". It is not sacramental. Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are ...witchcraft (drugs used for "spiritual" purposes)... of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Marijuana used for spiritual gain or growth is taking the work of the Holy Spirit, and giving it over to a drug, for the drug to do. This is strictly forbidden in the Bible. Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Again, smoking marijuana is something we do to the body, not the spirit, and as such we will reap a corrupt result in the flesh, not a righteous result in the spirit. Love in Christ, Mark |