God and Drugs

A common debate among most Christians is are drugs biblical? What about the verses speaking of being sober and sober minded? What about the verses of not being drunk? I could use this post to list every single verse regarding this, but I won't. There are just too many and not all are talking of actually being sober in regards to alcohol or drugs. I will, however, give you my personal thoughts on this subject.

We all know drugs are bad. If you are from older generations you remember all of the famous quotes from your childhood that were taught in schools, you remember D.A.R.E, and you remember all of the commercials. Obviously, drugs like meth, heroin, crack/cocaine, etc. are really bad drugs. No-one should be partaking in those. What about the others, though? What about marijuana, CBD oil, and opiates (if used by prescription for legitimate health reasons)? Even drinking alcohol is considered a sin in many denominations. I do have a verse for that one I will pull out.

1 Timothy 5:23

"Stop drinking water; instead, use a little wine for the sake of your digestion and because of your frequent illnesses."

Firstly, if drinking wine were not okay with God I highly doubt we would see in the Bible the recommendation to do so. So what about the others that are naturally occurring, have benefits to your health (mental and physical), and can be done without addiction for many. Not all are able to partake in any one thing without becoming addicted. If we excluded everything that was addictive we would never eat again. We have people addicted to food, sugars, opiates, alcohol, and even exercise. Should no-one exercise as some are addicted to it? 

Romans 14:13-23

"Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin."

We need to look at this one on one. We should judge what is okay for us based on ourselves; not others. While we shouldn't become stumbling blocks for others that only means we shouldn't partake in certain things around those who it will weaken. If I know someone who has an eating disorder I will go out of my way to avoid being a stumbling block around them. Same goes for alcohol, exercising, or any other thing someone may be addicted to. However, that doesn't mean I can't partake in my own personal time.

While someone may have a weakness for marijuana, someone else doesn't. While some have a weakness for alcohol, someone others don't. As with all things in life, you should first base your decisions on how it affects you. If you are weak, avoid it. If someone around you is weak, avoid it while around them. 

Opiates, marijuana, ethanol, and CBD oil help many people of varying problems. Mental and physical health can be helped greatly with these items. Those suffering from depression, BPD, and severe anxiety are examples of who can be helped regarding mental health. Those with lupus, fibromyalgia, and ehlers danlos are examples of those can be helped regarding physical health.

This is a very sensitive topic with very heated debates. If you have not suffered from mental or physical health issues of severity I can understand the ignorance behind the personal opinions. However, once you, or a very close loved one, suffers your mind slowly begins to ponder the thoughts of the alternatives. The ways to help those you love who are suffering so much. 

It is hard to find a balance, or even an understanding, of if these are okay to use. There are many who believe Penicillin and Tylenol are not biblical to use. That if God didn't create it we shouldn't touch it. God gave us many things in life. Some bad and some good. Most are good that can be turned bad by bad people. We are here to see the good, use the good, and be the good. I, personally, believe that we should be able to use these things provided to us. Along with our Penicillin and Tylenol, of course. 

As long as we hold ourselves accountable, do not allow our lives to be focused on these things above all else (through addiction or idolization), or allow ourselves to become a stumbling block to others then we are okay. If these items are used for good, not bad, and they are truly helping those around us then who are we to say no? Who are we to judge them and their actions? That is God's place. Only He can see and hear into a persons heart and intentions. We can only see an outward perception that we may judge incorrectly. Leave the judging to God and only "butt in" if you see a true addiction or idolization of something. 

Many people are "invisible", or "silent", sufferers. You don't know what or how they feel. Leave that part to God. 

1 Corinthians 4:5

"So don't pronounce judgment prematurely, before the Lord comes; for he will bring to light what is now hidden in darkness; he will expose the motives of people's hearts; and then each will receive from God whatever praise he deserves."