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What Does The Bible Say About Drugs? – Viral Believer
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What Does The Bible Say About Drugs?

Drug abuse and addiction are serious issues plaguing society today. As Christians, how should we view recreational drug use and abuse? What does the Bible say about drugs and getting high?

In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll examine relevant passages throughout Scripture and key biblical principles concerning drug use. We’ll also consider practical applications for Christians today.

Introduction

Drugs have become an epidemic in the United States and globally. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over 30 million Americans aged 12 and over used illicit drugs in 2020.[1] Drug overdoses killed a record 107,622 Americans last year, an increase of nearly 15% from 2019.[2]

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-16). Therefore, we must consider what the Bible teaches about drug use and abuse. There are no direct prohibitions against drugs in Scripture. However, we find several principles that should guide our views:

Key Takeaways

  • The Bible condemns drunkenness and addiction.
  • Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, so we should honor God with our bodies.
  • Christians are called to sobriety, self-control, and sound judgement.
  • We must avoid harmful dependencies that impede our walk with Christ.
  • Abusing drugs can lead to laziness, poverty, and crime.
  • Christians should promote personal responsibility and social policies that curb drug abuse.

We can develop a thoughtful Christian perspective on recreational drug use by examining relevant passages and applying biblical principles. The Bible calls us to honor God with our bodies, exercise self-control, care for others, and avoid substance abuse.

Biblical Principles About Alcohol Provide Insight

Though the Bible never directly addresses illicit drugs, it has much to say about alcohol consumption. Since mind-altering substances have similar effects, biblical principles regarding alcohol give us moral guidance about drug use.

Drunkenness is Sinful

Scripture consistently condemns drunkenness as debauchery and folly. For example:

  • “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18)
  • “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness…” (Romans 13:13)
  • “It is not for kings, Lemuel—it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer” (Proverbs 31:4)
  • “Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of beer, who linger into the evening, inflamed by wine.” (Isaiah 5:11)

The Bible praises sobriety and denounces drunken stupors. Most drugs today are used primarily for intoxication. Thus, the biblical injunctions against drunkenness apply to recreational drug use that alters one’s state of mind.

Freedom in Christ Should Not Become Slavery to Sin

In 1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul writes: “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but I will not be mastered by anything.”

As Christians, we have freedom in Christ. But we must be careful not to become enslaved by destructive dependencies. Abusing drugs can easily become a compulsion that controls us, rather than liberating us. The Apostle Peter warns:

“Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.” (1 Peter 2:16).

Recreational drug use often harms the user and commonly results in addiction. We should avoid harmful dependencies that contradict our new life in Christ.

Our Bodies Are Temples of the Holy Spirit

According to Scripture, our bodies are not truly our own. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 declares:

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Since God’s Spirit lives within us, we should make wise choices that care for and honor God’s temple. Abusing drugs defiles our holy sanctuary where the Spirit resides.

Self-Control and Sobriety Are Virtues

The Bible praises personal attributes like self-control, sound judgement, and sobriety. For example:

  • “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control…” (2 Peter 1:5-6)
  • “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
  • “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7)

Recreational drugs often reduce self-control and impair sober-mindedness. The Bible calls Christians to lifestyles of temperance and sound judgement guided by God’s Spirit.

Specific Biblical References to Drug-Like Substances

Though Scripture does not specifically address illicit drugs we battle today, it does mention smoking, incense, mushrooms, and drug-laced wines. We must carefully consider these passages in their ancient context.

Smoking and Incense

A few Old Testament passages refer to smoking. However, these involve tobacco or smoking incense, not mind-altering substances.

Isaiah speaks negatively of smoking flax and dust in Isaiah 42:3:

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.”

Here, smoking flax and a smoldering wick depict weak and vulnerable people God protects. The passage does not promote recreational smoking.

Incense in worship shows up positively in several verses like Exodus 30:34-38. But burning incense for its aroma is different than modern drug smoking.

Overall, biblical references to smoking concern incense and lack implications for recreational drug use today.

Magic Mushrooms?

Some claim the prophets used hallucinogenic mushrooms or other natural psychoactive substances to induce their visions. Several factors make this very unlikely:

  • Scripture portrays prophetic visions as gifts from God’s Spirit, not drug-induced states.
  • God condemned pagan drug use and sorcery. So did prophets like Daniel (Daniel 1:8, 5:1-31).
  • No historical evidence suggests Israelites used psychedelic mushrooms or other drugs.
  • Prophetic visions were coherent messages from God, unlike drug-induced hallucinations.

Though some religious pagans may have used natural psychoactive substances, biblical prophets clearly received authentic messages from God not achievable through drug use.

Drug-Laced Wines

Revelation mentions wormwood in describing end-time judgements:

“The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.” (Revelation 8:10-11).

Wormwood is used to flavor absinthe and other strong alcoholic drinks. But thissymbolic reference to end-time events does not condone absinthe use.

Overall, the Bible lacks direct commentary on modern illicit drugs. But it strongly denounces drunkenness and compromised judgement. Recreational drug use violates these ethical principles.

Applying Biblical Principles to Drugs Today

Though the Bible does not directly address illicit drugs, relevant principles and truths provide moral guidance. How should we apply biblical values to recreational drug use today?

Honor God with Your Body

As Christians, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and instruments to glorify God. We are stewards of the bodies God gave us. Abusing drugs fails to honor the Lord and often harms our physical health.

Value Self-Control and Clear Judgment

Scripture emphasizes self-control, sober-mindedness, and wise thinking. Recreational drugs often hinder these virtues by altering mood, perception, and brain function. Christians should avoid substances that impair judgement.

Avoid Enslavement

Habitual drug use can easily become a controlling addiction. But Christ freed us from sin and death! As believers, we must not allow substances to enslave us again.

Care for Others

The Bible calls us to love others, set a godly example, and avoid stumbling younger believers. Yet illicit drugs often harm relationships and breed crime in communities. We must consider others, not just our own desires.

Obey Governing Authorities

Scripture tells us to obey governing authorities and laws unless they directly conflict with God’s commands (Romans 13:1-7). We are blessed with the freedom to seek change through the democratic process. But the Bible gives no permission to use illegal recreational drugs.

Steward Resources Wisely

Bible verses about laziness (Proverbs 6:6-11), poverty (Proverbs 21:17), and wasting money (Luke 15:13) advise us to steward our resources wisely. Yet drug abuse destroys careers, finances, and families. Good stewardship is vital.

By applying these biblical principles, we gain moral guidance about drug use today. But what about medical use?

Medical Use of Psychoactive Substances

Appropriate medical use of psychoactive substances differs from recreational abuse. Doctors prescribe medications like antidepressants and painkillers that affect brain function. Scriptural principles permit drug use for legitimate medical purposes under a physician’s supervision.

However, addiction can still result from medical use. Patients must carefully follow their doctor’s instructions and consider non-addictive alternatives when possible. The principles discussed above can guide responsible medical use as well.

Calling the Church to Action

Given the devastation of our communities by drug abuse, how should the church respond? Here are three important actions:

1. Clearly Teach Biblical Principles

Churches must communicate timeless biblical values regarding intoxication, self-control, caring for our bodies, and avoiding addiction. We must teach truth to equip Christians to make wise choices.

2. Provide Loving Accountability

Scripture tells us to hold each other accountable and spur one another to righteousness. If someone falls into drug abuse, they need grace and truth lived out through biblical community.

3. Advocate Responsible Policies

The Bible calls Christians to be salt and light in society. We should advocate for public policies that curb dangerous drugs and empower proven treatment and prevention approaches. And the church must lead by providing recovery help to those enslaved by addiction.

Conclusion

What does the Bible say about recreational drug use? Though Scripture does not directly address illicit drugs, relevant principles forbid intoxication, addiction, and loss of self-control. Our bodies are God’s temples, so we must honor Him in how we live.

As Christians, we are called to Spirit-guided sobriety and actions that glorify Christ and serve others.

Church leaders must teach biblical values clearly, provide accountable community, and advocate responsible social policies regarding drug abuse. Only through morally grounded efforts undergirded by God’s truth and grace can we hope to turn the tide on our culture’s devastating drug epidemic.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.