Can a Christian Consume Marijuana?
Message: Can u consume marijuana, being a christian? It’s a plant that comes from the earth.
Response: Thank you for writing in, this is a great question! First of all, I want to touch on what it means to be a Christian. It's important to recognize that every Christian is on an individual journey with Christ. While there are many agreed-upon common core beliefs, there are some areas that not all Christians see eye to eye on. However, someone who is invested in their walk with Christ will be guided to the necessary conclusions through the work of the Holy Spirit. So to say definitively that you can't be a Christian and use marijuana may not be accurate.
As you mentioned, the Cannabis plant is something that comes from nature. But did you know that many other substances are derived from nature as well? A few examples are caffeine, opium, cocaine, even aspirin has its roots in nature. However, even though they all start in nature, we'll find a wide spectrum of beliefs when it comes to which are "ok" to use and which are not. Caffeine and aspirin are so commonly used that many people don't even think twice about taking them. On the other hand, opium can only be taken in its legal forms with a prescription from the doctor, and cocaine is an illegal drug altogether. That being said, let us touch on what science and the bible have to say, and hopefully, by the end, you'll have the necessary information to form an educated opinion on where in this spectrum of "acceptable" use marijuana falls.
When we take drugs (yes even caffeine is considered a drug), they interfere with the way your brain would normally do its thing. Over time this continued interference can potentially change the natural rhythm your brain would form on its own. The kicker is, science is finding that the human brain doesn't stop developing until sometimes even your early 30's. This means that the brains of the largest demographic for marijuana consumers (18-29-year-olds) are still developing and are being messed with by drug use. As we could talk for days on the subject, I encourage you to do some research and see how drugs, even common ones can interfere with brain development.
Marijuana is now in some places being prescribed medicinally. On top of interfering with the brain, many drugs, even the prescribed ones, are highly addictive. While many people will say marijuana itself is not addictive, the reasons it is used can create an addictive cycle just like food, video games, or even exercise. This is one of the many reasons why any drug we do use, whether it's over the counter or approved by a doctor, is used with strict adherence to the directions.
While the bible has many verses relating to intoxication that I encourage you to look into, I've included a few below.
"Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:10
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit," Ephesians 5:18
"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." Proverbs 20:1
"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
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
The bible has strong words about drunkenness and being sober-minded. This is because as Christians we are striving to have a strong connection with Christ and it is important to remain clear of mind to do so. Have you ever seen someone drunk or high? Even if by some chance someone can remain focused enough to function "well", they are expending that much more energy to remain sober appearing than someone sober. Our Christian walks can be difficult enough without adding the extra challenge of intoxication. During those times people make poor decisions and our guards our lowered. This can allow the devil opportunities to attack that He may not have otherwise had.
When we're tempted to use a substance, it's important to ask ourselves why. People choose to become intoxicated for many different reasons and while marijuana may seem like a more harmless drug, there is still a reason behind why we are tempted to. Often it is trying to escape something, trying to self-medicate, we're bored in life, or sometimes its peer pressure. By really looking into the root cause we can address the issues and begin to heal through prayer, mindfulness, and reaching out to someone for support.
I hope this helps you answer your initial question and more. It sounds like you're smart with and inquisitive mind and I encourage you to continue asking questions like this. Ask God for guidance as you search for answers in the bible, books, and the internet, and remember that each person's journey is unique.
