Drugs Tract

What Does the Bible Say About Drugs? by Gary T. Panell

The use of drugs, not only in the United States, but around the world is skyrocketing!  Some states in the United States have already legalized ‘pot’ (marijuana) use and many more states will follow.  As a result, many people, including Christians, will say, “Since the government allows drug use, then drugs must be ok.” I am looking at an article that has as its title: “Most Californians Want Pot Legalized.”  It doesn’t seem to matter any longer what God thinks about something, but only what the majority of the people think.  If the majority wants something then it seems to them like it is ok with God. At least, that seems to be the thinking today.

Two states, Colorado and Washington have already changed their laws to decriminalize the use and cultivation of marijuana.  Also, twenty other states have laws on the books for ‘medical’ use of marijuana.

If past history is any indication as to how changes to the law spread from one state to another, soon, all, or almost all of the states will change their laws.  Then the Supreme Court will follow suit.

But—what does the God of the Universe have to say about the use of drugs?  Is there anything in the Bible about this subject?  Well, God does have, not just an opinion, but judgments about the use of drugs, and He makes it very clear in His book, the Bible.

The first verse we want to look at is found in Revelation 21:8 NKJV It says, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

You say, “I don’t see the word drugs or drug user in this verse.”  That is where you are wrong, because the word ‘sorcerers’ in the Greek, which the New Testament was translated from, means: “PHARMAKOS, especially one who uses drugs…” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary) Even some translations have used the word ‘drugs’ in translating this word into English.  For example, in the Common English Bible, it says, “but for the cowardly, the faithless, vile, murders, those who commit sexual immorality, those who use drugs and cast spells, the idolaters, and all liars, –their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, this is the second death.”  (CEB)

The thing that we need to understand is that throughout history, people who used sorcery were also involved in drugs.  That’s why in the Bible where the words ‘sorcerer’ or ‘sorcery’ are used, we are looking at drug use as well. Here is what Vine’s Expository Dictionary gives on the word “Sorcery (PHARMAKIA) English, (pharmacy etc.) primarily signified the use of medicine, drugs, spells; then, poisoning; then, sorcery.”

We see the word ‘sorcery’ used in Galatians 5:19-21, where it says, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” So, where we see the word sorcery, in the Bible, we know it means, drug use with witchcraft (demon control), according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary.

It is very clear from Scripture that people in the ‘End Times’ will not repent of their ‘sorceries’ (drug use with demon control), Revelation 9:21, “And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”  The word that is used here ‘sorceries’ is translated as ‘drugs’ in some of the translations (NU-Text and M-Text).  Strong’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament words, says of this word, that it is referring to “far-mak-i’-ah; medication (‘pharmacy’), i.e.(black magic) –sorcery (2x), witchcraft (1x).” “Forces influence people, especially young people, to begin drug use.

“Much modern music, movies, and TV programs glorify drugs, such as marijuana. ”Today, marijuana is openly promoted at concerts, on CDs, even on clothes – sending teens a message of social acceptance…” Many specific examples are shown and cited – USA Weekend, 2/16-18/1996.

“Young people at school are continually surrounded by drug users. [One youth leader] asked a Bible class of public school junior high and high school students, how many personally knew people who used drugs, 7 out of 8 said they did.

“Drug programs propose to help solve the problem. But nearly all of them teach situation ethics: it’s up to each person whether or not to use drugs, moderate use may be all right if you don’t get addicted, etc. They do not teach kids to avoid drugs, not even illegal drugs!” GospelWay.Com

Young people are getting mixed messages.  First, it was against the law to use marijuana and was punishable by prison time in certain cases, and then suddenly, it is no longer a crime.

Government organizations are even encouraging the growing of marijuana and commercial use of it to get more taxes for the state, i.e. Washington State.  This leads young people to conclude, well, what about the other drugs like cocaine, etc.?  Is the government going to be allowing them soon too?

Marijuana is a gateway drug that leads to other even far worse drugs.  By gateway drug, I mean like how children and young people start smoking cigarettes and then they want to go to something ‘higher or more addictive’ like marijuana.  Then, of course, marijuana leads people to try cocaine, heroin, LSD, “Meth” and so on.

If you are truly saved, but have been experimenting with drugs, you need to repent of this and return from your backslidden condition to Christ. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“Prescription drug abuse IS STILL DRUG ABUSE. Get the facts:

• More than 2,000 teens begin abusing prescription drugs each day.
• Many kids believe prescription drugs are safer to abuse than illegal drugs.
• After marijuana, the most common drugs teens are using to get high are prescription medications…” http://www.rxsafetymatters.org

Adults can abuse prescription drugs as well and often do.  We Christians need to all remember that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we are not to defile our temples!  “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17

If you want to get to heaven, you need to repent of your sins and receive Christ.  The Bible tells us how to be saved, it says, “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10: 8-11 NKJV

What Does the Bible Say About Drugs? by Gary T. Panell

For more information Bible-Christian.org