Christians and Marijuana
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I believe that recreational use of mind-altering drugs is prohibited. Ie: "Do not be drunk with wine.", etc. Messing with our brain's functioning via chemicals is just another fleshly diversion that can carry all sorts of destructive consequences. However, if I were in need of severe chronic pain management, I would try it before opioids, which are very dangerous.
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twin1954
Baptist by the Bible
As long as it is against the law we should abstain. But God made it for our use just as He did tobacco. Of course moderation is the key. We need to also keep in mind that most companies will fire you for drug use and as long as it is considered a drug by those companies we should not use it. But if you are independently wealthy and don't need a job and it is legal where you live then moderate use is fine.
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well. I think as a christian, God wants us to develop closer relationship with Him, and not depend on man made devices to create the illusion of being spiritual. I know someone who depend on marijuana just to feel and see the presence of God. In the bible it states that we are to believe by faith not by evidence. So we need to believe without seeing, and trust that God is there. Marijuana alter our perspective and changes our minds (long term use leads to negative changes).
As a second hand sufferer (abuse from an relative who uses marijuana heavily) i am against marijuana use among christians because we are supposed to be a light in this already very dark world. We should glorify God in everything we do in our life. Drinking too much, using drugs, swearing, and all the worldly habits should not be part of our lives.
Just my thoughts.
Paul
As a second hand sufferer (abuse from an relative who uses marijuana heavily) i am against marijuana use among christians because we are supposed to be a light in this already very dark world. We should glorify God in everything we do in our life. Drinking too much, using drugs, swearing, and all the worldly habits should not be part of our lives.
Just my thoughts.
Paul
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Moderation. I think nothing about Marijuana is inherently sinful. It's abuse like alcohol or drugs is counterproductive for all.
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twin1954
Baptist by the Bible
At the same time we don't need to allow what the world thinks we should be doing to dictate our life of faith, especially the religious world.
While we are to be careful not to cause a brother to stumble we need not abstain from all enjoyment in order to meet a standard that the Bible does not set.
Most of what the world thinks a believer ought to look like is a false and unbiblical view. The fact is that we are no different than they and to set ourselves up as holier than thou is hypocritical at best. The only difference between us and them is that the grace of God has given us a new nature that seeks to honor Christ by faith.
Walking by faith is not acting a certain way in order for the world to see and approve but to look constantly to Christ by faith as all our hope and life. Faith says that He is enough for God and enough for us and we live according to that knowledge.
To think that we have to act a certain way or be a certain kind of person is subtle legalism. Sheep act like sheep because they can't help themselves. It isn't an effort or a self constraint but a new nature. Believers are not concerned with satisfying men by what we do or don't do but with following Christ by faith.
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I'm so glad I found the Reformed Faith, it was where I found true Faith in Christ.
Biggest difference I see in Reformed circles as opposed to other Christian groups is that with respect to things like alcohol and tobacco, too often I have found that Christians who belong to other groups come off as Holier than thou that they don't drink or don't smoke and look down on those that do.
It reminds me of that parable in Luke ch.18 between the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, where the Pharisee justifies himself by saying "God, I thank you that I am not like other people...I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get" to which I may add .."and I don't drink or smoke".
Biggest difference I see in Reformed circles as opposed to other Christian groups is that with respect to things like alcohol and tobacco, too often I have found that Christians who belong to other groups come off as Holier than thou that they don't drink or don't smoke and look down on those that do.
It reminds me of that parable in Luke ch.18 between the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, where the Pharisee justifies himself by saying "God, I thank you that I am not like other people...I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get" to which I may add .."and I don't drink or smoke".
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genetheking
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For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20
Marijuana, Alcohol anything that alters the mind are devices which we should not get involved with at all. Anything that clouds our mind and doesn't allow us to fully have a relationship with Christ are things we need to avoid.
Marijuana, Alcohol anything that alters the mind are devices which we should not get involved with at all. Anything that clouds our mind and doesn't allow us to fully have a relationship with Christ are things we need to avoid.
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Awaken4Christ
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Does it consume your life, is it an idol?
Can it be used in moderation?
Is it legal in your area?
Is there a chance it could become a problem?
All these questions are important when thinking about it from a Christian Worldview.
If it doesn't take away from your walk with God, then is there really a problem?
There are legitimate concerns but is your dislike of the idea from Godly thinking or that good ol' tradition
stubborness supposed moral pretext that people think is Just?
Can it be used in moderation?
Is it legal in your area?
Is there a chance it could become a problem?
All these questions are important when thinking about it from a Christian Worldview.
If it doesn't take away from your walk with God, then is there really a problem?
There are legitimate concerns but is your dislike of the idea from Godly thinking or that good ol' tradition
stubborness supposed moral pretext that people think is Just?
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Apologetic_Warrior
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Good questions, let's think through them a little.
Most anything can be an idol, there are very few exceptions. Perhaps we should be asking, does it glorify God, does it please God?
Define moderate. Your idea of moderate, mine? Moderation isn't the standard of whether something is permissible, people use such thinking for all sorts of perversion and twisting of Scripture. The why and how it is used should have priority.
How does whether something is legal or not make it right in the eyes of God? By that reasoning, because homosexuality is legal in some states, it is therefore permissible, if done in moderation?
Seriously? This sort of thinking truly undermines the doctrine of total depravity and the true nature of mankind. Anytime you play with fire, there's a chance you might get burned.
So in using Marijuana for recreational purposes, how does that differentiate the Christian Worldview from a secular worldview? Will not the use of it, create mental weakness, by which giving satan opportunity to sow the seeds of compromise in the heart?
Think sort of thinking is playing with fire. It's "how much can I get away with before "taking away from my walk", "oh well it won't hurt to take away a little, God is forgiving" and further self-deception follows.
If Jesus got onto the disciples in the garden for sleeping, for not staying alert, how much moreso to those dulling their senses intentionally by recreational use of pot?
All this said, I welcome Marijuana for medical use. I do believe it could be more effective and helpful than many over the counter drugs for pain relief. So long as man is living in a body of the flesh, living in this current state where spiritual warfare is daily, there will always be temptation to abuse anything that provides relief or temporal feelings of comfort. I mean, some people abuse aspirin, while other people like me have to take tiny dosages daily for medical conditions.
So far as legalizing it goes, I think it should be legalized, not because I want anything to do with it, but for other reasons. For one, it would put a ton of small time drug dealers out of business, and create safe transactions for God only knows how many users, and it would be another product to tax, heavy like tobacco. It very well could boost a slow economy. The fact is, (most) people that want marijuana, are gonna do whatever it takes to get it, legal or not, but politicians seem to have learned nothing from history, from the prohibition days and moon-shining whiskey. Finally if it were legalized, it would also free up law enforcement resources to put more focus on man manufactured narcotics, and perhaps better enforcing of the laws in place for those offenders.
Call me what you like, but I have "been there", I know the scenes, the people, and things that follow. This is not an easy topic, nor should it be taken lightly by anyone calling themselves a Christian. This is a topic, where there often seems to be shades of grey, where things are not quite so black and white, and where I used to see this more in black and white terms, I do acknowledge some grey area, but surely there have been enough studies that the person who has not experienced it for themselves should become aware of the side effects, and the harm it can cause, as well as benefit. I do believe a few people, not many, could possibly use it with moderation, but even in doing so, the mind, sinful as it is, may play tricks with that person, such that it becomes a mental point of focus, of fighting and resisting temptations. Like I said about playing with fire, just isn't worth it to me, I need all the soberness I can get, and I am still a mess on the inside. Mercy!
Most anything can be an idol, there are very few exceptions. Perhaps we should be asking, does it glorify God, does it please God?
Define moderate. Your idea of moderate, mine? Moderation isn't the standard of whether something is permissible, people use such thinking for all sorts of perversion and twisting of Scripture. The why and how it is used should have priority.
How does whether something is legal or not make it right in the eyes of God? By that reasoning, because homosexuality is legal in some states, it is therefore permissible, if done in moderation?
Seriously? This sort of thinking truly undermines the doctrine of total depravity and the true nature of mankind. Anytime you play with fire, there's a chance you might get burned.
So in using Marijuana for recreational purposes, how does that differentiate the Christian Worldview from a secular worldview? Will not the use of it, create mental weakness, by which giving satan opportunity to sow the seeds of compromise in the heart?
Think sort of thinking is playing with fire. It's "how much can I get away with before "taking away from my walk", "oh well it won't hurt to take away a little, God is forgiving" and further self-deception follows.
If Jesus got onto the disciples in the garden for sleeping, for not staying alert, how much moreso to those dulling their senses intentionally by recreational use of pot?
All this said, I welcome Marijuana for medical use. I do believe it could be more effective and helpful than many over the counter drugs for pain relief. So long as man is living in a body of the flesh, living in this current state where spiritual warfare is daily, there will always be temptation to abuse anything that provides relief or temporal feelings of comfort. I mean, some people abuse aspirin, while other people like me have to take tiny dosages daily for medical conditions.
So far as legalizing it goes, I think it should be legalized, not because I want anything to do with it, but for other reasons. For one, it would put a ton of small time drug dealers out of business, and create safe transactions for God only knows how many users, and it would be another product to tax, heavy like tobacco. It very well could boost a slow economy. The fact is, (most) people that want marijuana, are gonna do whatever it takes to get it, legal or not, but politicians seem to have learned nothing from history, from the prohibition days and moon-shining whiskey. Finally if it were legalized, it would also free up law enforcement resources to put more focus on man manufactured narcotics, and perhaps better enforcing of the laws in place for those offenders.
Call me what you like, but I have "been there", I know the scenes, the people, and things that follow. This is not an easy topic, nor should it be taken lightly by anyone calling themselves a Christian. This is a topic, where there often seems to be shades of grey, where things are not quite so black and white, and where I used to see this more in black and white terms, I do acknowledge some grey area, but surely there have been enough studies that the person who has not experienced it for themselves should become aware of the side effects, and the harm it can cause, as well as benefit. I do believe a few people, not many, could possibly use it with moderation, but even in doing so, the mind, sinful as it is, may play tricks with that person, such that it becomes a mental point of focus, of fighting and resisting temptations. Like I said about playing with fire, just isn't worth it to me, I need all the soberness I can get, and I am still a mess on the inside. Mercy!
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Awaken4Christ
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When I say "in moderation" I mean On a proper scale of priorities: God being on the top, health somewhere down further and the use of marijuana even further down. Moderation set by proper priorities. Yes moderation can mean this worldly sense of "anything goes" but in "moderation." That was not what i was aiming for.
"Will not the use of it, create mental weakness, by which giving satan opportunity to sow the seeds of compromise in the heart? "
That is an assumption, and the level of effect does matter based on the individual and the amount used.
"Think sort of thinking is playing with fire. It's "how much can I get away with before "taking away from my walk", "oh well it won't hurt to take away a little, God is forgiving" and further self-deception follows. "
I don't think that the heart has that intent and framework by necessity.
People eat foods and over indulge. With this line of thinking you should probably remove all sugars from your house... cause if you don't then you will think about how much you can get away with eating.
Let us not forget the the pendulum swings both ways. On one side the excuse for every worldly ungodly act, and on the other, phariseeism, Legalism , etc.
I think it is possible that there could be a Christian who smokes pot and it be ok. I'm not saying it would be the most common of situations, but a possibility.
"How does whether something is legal or not make it right in the eyes of God? By that reasoning, because homosexuality is legal in some states, it is therefore permissible, if done in moderation?"
Well if it causes strife, or isn't conducive to a peaceful life, then I could totally see following a law for that reason.
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I'm not a huge Marijuana fan, but I do know that Charles Spurgeon regularly used tobacco and is considered the Prince of Preachers so that invalidates the "abstain" because it isn't Godly crowd.
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- Jun 26, 2004
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Never smoked weed. Don't plan to start now. Twin has already corrupted my nice pink lungs by sending me a box of pipes and tobacco!
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desmalia
sounds like somebody's got a case of the mondays
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It's a complicated issue that requires a lot of research, thought and prayer. Here is some info to consider (warning: it's pretty long).
A Christian Primer on Marijuana
A Christian Primer on Marijuana
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I have a pipe once every two weeks or so and it has been a blessing. Can't wait to enjoy a pipe with you Ron after the Lord returns and we can smoke without the effects of sin on the body.
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