Greetings to all!
First and foremost, bless each and everyone of you who are brought here to discuss this topic. I have been a believer all my life, but I truly turned my life to Christ last April. It has been such a rewarding life since!
My question is: is medical marijuana a blessing from God or a curse from Satan?
I have been a heavy smoker since 2010 and gave it up two months ago. I have no intentions of smoking again, but this topic does come up with friends, and I want to make sure I'm giving the right answers. Warning: i am very new to forums, so I'm going to organize this the best way I can. Also, if this topic belongs in another place, let me know!
1 Peter 5:8 ESV -
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Marijuana affects people differently, just as some mediciations affect some differently. If marijuana impairs you, you should treat it like alcohol, and not become a drunk. Some people can smoke a very small amount and be "loopy," while most of the population smoke to stabilize or add spice to their life while being very attached with their minds.
Ephesians 5:18 ESV
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
For those who use for stabilization, for clarity, for true shalom, are somewhat addicted. Marijuana doesn't have the addictive properties as other hard drugs, but just as someone can be addicted to inappropriate contentography, video games, etc... it can be addictive. To my understanding, addiction to a substance is worldly, something that you will not find in heaven. If you get "so high" just because "it's awesome," I cannot see that as a Godly thing. If used incorrectly, it can take over your life, push family members away, turn you into a couch potato, limit your professional environment, make you over eat (gluttony), etc.
Romans 13:13-14 ESV
Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
But, even if it is seemingly addicting, if you could give it up for God for periods of time to honor that you hold dominance over all on this Earth, is marijuana bad in that sense?
Romans 13:1-5 ESV
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
Let's not forget about the illegal part of this argument. We are to obey the laws of the land, respect politicians and live quietly if we disagree with them, etc. Most people who smoke marijuana do so on states that weed is illegal and considered a crime. In my state, anything above half an ounce is considered a felony.
Genesis 9:3 ESV
Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
Genesis 1:29 ESV
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.
During my time smoking marijuana and strongly pursuing God, I believe it helped draw me closer to Him. I would smoke, try to play a video game or watch a show, then be drawn to write Christian songs, write Christian poems, pray or talk about Jesus with my wife (who wasn't a strong believer at this point - is now though!) instead. If anyone could help me answer this:
1) When I would smoke and be drawn closer to God, was that because marijuana is a blessing from God? Or, in my sin, was God trying to intervene and deliver me from evil?
2) If you use marijuana as a mental medicine, kind of like "Use once every four hours or as needed," is it truly bad?
3) Even if it's illegal in a state, is it Godly to smoke marijuana? (I don't think so)
4) To a New Christian with a lot of friends who smoke marijuana, what other advice could I be giving them besides what I have listed?
5) I know there are more angles to this argument. Please let me know if I'm missing something that could further suppprt this topic.
Once again, bless you all that participate and can help me clarify what God wants the lives of His children! His law and His word are supreme; for I do not want to follow anything that isn't in Him. He delivered me from a lifetime of sin and I am forever grateful to His endless love and support, and only wish to allow Him to channel His will through me. God bless and may He always be with you!
First and foremost, bless each and everyone of you who are brought here to discuss this topic. I have been a believer all my life, but I truly turned my life to Christ last April. It has been such a rewarding life since!
My question is: is medical marijuana a blessing from God or a curse from Satan?
I have been a heavy smoker since 2010 and gave it up two months ago. I have no intentions of smoking again, but this topic does come up with friends, and I want to make sure I'm giving the right answers. Warning: i am very new to forums, so I'm going to organize this the best way I can. Also, if this topic belongs in another place, let me know!
1 Peter 5:8 ESV -
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Marijuana affects people differently, just as some mediciations affect some differently. If marijuana impairs you, you should treat it like alcohol, and not become a drunk. Some people can smoke a very small amount and be "loopy," while most of the population smoke to stabilize or add spice to their life while being very attached with their minds.
Ephesians 5:18 ESV
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
For those who use for stabilization, for clarity, for true shalom, are somewhat addicted. Marijuana doesn't have the addictive properties as other hard drugs, but just as someone can be addicted to inappropriate contentography, video games, etc... it can be addictive. To my understanding, addiction to a substance is worldly, something that you will not find in heaven. If you get "so high" just because "it's awesome," I cannot see that as a Godly thing. If used incorrectly, it can take over your life, push family members away, turn you into a couch potato, limit your professional environment, make you over eat (gluttony), etc.
Romans 13:13-14 ESV
Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
But, even if it is seemingly addicting, if you could give it up for God for periods of time to honor that you hold dominance over all on this Earth, is marijuana bad in that sense?
Romans 13:1-5 ESV
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
Let's not forget about the illegal part of this argument. We are to obey the laws of the land, respect politicians and live quietly if we disagree with them, etc. Most people who smoke marijuana do so on states that weed is illegal and considered a crime. In my state, anything above half an ounce is considered a felony.
Genesis 9:3 ESV
Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
Genesis 1:29 ESV
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.
During my time smoking marijuana and strongly pursuing God, I believe it helped draw me closer to Him. I would smoke, try to play a video game or watch a show, then be drawn to write Christian songs, write Christian poems, pray or talk about Jesus with my wife (who wasn't a strong believer at this point - is now though!) instead. If anyone could help me answer this:
1) When I would smoke and be drawn closer to God, was that because marijuana is a blessing from God? Or, in my sin, was God trying to intervene and deliver me from evil?
2) If you use marijuana as a mental medicine, kind of like "Use once every four hours or as needed," is it truly bad?
3) Even if it's illegal in a state, is it Godly to smoke marijuana? (I don't think so)
4) To a New Christian with a lot of friends who smoke marijuana, what other advice could I be giving them besides what I have listed?
5) I know there are more angles to this argument. Please let me know if I'm missing something that could further suppprt this topic.
Once again, bless you all that participate and can help me clarify what God wants the lives of His children! His law and His word are supreme; for I do not want to follow anything that isn't in Him. He delivered me from a lifetime of sin and I am forever grateful to His endless love and support, and only wish to allow Him to channel His will through me. God bless and may He always be with you!