Is using marijuana a sin?

[Bragi]

Is using marijuana a sin?

 

[tapero]

Hi Bragi,

It's not good for us. It makes us different than who we are meant to be. So it alters us. Same as alcohol alters us if we drink enough.

If you live in America, it's against the law as far as I know, and God does say to obey the authorities.

When I did it in my youth, the long term effect was, I wasn't as bright as I used to be, it dulled me, caused me many problems in anxiety realm. It made me a dangerous driver. I was paranoid when I was high.

I guess I don't want to say whether or not I consider it a sin. That's between you and God. You know when he tugs at your heart with the Holy Spirit. The thing is, if we continue to do something we think or feel is wrong, God eventually gives us over to it. It's a hardening of the heart.

God bless, and welcome to the forums!

 

[WalkingforHim]

Drugs aren't for everyone, but if you can use them and live a normal, productive life, then all the more power to you.

 

[oberland]

[FONT=&quot]On a related issue,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]As a Christian, I used to get drunk every weekend, then on one Sunday/Monday morning I awoke from my drunken stupor, and thought if someone were to knock on my door, and ask, “is there were a Christian in the house” I would have been ashamed to say yes in that condition. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I became disgusted with myself, and asked Jesus to help me give it up, and that night was the last night I have tasted alcohol, fifteen years later I am still free from drink, and thank the Lord that I have been set free. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If he did it for me, he will do it for you, if you mean it. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]That night I prayed a heartfelt prayer that he would help me to give it up, and praise his name he set me free, for those who the Son set free are free indeed![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]And while alcohol is not illegal (and I wouldn’t want it to be) marijuana is, and that moves the discussion into a different category, the possession of illegal drugs is contrary to most countries laws, and therefore if you are a follower of Christ you should not have, use, or obtain illegal drugs.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
1 Peter 2:13 "Submit yourself to every ordinance of man . . . to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors."
Matthew 22:21 "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's."
See also Romans 13:1,7 and Titus 3:1.
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]God bless.[/FONT]

 

[Fireinfolding]

Lets talk HERBS

Gen 1:11 Let the earth bring forth grass

Kidding


Marijuana is only legally allowed for medicinal purposes

As ~leaves~ are for healing

okay I'll stop (I cant help myself sometimes)

forgive me

Peace

Fireinfolding

 

[Phil4987]

Wwjd?

 

[tapero]

Hi Bragi,

It's not good for us. It makes us different than who we are meant to be. So it alters us. Same as alcohol alters us if we drink enough.

If you live in America, it's against the law as far as I know, and God does say to obey the authorities.

When I did it in my youth, the long term effect was, I wasn't as bright as I used to be, it dulled me, caused me many problems in anxiety realm. It made me a dangerous driver. I was paranoid when I was high.

I guess I don't want to say whether or not I consider it a sin. That's between you and God. You know when he tugs at your heart with the Holy Spirit. The thing is, if we continue to do something we think or feel is wrong, God eventually gives us over to it. It's a hardening of the heart.

God bless, and welcome to the forums!

I've posted this again to ETA: eeks, I reread this after I got up, and what I meant by the part in blue above was not meant at all about pot. Well, the subject was pot, but what i meant by the bit in blue is that, we all know what is sin for us by the Spirit tugging at our hearts.

I surely didn't mean to imply anything to the OP in this. I was just making that statement. For example: I smoke cigarettes, God has just given me over to it. He loves, me, it seems to be a sin for me, but it may not be for others, but God gives us over to the things that we don't let Him help take from us. So, by a given over, see, it no longer troubles me as it once did before, when the Holy Spirit would prompt me about it, because God has given me over to it. I've got a hardened heart in this area, as well as some others for sure.

Anyway, just needed to correct.

Thanks, and the main reason I posted in this thread was cause at the time of the night when I saw it, no one had replied to the long sitting thread. I normally don't post in this type of thread, as I see the bible says clearly some things are sins, and the others we have to figure out for ourselves if it's a sin. God bless, tapero

 

[NHB_MMA]

Is trying it out of curiosity wrong or occasional use? I don't know. I tried it a few times years ago, can't imagine I would ever do it again, but can't really feel profound regret. I mean, no harm came of it and I certainly would be curious had I never tried it.

Yet, I think being a stoner that uses on a regular basis is absolutely incompatible with Christianity.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Marijuana is a herb created by God. Some herbs have been abused than God intended. Satan corrupted the purposes of the herbs.

 

[UberLutheran]

I think that's a judgment call each person has to make for themselves.

In the case of a woman in my congregation who was in the midst of a brutal chemotherapy regimen which boiled down to which was going to kill her first, the cancer or the chemotherapy: the marijuana she smoked to abet the side effects of the chemotherapy probably saved her life. (She was down to well under 100 pounds and gained about 25 pounds once she was able to eat again.)

I also know people who smoke pot because their lives have become like a shoe which pinches their feet. (At that point, we change our shoes, e.g., do something about changing our lives because pot is nothing more than a crutch.)

 

[inyourarmsalways]

Marijuana is as sinful as eating French Fries and chocolate cake.

 

[dayhiker]

I see marijuana in the same way I see tabacco and alcahol. So I think the Gov. should treat them almost the same. We as Christains should also treat them similar. So I don't see them as inheriently sinful. The Bible has alcohal as both OK and sinful depending on how one uses it. I'd say the same is true for marijuana. I think its wrong for locking people up for a long time for having a few joints. I believe if we are going to allow people to smoke and drink and not send them to jail unless they drink drunk, then we should be putting people in jail for having a couple of joints.

that's my view
dayhiker

 

[Dvorah27]

Did you know that in ancient Israel cannabis was used for pain ? It has been archaeologically documented. It may be illegal to use in some states, so the sin would come from breaking the law. I do not believe, however, that smoking it is, by itself, a sin. It is a medicine, has been for thousands of years.

 

[SymphonicaX]

Ok I'm confused on the whole issue of whether it's sin or not. I've heard of Christians doing it and it really bugs me because I think of what the world thinks of us...we are supposed to be representatives of Christ, and in the light, not worshipping with the darkness, but that's how I grew up, so I feel really hurt when I hear Christians supporting and using marijuana.

Now here is the conclusion I've come to so far. I am going to be open to your views on the issue so I don't come off as closed-minded:

1) Marijuana is sorcery and witchcraft. Galatians 5:19-21: "19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

- In the greek witchcraft means use of and administering of drugs. Now drugs is subjective here so I'm lost. I see it as drugs against the spirit, and to me Marijuana seems like something spiritual, but I could be wrong.

2) Marijuana is a form of drunkenness. Gal 5-19-21.
- Drunkenness is forbidden in the bible. Yes drunkenness is often associated with drinking alcohol, but if you look at the greek, drunkenness translates to intoxication and Marijuana definitely intoxicates you!

3) We are called to be Sober and Marijuana prevents that. Titus 2:6, 1 Peter 5:8.
- Sober is avoiding intoxication and Marijuana intoxicates.

4) Marijuana is mind-altering.
- Aren't we supposed to be self-controlled, but marijuana prohibits that right? So how do we control ourselves if we are intoxicated?

5) Just because God made everything doesn't mean we abuse it. God made the tree of good and evil, yet Eve and Adam ate of it.

6) Marijuana is celebrated by the darkness or the "world"
- If the world indulges in and celebrates the world, shouldn't we as Christians separate ourselves from their worldy practicies?
- I guess if you use it once in a while and don't celebrate it with the world and as the world does, then it may not be sinful...
- this goes with Alcohol too. I guess it is how we use alcohol rather than drinking alcohol. If we use it to celebrate it at a party with other college students, aren't we submitting to darkness and "idolizing" alcohol before God? Same goes for Marijuana

7) The only context I can see Marijuana used without sin is in medical practices.
- BUT are we trusting in God for something that causes intoxication or are trusting man's definition and practice?
- This could be said of having a diet plan with food. Are we trusting God to eat and live or are we trusting man's definition or practice? But then food doesn't regularly intoxicate.

All of these things I've researched, I've tried to relate to biblical principles. This is why I've come to my own conscience to conclude that Marijuana is sin.

I will admit this:

1) I grew up learning that marijuana is sin. It is ingrained in my brain that is people use it, they are sinning. So to me it's sinful and it HURTS me when I hear or see Christians doing it.

2) I am open to hearing your views on the scriptures I used to support marijuana being sinful. I haven't heard a good response for and against marijuana being labeled as witchcraft, and for marijuana being drunkenness or intoxication.

 

[KOTTMatt]

in my opinion it is. cause smoking Marijuana gives you the high feeling. Disconnecting you not only from the world but also from God. You enter your own world. Marijuana is used by those who are under lots and lots of stress and become additicted to it. and they depend on it instead of God. and it destroys your life and friends and it puts you in danger and people are hurt by Marijuana addiction in more ways than one.

 

[dies-l]

Ok I'm confused on the whole issue of whether it's sin or not. I've heard of Christians doing it and it really bugs me because I think of what the world thinks of us...we are supposed to be representatives of Christ, and in the light, not worshipping with the darkness, but that's how I grew up, so I feel really hurt when I hear Christians supporting and using marijuana.

Now here is the conclusion I've come to so far. I am going to be open to your views on the issue so I don't come off as closed-minded:

1) Marijuana is sorcery and witchcraft. Galatians 5:19-21: "19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

- In the greek witchcraft means use of and administering of drugs. Now drugs is subjective here so I'm lost. I see it as drugs against the spirit, and to me Marijuana seems like something spiritual, but I could be wrong.

2) Marijuana is a form of drunkenness. Gal 5-19-21.
- Drunkenness is forbidden in the bible. Yes drunkenness is often associated with drinking alcohol, but if you look at the greek, drunkenness translates to intoxication and Marijuana definitely intoxicates you!

3) We are called to be Sober and Marijuana prevents that. Titus 2:6, 1 Peter 5:8.
- Sober is avoiding intoxication and Marijuana intoxicates.

4) Marijuana is mind-altering.
- Aren't we supposed to be self-controlled, but marijuana prohibits that right? So how do we control ourselves if we are intoxicated?

5) Just because God made everything doesn't mean we abuse it. God made the tree of good and evil, yet Eve and Adam ate of it.

6) Marijuana is celebrated by the darkness or the "world"
- If the world indulges in and celebrates the world, shouldn't we as Christians separate ourselves from their worldy practicies?
- I guess if you use it once in a while and don't celebrate it with the world and as the world does, then it may not be sinful...
- this goes with Alcohol too. I guess it is how we use alcohol rather than drinking alcohol. If we use it to celebrate it at a party with other college students, aren't we submitting to darkness and "idolizing" alcohol before God? Same goes for Marijuana

7) The only context I can see Marijuana used without sin is in medical practices.
- BUT are we trusting in God for something that causes intoxication or are trusting man's definition and practice?
- This could be said of having a diet plan with food. Are we trusting God to eat and live or are we trusting man's definition or practice? But then food doesn't regularly intoxicate.

All of these things I've researched, I've tried to relate to biblical principles. This is why I've come to my own conscience to conclude that Marijuana is sin.

I will admit this:

1) I grew up learning that marijuana is sin. It is ingrained in my brain that is people use it, they are sinning. So to me it's sinful and it HURTS me when I hear or see Christians doing it.

2) I am open to hearing your views on the scriptures I used to support marijuana being sinful. I haven't heard a good response for and against marijuana being labeled as witchcraft, and for marijuana being drunkenness or intoxication.

I think most of the above arguments are strong reasons that Christians should abstain. Thanks for sharing.

For myself, but for Romans 13:1-6, this would be a difficult issue to form an opinion on. After all, the Bible teaches that drunkenness is a sin, but we know that whether one chooses to abstain completely from alcohol is a matter of individual conscience. Marijuana, however, is not specifically mentioned in the Bible. So, should we analogize it to alcohol? Or, should we see it as "witchcraft" (pharmakia), as condemned in Gal. 5? The answer isn't obvious to me; I frown on it because I think it does far more harm than good, but I also think the same can be said of alcohol, and I don't think that there is a clear biblical answer about marijuana per se.

However, Christians that live in the U.S. or any other country in which marijuana use is illegal should abstain. See Rom. 13:1-6. The only morally acceptable reason I can think of to violate the law is when the law is morally unjust such that it compels you to violate God's law. Since there is certainly nothing in Sciprture that compels smoking marijuana, I don't think one can make the argument that marijuana prohibition is so unjust as to allow Christians to ignore it. Therefore, we (American Christians) should obey the law and abstain, whether or not we can justify the act within our individual conscience.

 

[Filina]

I learned that nearly everyone who ends up
in heroine, started with marjjuana.

The danger is to get more and more
dependent on the grass and then go on from there
to other stronger drugs.

Sometimes a person just needs to find a way to
relax, if it is at all possible I would advice to
avoid anything which can cause dependence.

 

[SymphonicaX]

I think most of the above arguments are strong reasons that Christians should abstain. Thanks for sharing.

For myself, but for Romans 13:1-6, this would be a difficult issue to form an opinion on. After all, the Bible teaches that drunkenness is a sin, but we know that whether one chooses to abstain completely from alcohol is a matter of individual conscience. Marijuana, however, is not specifically mentioned in the Bible. So, should we analogize it to alcohol? Or, should we see it as "witchcraft" (pharmakia), as condemned in Gal. 5? The answer isn't obvious to me; I frown on it because I think it does far more harm than good, but I also think the same can be said of alcohol, and I don't think that there is a clear biblical answer about marijuana per se.

However, Christians that live in the U.S. or any other country in which marijuana use is illegal should abstain. See Rom. 13:1-6. The only morally acceptable reason I can think of to violate the law is when the law is morally unjust such that it compels you to violate God's law. Since there is certainly nothing in Sciprture that compels smoking marijuana, I don't think one can make the argument that marijuana prohibition is so unjust as to allow Christians to ignore it. Therefore, we (American Christians) should obey the law and abstain, whether or not we can justify the act within our individual conscience.

I can understand the opinion of forming a relationship with alcohol, but drunkenness in the greek is clearly intoxication and the context of galatians 5:19-21 doesn't mention alcohol, so it makes me think that all forms of intoxication along with other biblical principles of self-control, lead me to think that marijuana is sin.

Not many people have really argued about the drunkenness aspect. What do you guys think?

 

[Maynard Keenan]

I'll clear up some misconceptions in this thread:

Witchcraft isn't smoking herbs. Witchcraft is calling upon the power of ungodly spirits.

Marijuana doesn't cause dependence. Unlike Alcohol, tobacco, or some illegal drugs, Marijuana causes no changes in body chemistry which cause dependency. Any "addiction" to marijuana is the same as an addiction to ice cream. You "crave" it because it is pleasurable.

Using a drug isn't idolatry. Igniting something and inhaling is not worship.

Marijuana is not just something you use if you are stressed as some sort of substitute for God. People use it because it feels good.


Make arguments for or against, but please don't argue out of ignorance.

 

[JimfromOhio]

I can understand the opinion of forming a relationship with alcohol, but drunkenness in the greek is clearly intoxication and the context of galatians 5:19-21 doesn't mention alcohol, so it makes me think that all forms of intoxication along with other biblical principles of self-control, lead me to think that marijuana is sin.

Not many people have really argued about the drunkenness aspect. What do you guys think?

Does that mean any patients are not to use morphine or any other medications that causes "intoxication" in the body?