Sin or not?

I used to smoke a lot too.

Stop trying to label it as "sinful" or "legal". God wants, more than anything, for you to be happy, to be healthy in every way. So you need to figure out whether or not weed is good for you. You're not supposed to be led by the letter, your conscience or other people's opinions, but by the Spirit and your heart. The more time you spend with Jesus, the more you look to him, the more you will become like him. When I started doing that, my addictions weaned off gradually, it didn't even take the route via my willpower.

I must also object to the idea that you can't be filled with drugs and the Spirit at the same time. That's an unfounded idea, which is, at best, only the experience of one particular person. I've had some of my most profound spiritual experiences when drunk and stoned.

God does not depend on you being stoned or sober.

Hello all,

It was with great interest that I read this thread. I am a smoker, and I've asked myself this very question time and time again. Is it a sin?

I ask you to please bear with this new Christian. I am trying to understand, and I may not have it all right. So please try not to judge me for my ignorance...I'm learning.

In the Bible, I have read that God gave all of the seed bearing plants to us to use as food. And...marijuana is more than just an intoxicant. Food...fiber...fuel...medicine...it's a multi-purpose gift. How can this gift from God be wrong?

Then I read in this thread that God said that we are to adhere to the laws of our countries (I haven't gotten that far in my Bible study yet). Well, laws can and do vary. So, if I'm in my own state where it is illegal, I cannot smoke it because it's a sin. But if I travel to a state where the law is more lax, it then becomes ok?

I just don't get it. Can someone help me understand?

snickerdoodle said:

Hello all,

It was with great interest that I read this thread. I am a smoker, and I've asked myself this very question time and time again. Is it a sin?

I ask you to please bear with this new Christian. I am trying to understand, and I may not have it all right. So please try not to judge me for my ignorance...I'm learning.

In the Bible, I have read that God gave all of the seed bearing plants to us to use as food. And...marijuana is more than just an intoxicant. Food...fiber...fuel...medicine...it's a multi-purpose gift. How can this gift from God be wrong?

Then I read in this thread that God said that we are to adhere to the laws of our countries (I haven't gotten that far in my Bible study yet). Well, laws can and do vary. So, if I'm in my own state where it is illegal, I cannot smoke it because it's a sin. But if I travel to a state where the law is more lax, it then becomes ok?

I just don't get it. Can someone help me understand?

Click to expand...

Smoking and other drugs to get high illegal or not are wrong for the mere fact that they harm you, which if you serve God are a temple and belong to God. How cana decaying destroyed temple bring glory to God? It can't, so harming that temple which belongs to God is sin, such as trying to cut yourself up or kill yourself is.

Smoking weed is wrong because Suicide is wrong.

Human beings were made in 'imago dei', in the image of God. Because of this, they should not harm their own bodies, because it is insulting to God.

Smoking weed, just like smoking tobacco is harmful. That cannot be denied. It is throwing away life that God has given us, in the same way that excessive drinking is.

Giving up my be hard, but it is the right thing to do.

Some times it takes more than our own will power to stop smoking, don't use that as a excuss though to continue, I believe smoking weed is a sin, and I will let you in on why. First, I want you to know that I am a new christian as well, and have a history of drug use, the reason some christians are so critical of drug use between them and god, that is one of the best things I can let you know so far in my journey, is no one can judge you but god. Now, it isn't the pyshical act of smoking weed that is a sin, it is the things that happen after you do it, first, you do it because you think it will be fun, but it will spiral out of control, there is no way to understand this, you can see it in other people, but of course, you tell yourself, that's them, this is me, how do I know that is going to happen to me, I only do it to get fun out of it, not like they use it because they have to, I don't have to, I CHOOSE to. That is the first, and biggest mistake that some people make in their life time. The thing is, it's impossible to know if you are a drug addict, unless you use drugs. So if you try it, then you'd better be feeling pretty lucky, because I have only seen two people out of the over hundred or two in my life that I have known that could stop when they wanted to. I am the only one out of those couple hundred that I know have quit as well, many have tried, but I am the only one that is truly an addict that I know, that has quit, why could I stop, I didn't, god let me...

My story to help you understand some, I started using alcohol, then smoked some weed, that was great, I meet so many people, and my life was so much better, as in I was SOOO much happier, I had friends, I felt important, I was in a band, life was one big party, and I was loving it, then one night while I was too high to know what I was doing, someone offered me a nerve pill, now before I thought Oh, pill heads, they are nothing but losers. I took the pill and off I went, into a spiraling nightmare, I lost alot of my friends, I lost my home, family, because I couldn't stop, I stole, I lied, I did everyhing for my benifit, and didn't care what god had to say about it. I was misserable, anyway this was off and on for about years, until I stole my moms atm card, withdrew about $1,200, I spent it all on pain pills, which had become my drug of choice. I should have died that night, but I didn't. God was their, and if he wasn't, I wouldn't be. I was homeless, I even spent a night in a homeless shelter, only my pride was too great, and I left. I told god that either something had to change right now, or I was going to kill myself, well as you can see, I am now no where near that point in my life now, and it is because of god. The point is, can you see how the drugs changed me, does someone that comes on to a christan message board with a past like that not show you, not only does god exist, but that he will deliever you from this addiction, but faith in him, because only he can set you free, I know this, I have lived it. If you smoke, you might not live the way I did, ask yourself this one simple question, can you stop, and if your answer is yes, but why would I want to, and you actually read this whole thing, and don't know why you would want to stop, then ask god to tell you what you should do, ask him to show you weither this is a sin, get baptised, because after that god will let you know, he lets me know all the time. BTW if you need help, or want to talk about this more, PM me.

snickerdoodle said:

Hello all,

It was with great interest that I read this thread. I am a smoker, and I've asked myself this very question time and time again. Is it a sin?

I ask you to please bear with this new Christian. I am trying to understand, and I may not have it all right. So please try not to judge me for my ignorance...I'm learning.

In the Bible, I have read that God gave all of the seed bearing plants to us to use as food. And...marijuana is more than just an intoxicant. Food...fiber...fuel...medicine...it's a multi-purpose gift. How can this gift from God be wrong?

Then I read in this thread that God said that we are to adhere to the laws of our countries (I haven't gotten that far in my Bible study yet). Well, laws can and do vary. So, if I'm in my own state where it is illegal, I cannot smoke it because it's a sin. But if I travel to a state where the law is more lax, it then becomes ok?

I just don't get it. Can someone help me understand?

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Well, everything god gave us can be used for the wrong reason, I think that Coke is made from a plant as well, do you think smoking coke or snorting coke is wrong? You see I think God gave us all plants to eat and such, but I don't know if he wanted us to roll it up and smoke it, I would say that we can use all the things God has giving us, but we are not to hurt our selves with it, everything in this world came from something that god created, think of it this way, should you use a rope? Well you can do alot of things with one, but you can also hang yourself? Should you do that? Nope.... hope that helps.

BigChrisfilm said:

Well, everything god gave us can be used for the wrong reason, I think that Coke is made from a plant as well, do you think smoking coke or snorting coke is wrong? You see I think God gave us all plants to eat and such, but I don't know if he wanted us to roll it up and smoke it, I would say that we can use all the things God has giving us, but we are not to hurt our selves with it, everything in this world came from something that god created, think of it this way, should you use a rope? Well you can do alot of things with one, but you can also hang yourself? Should you do that? Nope.... hope that helps.

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We need to use the gifts that God has given us
And to use minister to them
Especially the non-believers!

In Galations 5:19 Paul the Apostle describes the works of the flesh. One of these works is sorcery, or pharmakeia in greek. Pharmakeia means medicine, think about it, pharmacy! In the days of antiquity there were mind altering substances that people would abuse, and this is the sorcery that Paul and the apostle John in the book of Revelation also condemn. In no way does "pharmakeia" refer to asprin or tylenol, but to substances that have the power to alter your state of consciousness. Paul then writes that those who PRACTICE these things will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Now does marijuana fall into this category? I would say yes.

Ive been a christian for 15 months now and im still learning about the faith. I dont think its possible to know it all but thats what my goal is. Now here is the weird thing; ive been smoking weed for the past two weeks now, i havent smoked in many years so its kinda of odd how i just kinda started again. I smoke small small amounts at night. The strange part is this; im in law school in my first year, second semester. I attend thomas jefferson school of law. Since the two week "experiment" my performance in school has skyrocketed. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT I AM ADHD AND HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A PSYCHOLOGIST AT LEAST 4 TIMES. I tried taking ritalin, adderol, all the other medication and none of them worked. Its weird, when i smoke a tiny bit of weed, just 2 or 3 puffs, i start to read intensely, i clean my apartment, i read scripture and understand much better. My professors have complimented my performance in class on many different occasions. Is it possible, just is it, that marijuana can possibly be my medication? Normally im so HYPER that i cant even sit still. When i read i skim the material because my brain is going 400mph. Its almost as if the marijuana slows me down to a normal pace while still allowing me to think critically. If this is sin i will stop it immediately. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS SO CALLED EXPERIMENT AS I AM A GRADUATE STUDENT AND HAVE NOT SMOKED MARIJUANA PRIOR TO THIS EXPERIMENT FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS.

Anyone with some insight please respond.
Glory be to God

Georgie said:

In Galations 5:19 Paul the Apostle describes the works of the flesh. One of these works is sorcery, or pharmakeia in greek. Pharmakeia means medicine, think about it, pharmacy! In the days of antiquity there were mind altering substances that people would abuse, and this is the sorcery that Paul and the apostle John in the book of Revelation also condemn. In no way does "pharmakeia" refer to asprin or tylenol, but to substances that have the power to alter your state of consciousness. Paul then writes that those who PRACTICE these things will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Now does marijuana fall into this category? I would say yes.

Ive been a christian for 15 months now and im still learning about the faith. I dont think its possible to know it all but thats what my goal is. Now here is the weird thing; ive been smoking weed for the past two weeks now, i havent smoked in many years so its kinda of odd how i just kinda started again. I smoke small small amounts at night. The strange part is this; im in law school in my first year, second semester. I attend thomas jefferson school of law. Since the two week "experiment" my performance in school has skyrocketed. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT I AM ADHD AND HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A PSYCHOLOGIST AT LEAST 4 TIMES. I tried taking ritalin, adderol, all the other medication and none of them worked. Its weird, when i smoke a tiny bit of weed, just 2 or 3 puffs, i start to read intensely, i clean my apartment, i read scripture and understand much better. My professors have complimented my performance in class on many different occasions. Is it possible, just is it, that marijuana can possibly be my medication? Normally im so HYPER that i cant even sit still. When i read i skim the material because my brain is going 400mph. Its almost as if the marijuana slows me down to a normal pace while still allowing me to think critically. If this is sin i will stop it immediately. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS SO CALLED EXPERIMENT AS I AM A GRADUATE STUDENT AND HAVE NOT SMOKED MARIJUANA PRIOR TO THIS EXPERIMENT FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS.

Anyone with some insight please respond.
Glory be to God

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MY BROTHER,

Prior to becoming a Christian i was a weed-head for about 26 years of my life--quitting many times but always coming back to smoking as a result of "experiments" very similiar to yours--the details of which are irrelevant.

The thing you need to be aware of is that the so-called "great improvements" you see are temporary, and are Satanic delusions designed to suck you away from God and back into usage--back into the darkness. i have been led astray by the Adversary using this scam so many times--i hope and pray that you will not make the same mistake.

Georgie said:

Paul then writes that those who PRACTICE these things will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Now does marijuana fall into this category? I would say yes.

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I WOULD AGREE! The only "medicine" you need is the Lord Jesus, but what you are saying is that weed does things for you that He cannot do. By thinking in this way you are making cannabis your God. (Sorry, there is no "nice" way of putting that.) If you pray with an open heart and an honest mind, God will reveal the sin to you--as He did to me.

A BOND-SLAVE OF CHRIST,
ephraim

Ephesian 5:18 would apply directly to you. You should stop getting under the influence of mind altering drugs, alcohol, or substances, but instead seek to find what the Lord wants you to do, and ask Jesus to be fill and control you by Holy Spirit...on a daily basis. If you can't stop using drugs or alcohol then find a church AA or NA like program and work the 12 steps, with Jesus Christ as your "higher power".

If you believe that Jesus was God and was born of a virgin woman, that he lived a sinless life on earth as a human, allowed himself to be killed on the cross like a common criminal, then died, was dead three days and nights, and was raised to life, AND you have confessed that Jesus is your Savior and Lord, you have the Holy Spirit inside of you right now!...so pray every day, to be filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit so that you can live a life of overcoming and bring Glory to God...and receive bountiful rewards of the Spirit; Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, and Goodness.

Beleg said:

I'm a new Christian, and I dont really know too much. I also smoke weed pretty often. I get into pretty heated arguements with people about it, and I've noticed many people simply type/say "sinner!" "your going to hell" and "repent!", without really backing it up.

Anyway, is it really such a horrible thing? Is it even a sin? And why are some Christians so hostile about it? Do they think stoners can't love Christ?

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I will go with the old verse, do not be drunk on wine.
It is the fact that we are not in control of our actions. We are witnesses for Christ, we need to have a pure mind and body. We should be submitting our control of our mind and body over to Christ, not to drugs which inhibit discernment and functionality. If you have an addiction to a drug, always remember Christ can set you free, if you let Him.

About it being a SIN, per say? Not sure, i think if you are asking yourself if it is a sin, you may be missing the point. We should be doing God's will, not [edit] JUST [/edit] avoiding bad things.
Hope that helped.

We as Christians should do the best
To not sin less we make other non-believers
Or young believers stumble as
We are putting a stumbling blocks in front of them!
That is the way I see it.

If you think its wrong stop doing it,It affects some people more differently,just be carefull people slip some dangerous [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] into it

Brokyn888 said:

If you think its wrong stop doing it,It affects some people more differently,just be carefull people slip some dangerous [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] into it

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wow, you are very wise for a 7 year old

Brokyn888 said:

If you think its wrong stop doing it,It affects some people more differently,just be carefull people slip some dangerous [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] into it

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ACTUALLY, AS A RECOVERYING WEEDHEAD MYSELF, I KNOW THAT THE TRUTH IS THAT IT EFFECTS EVERYONE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME--IT TURNS THEIR MINDS 180 DEGREES AWAY FROM GOD.

ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY CAN BE A TOKER AND A CHRISTIAN AT THE SAME TIME IS SERIOUSLY DELUDED!

IN CHRIST,
ephraim

I actually found that toking made me think more about God and spiritual issues. Not that it was good for me, and I'm glad I quit.

I don't like the word sin. I can't see it will make you happy in the long run though?

I do believe it is a sin, but we all sin. And for the "Christians" that condemn you, they shouldn't be doing that because that is a sin. As a Christian, it is my job to love you and let you know it is a sin.
This is what the Bible says about discipline within the Church (Matthew 18:15-17):
1. Go to the brother or sister, show the fault to himor her in private.
2. If he/she does not listen, go with one or two witnesses.
3. If he/she refuses to listen, take the matter before the church.

But as a fellow Christian not in your Church, I should in love show you why it is wrong, but not judge you!
1 Corinthians 4:5 says Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time: wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Smoking pot is something you need to pray about. Don't worry about what others say or think. After praying about it, you should also ask yourself this question:
Am I being Christ-like by smoking pot?
I know that everything I do is not Christ-like. But my goal everyday is do be more like Christ! Pray and read the Word and your answer will come to you.

I used to smoke pot as well. I was tempted like a month ago by the enemy and even though it doesn't say or talk about it in the bible if it is something that is hindering you from growing, or distancing you from God, then you should pray that God may break you from that bondage. Do you want to grow in your faith and walk with God? I guess those are questions you should ask yourself. Another thing not to scare you or anything that my friend brought it up, about being careful about smoking weed that it is almost a form of sorcery because it opens your mind for all types of attacks from the enemy. Just keep praying about it.
Read Romans 7:7-25
Also since you are new Christian, try and read the word of God as often as you can. That will help you grow.
Remember man does not live on bread alone.
God Bless you and be with you that you may draw closer to God to know his will for your life and that you may truly trust God, and Love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. in Jesus name, amen.

"Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, and pleasing and perfect will."
Romans 12:1-2