Is it a sin to use marijuana if it’s not against the law? This issue is coming to your state soon – if it hasn’t already. And even if you’re not a believer – and not concerned about living to honor God – you’ll benefit from a few facts on recreational use of pot. Here’s what you need to know:
It’s not exactly like cigarettes and alcohol
Not that those drugs can’t be dangerous, too (Proverbs 20:1). The Bible, after all, warns that we should be cautious about anything that can cause us to be diminished.
Ephesians 5:18 (NASB) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit…
Marijuana muddies your thinking and is addictive.
Pot use changes thoughts, perceptions, information processing, short-term memory and even physical functionality. Possible side effects listed by the Office of the National Drug Control Policy are schizophrenia, lower IQ, addiction, school failure, psychosis, panic attacks, memory impairment and more. Marijuana puts you in a state that allows you to avoid reality. Many young people impair their development and maturity by avoiding hardships and escaping through drugs. God uses trials to help us develop character and leadership. Drug use allows us to escape those things, to our detriment and even the detriment of others.
Proverbs 31:4-5 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s right.
That’s a principle straight out of the Bible. Paul said it to the church in Corinth:
1 Corinthians 10:23,31 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify…. Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Before we take any liberty in our lives – with our recreational choices or otherwise – we need to ask two simple questions: “How does this affect my relationship with God? How does it affect others around me?” Being impaired isn’t beneficial to God or to others. Recreational marijuana use – even if legal – is not profitable.
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- Do you know anyone who uses pot? Have you ever used it? If so, what was your reasoning?
- How is marijuana use similar to alcohol? How is it different?
- Make a pros and cons list of marijuana use. Based on these lists, do you think pot use is a good idea? Do you think these lists would change the mind of a pot user? Explain.
- Read 1 Timothy 4:1-4. How might some people take this verse out of context to justified marijuana use? What would you say to correct it?
- In your mind, is legalizing pot a problem? How will it change our culture? Defend your answer.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
