Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana: Mankind's Big Problems
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The CDC estimated almost 20% of U.S. adults smoked cigarettes in 2011. The Foundation for a Drug-Free World similarly records that over 94 million Americans have used marijuana at least once, making it the most common illicit drug in the nation today.
When such prevalent and serious obstacles present themselves, it is important for Christians to turn to God’s Word for answers and guidance.
God’s Created Benefits
Interestingly, these three, common, addictive substances are derived from plants that are part of God’s creation which He gave mankind control over from the Garden of Eden forward (Genesis:1:11-12 [11] And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.[12] And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good., Genesis:1:29-31 [29] And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
[30] And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
[31] And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.). God states that He saw that these plants were “good,” not unhealthy, evil, or even addictive. Why? The answer is that they have been perverted both by Satan and our own human nature to many sinful uses. Just because God called them good doesn’t mean that everything we do with them is good.
Alcohol can be made from many plants, each with their own group of uses, but what about tobacco and marijuana plants? They too have an interesting set of benefits. Tobacco has many gardening applications, especially as an insect repellant. Tobacco also has value in its homeopathic and medicinal use, including relieving skin inflammation, improving dental hygiene, and caring for insect bites. Marijuana has industrial potential as a fiber, including being used as a textile, paper pulp, plastic composite, thermal insulation, reinforcement for cement, fiberboard, and animal bedding. The plant can further be used for its oilseed in a plethora of products from shampoo to bread and yogurt to dietary supplements. These functions help show us how God’s creation can benefit us even when it seems impossible.
Satan’s Sinful Perversions
Intoxication, getting drunk or high, is something that is denounced by God, however. Galatians:5:19-21 [19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,[20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
[21] Envyings, 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. lists “drunkenness” negatively as a sinful “work of the flesh,” thus something for Christians to avoid. The book of Proverbs contains several admonitions with regard to substance abuse, specifically alcohol. In Proverbs:23:29-35 [29] Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
[30] They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
[31] Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
[32] At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
[33] Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
[34] Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
[35] They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again., such abuse is compared to a “serpent” and a “viper,” and further, that it will cause our heart to “utter perverse things.”
As a result, it becomes clear that seeking to get drunk or high is sin. This is because it can cause us to “forget the Law” (Proverbs:31:4-5 [4] It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
[5] Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.). What law? God’s Law! When under the influence, we lose our judgment, make poor choices, and do things we would ordinarily never do. We also experience a lack of control of our body. Christians are responsible for their actions as budding members of God’s Family, and our ability to think clearly is compromised when we are intoxicated.
Finally, utilizing these substances to push our bodies to the limit is unhealthy, and can permanently damage our bodies, which are God’s Temple for the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians:3:16-17 [16] Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
[17] If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.). God wants us to take care of our bodies, and an addiction would only separate us from Him as a form of idolatry.
Alcohol in the Bible
As a final point, alcoholic beverages are sometimes attacked for their harmful qualities, but are also spoken of positively in the Bible. In the command to attain our hearts’ desires at the Feast of Tabernacles, we are told we can spend our money on “wine or similar drink” (Deuteronomy:14:26And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,). Jesus Christ’s first recorded public miracle was to change water into wine for a wedding celebration (John:2:1-10 [1] And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:[2] And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
[3] And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
[4] Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
[5] His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
[6] And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
[7] Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
[8] And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
[9] When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
[10] And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.), and He instituted wine as a Passover symbol for His blood throughout all generations of His Church (Matthew:26:27-29 [27] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
[28] For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
[29] But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.).
Moderation and wisdom are required when employing God’s creation. Always look to what God has to say on a matter, especially on a subject as vital to your life as this. If you or someone you know struggles with alcoholism or other addictions, please consider reading our free booklet: Overcoming Alcoholism: There Is Hope! Nothing should ever be used to intoxicate us, lest it come between us and our loving Father.
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