Drugs and alcohol have become points of debate in churches all over America. Are drugs and alcohol sinful? If so, why? We’ll discuss this issue here.
I have known a great many people in my life – some of them claiming to be Christians – who were regular drug users. Typically, the drug of choice was marijuana.
I’ve also known a great number of professing Christians who drank to excess. In my time at college, it was not uncommon to hear stories of revelry and drunkenness from fellow churchgoers. Some of them would even come to church with hangovers.
In this day and age, we have taken an increasingly lax position on drug and alcohol use. Most preachers avoid these subjects entirely, whereas others even openly affirm a drug and alcohol using lifestyle.
Furthermore, there are millions of professing Christians who themselves are addicted to alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs or substances.
Some of these people are told that their addiction is “okay” and not a cause for concern.
All of this begs a question: can Christians use drugs? And what about alcohol?
It’s an important question, and it must be answered wisely and Biblically.
Drugs and Alcohol: Why All the Fuss?
It’s important for us to define what a “drug” actually is. Some classify “drugs” as the illegal substances that people use to alter their mental states. By that definition, alcohol would not be a drug, since it is not illegal.
Others maintain that a drug is any substance that has an effect on our body whatsoever, whether physical or mental. By this definition, even caffeine is a drug.
For the sake of our discussion today, let’s define a “drug” as follows:
A drug is a substance – whether legal or illegal – that is often used recreationally for the purpose of producing significant and readily-visible alterations to someone’s mental and/or physical state.
In other words, caffeine (which is a mild stimulant) does not make the cut. Cigarettes and cigars also would not make the cut.
But alcohol would definitely qualify, since alcohol very often (though not always) used to alter mental states and behaviors.
Using this definition, we can continue forward.
The Bible on Alcohol and Drugs
Some contend that the Bible has very little to say about alcohol and drug use, particularly in a contemporary context. But this is a mistaken assertion.
As it turns out, the Scriptures have A LOT to say on the issue of alcohol. Some passages of Scripture strongly condemn alcohol use, whereas others affirm it.
Let’s look at a few Scriptures from “both sides” of this debate.
Scriptures CONDEMNING Alcohol/Drug Use
Proverbs 20:1 – “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
Ephesians 5:8 – “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…”
Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:19 – “Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Scriptures SUPPORTING Alcohol Use
John 2:7-9 – “Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom”
Deuteronomy 14:26 – “And spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household.”
Isaiah 25:6 – “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.”
As you can see, Scripture has a lot to say on the matter of alcohol. Some parts of the Bible seem to support its use, whereas other strongly condemn it.
How can we make sense of this?
We simply apply common sense and Biblical principles to arrive at our answer.
Applying Biblical Principles
At the end of the day, 1 Corinthians 6:12 might just be our best guiding light with regards to this subject. Here’s the verse:
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
The principle here is one of moderation.
As Christians, we are called to be slaves to Christ (and slaves to nothing else). Anything that comes before God – whether something good (such as family) or something bad (such as lust) – is idolatry.
We must always be careful that we are not “dominated by anything.”
That applies especially to alcohol.
By its very nature, alcohol is tricky. It invites temptation. Alcohol, if consumed in a large enough quantity (which is really not that much), will alter your thought process. It will reduce your inhibitions and your ability to be alert. We read in 1 Peter 5:8-9 that we are to be “sober-minded.”
We must be always on the lookout, ready to fight temptation and resist the Devil.
Does alcohol lend itself to that? The Bible makes it clear that alcohol use in and of itself is not a sin. If you can enjoy one or two drinks here and there, taking care to remain alert and sober, then alcohol use is acceptable.
After all, even Jesus turned water into wine. If alcohol was inherently sinful, He would NEVER have done this.
But on the flip side, if you’re using alcohol to alter your mental state by becoming buzzed, drunk, uninhibited, or “bold,” then you’re committing sin. If you allow alcohol to alter your mind, you’re allowing it to dominate you.
Furthermore, being under the influence of alcohol can often lead to other sinful behavior. It is a sad reality, for example, that many women (and many men) report having been sexually abused. What is a common factor among many of these accusations?
One or both of the people involved were under the influence at the time.
Additionally, be sure to ask yourself this: do get-togethers where drunkenness occurs glorify God? If you went to college, think back to the parties that happened at fraternity or sorority houses. Was their activity God-honoring?
Chances are, it was not.
All sorts of immoral behavior usually occurs at those parties. Participating in or associating with this type of behavior is not fitting for someone who claims the name of Jesus Christ.
What About Drugs?
So far, we’ve really only addressed the issue of alcohol. The Bible has much to say on the substance we know as alcohol, but it has very little (if any) to say about modern-day drugs such as marijuana or cocaine.
This is where we really must rely on Biblical principles.
In a similar manner to alcohol, it is safe to say that no drug is “inherently sinful.” After all, drugs – like alcohol, which is simply a specific type of drug – are just chemical substances. That’s it.
Water, air, and food are also chemical substances.
Where we must look to answer the question, “Are drugs sinful?” is to their effects. Why do people use drugs? And what do drugs do?
If we examine drugs from this angle, it becomes clear that they are almost always sinful.
Let’s first take a detailed look at marijuana.
Marijuana is one of the most popular drugs in the world today, especially within the United States, and it is only growing more and more popular with time.
Many Christians have come to believe that marijuana use is acceptable and righteous.
Some are even regular users themselves.
But why do people use marijuana? I see three primary reasons:
- To medicate a physical or mental condition (medical marijuana)
- To alter their mental state by getting “high” (recreational marijuana)
- To go along with their peers or family, who are also using it (also recreational)
When used in a medical sense, marijuana might be acceptable. After all, marijuana is a plant, and is therefore a naturally-occurring substance. Scientific studies have shown that controlled marijuana usage does have the ability to medicate certain conditions.
If the ONLY reason for using marijuana is to medicate an issue, then it is likely not sinful.
But what if marijuana is used recreationally?
In that case, marijuana is – with few or no exceptions – sinful. The only reason to use marijuana recreationally is to alter one’s mental state.
Unlike alcohol, which has been a fixture in human culture for many thousands of years (and can thus be enjoyed in a purely social manner, without any expectation of going under the influence), marijuana is associated heavily with “being high.”
Nobody does recreational marijuana just to “do it.” It’s always done with the intention of altering one’s mental state. Anytime someone smokes or ingests marijuana with the intent of getting high, they’re allowing the drug to dominate them.
This flies in direct opposition to the principle of remaining sober and staying free of bad influences.
Marijuana use has also developed a very strong subculture. People get together to use marijuana and, oftentimes, engage in other sinful behavior. Marijuana usage impairs mental function and lowers inhibitions. It can also result in car accidents.
The drug is also oftentimes “laced” with other chemicals, chemicals which can be dangerous or even deadly if ingested in a large enough quantity. Additionally, marijuana is very expensive.
Should you really be spending so much money on something designed only to put you under the influence?
If we look beyond marijuana to other drugs – cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine, etc. – the same trends become readily noticeable. Nobody uses these drugs with the expectation that they will do nothing to alter the mind.
All of these drugs are used to get under the influence. They produce various mental and physical effects that people find desirable.
This is why so many people who turn to drugs become addicted: they cannot bear to live without the effects of the drug. Addiction, furthermore, creates a captive market for drug dealers and gangs. Incredible amounts of violence often occur as a result of the drug trade.
Entire criminal organizations, such as the Mexican drug cartels, derive their foundation of power from the trafficking of illegal drugs.
So, Are Drugs and Alcohol Sinful?
As a general rule, drugs (apart from alcohol) are sinful. Alcohol itself seems to be given more leeway in Scripture, though anything beyond moderate and responsible use is also something that Christians should avoid.
It’s worth noting also that, although many people may be able to enjoy alcohol without the expectation of being under the influence, the same cannot be said for other drugs.
If the drug in question is being used primarily for the intent of being buzzed, high, or otherwise under some form of influence, then the usage of that drug is a sin. This makes recreational marijuana use a sin.
The use of “harder” drugs such as methamphetamine or cocaine would also qualify as sin for the same reason.
In addition to the principle of moderation, we should also consider that Scripture tells us our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19) and that we should glorify God in our bodies (1 Cor. 6:20).
This means that we ought to take care of our bodies physically, as well as keep impure things – such as drugs – out of our systems.
Can you smoke marijuana for years without damaging your body and mind? Medical science suggests the answer is “No.” Can you drink heavily for years and not damage your body?
Once again, the answer is “No.”
As is the case with anything in life, we should be careful to obey Scripture and practice faithful obedience to our Lord. We ought to be doing everything we can to glorify Him.
Although moderate and responsible alcohol use may be done to the glory of God, it’s highly unlikely that the same can be said of heavier drinking or any form of recreational drug usage.
We should therefore also be careful to avoid these things, for alcohol and drugs have the potential to ensnare us in a pattern of sin.