- Dec 20, 2019
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When it comes to drugs, the Bible addresses related topics like staying sober, avoiding temptation, being good stewards of what’s entrusted to us, guarding our hearts, and caring for our health.
While specific drugs are not addressed throughout Scripture, many passages provide wisdom that can apply to the behavior and mindset around using drugs.
Much of this wisdom shows that our health is not just something to steward. It’s something meant to glorify the Lord.
Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that’s breathing praise the Lord.”
How are our actions—or the decisions we are making—glorifying the Lord in relation to what we are putting in our bodies?
As we look to the Bible for guidance, be reminded of the power of the Word and how transformative His counsel is.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug use or addiction, understand that there is help available . Here are resources for your aid.
Let’s look at what the Bible says about drugs:
As you get caught up in the day-to-day race of life, are you pausing to recenter your focus on the Lord? In this life, it is easy to direct our priorities toward worldly things or substances. For example, drugs can become a dependence for many users. If our dependence is on anything of this world instead of completely on the Lord, we are not living according to His will.
Are you serving the desires of the flesh or serving the Lord?
Galatians 5:16-17 instructs us, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
1 John 2:16 also goes on to say, “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
The desires of the flesh come not from above! Stand firm against the temptations of the world!
Matthew 6:24 dives deeper saying, “no one can serve two masters.” It says, “He will be devoted to one and despise the other.” If you are letting drugs become the master of your life, you are unable to give the Lord your full devotion. Serve the Lord with all that you are!
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Dwell on this verse. Our bodies are from the Lord—entrusted to us! We were bought with a price! Jesus laid down His life for us to have freedom. We are to receive that grace and honor the Lord in how we treat our bodies.
The Lord also instructs us to be awake and sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6–8 says, “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
1 Peter 1:13 says, “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”
If we are using substances that can cloud our judgment or cause us to stumble, we won’t be fully on guard against the temptations of the devil. Stay alert and focused on the Lord’s promises!
Not only are we called to live with a sober mind, but we are also called to submit to authority.
Many drugs are illegal, which stands in opposition to the law. Romans 13:1 encourages us: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established..”
Living subject to authority means living subject to the law. This requires us to obey what is set in place around the use of drugs.
Lastly, we must remember that once we are justified in Christ, we become a new creation—so live like it!
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
We are to live set apart from this world and its desires.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
It takes ongoing forgiveness and repentance. We must daily take up our cross and lay down our desires so the Lord’s will can be done.
Matthew 18:8–9 says, “If your hand or foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”
Think about the things in your life that cause you to stumble or be led into temptation. What do you need to let go of in order to draw closer to the Lord?
As we talk about subjects such as drugs, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect.
Think about how you are stewarding what is entrusted to you by the Lord. For example: our bodies, resources, abilities, and opportunities.
Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
When partaking in activities that give the devil a foothold, remember that you have the power to resist it. Don’t give the enemy a seat at your table.
Don’t fall into the addiction that so often comes with drug use. Remember that in all we do, we are to glorify the Lord.
Satisfy Him, not your own desires.
The post What Does the Bible Say About Drugs? appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...
While specific drugs are not addressed throughout Scripture, many passages provide wisdom that can apply to the behavior and mindset around using drugs.
Much of this wisdom shows that our health is not just something to steward. It’s something meant to glorify the Lord.
Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that’s breathing praise the Lord.”
How are our actions—or the decisions we are making—glorifying the Lord in relation to what we are putting in our bodies?
As we look to the Bible for guidance, be reminded of the power of the Word and how transformative His counsel is.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug use or addiction, understand that there is help available . Here are resources for your aid.
Let’s look at what the Bible says about drugs:
Who Are You Serving?
As you get caught up in the day-to-day race of life, are you pausing to recenter your focus on the Lord? In this life, it is easy to direct our priorities toward worldly things or substances. For example, drugs can become a dependence for many users. If our dependence is on anything of this world instead of completely on the Lord, we are not living according to His will.
Are you serving the desires of the flesh or serving the Lord?
Galatians 5:16-17 instructs us, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
1 John 2:16 also goes on to say, “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
The desires of the flesh come not from above! Stand firm against the temptations of the world!
Matthew 6:24 dives deeper saying, “no one can serve two masters.” It says, “He will be devoted to one and despise the other.” If you are letting drugs become the master of your life, you are unable to give the Lord your full devotion. Serve the Lord with all that you are!
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Dwell on this verse. Our bodies are from the Lord—entrusted to us! We were bought with a price! Jesus laid down His life for us to have freedom. We are to receive that grace and honor the Lord in how we treat our bodies.
Staying Sober
The Lord also instructs us to be awake and sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6–8 says, “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
1 Peter 1:13 says, “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”
If we are using substances that can cloud our judgment or cause us to stumble, we won’t be fully on guard against the temptations of the devil. Stay alert and focused on the Lord’s promises!
Submitting to Authority
Not only are we called to live with a sober mind, but we are also called to submit to authority.
Many drugs are illegal, which stands in opposition to the law. Romans 13:1 encourages us: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established..”
Living subject to authority means living subject to the law. This requires us to obey what is set in place around the use of drugs.
Living in the New Creation
Lastly, we must remember that once we are justified in Christ, we become a new creation—so live like it!
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
We are to live set apart from this world and its desires.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
It takes ongoing forgiveness and repentance. We must daily take up our cross and lay down our desires so the Lord’s will can be done.
Matthew 18:8–9 says, “If your hand or foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”
Think about the things in your life that cause you to stumble or be led into temptation. What do you need to let go of in order to draw closer to the Lord?
Challenge for You
As we talk about subjects such as drugs, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect.
Think about how you are stewarding what is entrusted to you by the Lord. For example: our bodies, resources, abilities, and opportunities.
Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
When partaking in activities that give the devil a foothold, remember that you have the power to resist it. Don’t give the enemy a seat at your table.
Don’t fall into the addiction that so often comes with drug use. Remember that in all we do, we are to glorify the Lord.
Satisfy Him, not your own desires.
The post What Does the Bible Say About Drugs? appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...
