On January 1st of this year it became legal to purchase recreational marijuana in the state of Colorado. It would seem that we voted first and are just now starting to have deeper dialogue about the future consequences of this action. For some this new law is like independence day, others are wondering what the big deal is and still others see this as one more slip on the slope toward radical moral decay. I am sure you have been listening to the media’s spin and have heard from friends on both sides of this issue.
But, have you taken time to search the Word of God to see what God’s perspective is on the issue?
BODY
What is the impact of marijuana on your body?
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
The medical community has known for a fact that marijuana use has some physical problems associated with it. Here is a short list of possible issues:
· Respiratory problems including increased cough and respiratory infections. Since there are significantly more carcinogens in marijuana than in tobacco we may see more lung cancers in the future.
· GI problems with significant increases in cyclical vomiting in the ER from chronic marijuana users
· Cardiac problems with increased heart rates and heart attacks due to the well known and documentation of issues with chronic smoke inhalation
· GU problems with increases in bladder cancer and a 70% increase in testicular cancer
· Psych problems with increases in depression, paranoia, and suicidal tendencies
· Neuro problems with structural abnormalities in brain tissue especially in teens and young adults
· Misc. problems include missed work days, decreased libido, impotence, infertility due to decreased sperm count and motility, weight gain, delayed healing, impaired short term memory and withdrawal symptoms which can be seen including irritability, agitation, depression and insomnia when marijuana is stopped.
For followers of Jesus it should be clear that marijuana use is not good stewardship of one’s body. Even for those who think they can do what they want with their body, it does not make good medical sense to use marijuana. But what about medical marijuana? There are legitimate medical options for treating medical issues with a standardized form of THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) called marinol/dronabinal. If medical marijuana was truly a “medicine” it should be subjected to the same procedures as other pharmaceuticals with rigorous double blinded studies investigating indications, safety, dosing etc. In Colorado, the main indication for medical marijuana prescriptions is “chronic back pain” and the average age of that “chronic back pain” is the young twenties. (Hmm?)
(Community Health Issues, CHI-Colorado.org, February 2014, pages 1-31; also check out Aspen Medical Care’s site at www.aspenmedicalcare.com)
MIND & SPIRIT
What is the impact of marijuana on your mind and spirit?
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…”
(Ephesians 5:18)
Some have been saying that marijuana use is really no different than the use of alcohol. Both can be very destructive if abused. The main difference between marijuana use and alcohol use is motivation. Throughout the centuries people have enjoyed a drink of wine or beer. Jesus drank wine. His first miracle was turning 160 gallons of water into fine wine at a wedding. (John 2) Paul encouraged Timothy to drink some wine for his stomach problem. (1 Timothy 5:23) So, the scriptures advocate drinking alcohol moderately, but are clear about the sin and dangers of drinking in excess. The only motivation for marijuana use is getting high – altering one’s mental state.
What are the spiritual dangers of getting high?
The Greek word “pharmakeia” which we get our word “pharmacy” from, is used several times in the New Testament. It is translated as sorcery or witchcraft. (Gal 5:20; Rev. 9:21, 18:23, 21:8, 22:15) Ancient cults as well as modern cults and some religions regularly use drugs to alter the state of one’s mind to engage the spiritual realm. The Hebrew root word for witchcraft in the Old Testament (Deut 18:10, Ex 22:18, Is 47:9, 12; Je 27:9) means “to cut” and refers to the cutting of herbs for potions and charms. Both the Old and New Testaments clearly forbid involvement in the occult and any mind altering drugs.
We were created in the image of God and our mind, body and spirit were meant to be filled with the Spirit of God and to be in intimate fellowship with God. We live in a spiritual world with evil forces who are trying to kill, steal and destroy. (Eph. 6:10-20; John 10:10) The use of marijuana alters a person’s mind and can expose their spirit-soul-heart to dark spiritual forces. (Matt 12:43-45) These forces work to adversely affect our emotional and mental state like some of the physical symptoms mentioned above as well as spiritual oppression and even possession.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” We must take special care in what we allow into our minds and hearts and stay away from any drug that would expose our soul to the evil forces in the spiritual realm. Marijuana like many other drugs is dangerous to your mind, body and spirit.
Why do people want to get intoxicated?
Obviously, if someone desires to get high or to get drunk it is a form of escapism and they are not content with their current emotional state. Their heart is screaming for more. We were all created to be intoxicated. We were created to be filled with the Holy Spirit not with drugs or alcohol, which can open our hearts to destructive powers of darkness.
Why would anyone settle for the ever decreasing and destructive high from drugs and alcohol when the ever increasing and empowering high from the Holy Spirit is freely available to all who ask?
Jesus says,
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
(Luke 11:13)
