© 2007 The Earth Eden Project
Smoking Marijuana
Most people are shocked when they learn that this verse refers to drug use. Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is not a new drug. In fact, just recently marijuana ashes were found in a fourth-century tomb. The drug was believed to have been smoked by a pregnant teenager sixteen hundred years ago. Some documentations of marijuana use date back as far as the nineteenth century B.C.
Marijuana is a hallucinogenic (Funk and Wagnalls 445). Mind altering drugs are used in witchcraft to alter your reality. This can be very dangerous. This is why God calls us to be sober and avoid attacks from Satan (I Peter 5:8). This implies that if we are high, we cannot avoid attacks from the evil one.
God can deliver and heal one from an addiction to marijuana. "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8)
Interestingly, The Hopi Indians Disaprove Of The Use of Mind Altering Substances, Saying,"A Worthy Memeber of the Tribe Should Be Sober-Minded At All Times."
"We should LIVE SOBERLY, righteously, and godly in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12).
In the New Testament, the form of the word "sober" is used 17 times. Sobriety is an important part of a Christian's life. It is impossible to be sober and of a sound mind while using marijuana. In fact, recent medical science has even deciphered marijuana's high by locating tetrahydrocannabinol receptors in the human brain . "Many users describe two phases of marijuana intoxication; initial stimulation, giddiness, and euphoria, followed by sedation and tranquillity.
Mood changes are often accompanied by altered perceptions of time and space and of one's bodily dimensions. The thinking processes become disrupted by fragmentary ideas and memories. Negative effects can include decreased motivation, confusion, acute panic reactions, anxiety attacks, fear, a sense of helplessness, and loss of self control" (Funk 445).
Marijuana is from the "Hops" family, the same family through which we get beer. However, the Greek terms for sobriety are not limited to drunkenness. They mean to be sober, and of sound mind, to be aware, much like our use of the word sober today is not limited to one substance, but is achieved by abstaining from intoxication.
In the scriptures, sound doctrine teaches that one must be sober (Titus 2:1-2, 4, 6) According to II Corinthians 5:13 we are to be sober for the cause of our brothers and sisters in Christ. For in I Corinthians 8:9-13 we are called not to be sober (I Timothy 3:2-3, 11). Romans 12:3 calls us to think using sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given us. II Thessalonians 5:6 tells us to watch and be sober. I Peter 4:7 reminds us that we must be sober for prayer and I Peter 5: 8 warns us that we must be sober to avoid attacks from Satan.
DRUGS,PHARMAKEIA, DEMONISM?
Dangerous Spiritual Practices,Demonism and Drugs
The Bible clearly declares that the occultism of the last days will be related to the use of drugs. "Pharmakeia" is a Greek word which means "enchantment with drugs". It is translated as witchcraft in Gal. 5:20 and as sorceries in Rev. 9:21 and 18:23.
A slightly different form of the word is translated sorcerers in Rev. 21:8 and 22:15. These scriptures in the prophetical portion of Revelation definitely show that this will be widespread in the last days. "Pharmakeia" is the root word from which we derive our word pharmacy. This should be warning enough, to cause everyone to avoid the use of illicit drugs.
Religious of America By Leo Rosten , Pages 454- 595:
"A valuable diagnosis emerged from the researches of Robert L. Adams and robert Jon Fox, who studied drug addiction in highly emotional based youth groups in the United States and concluded (in the Fall of 1972 issue of Trans-Action): Members of mystic or highly emotional based religious movements have a high incidence of past drug use, with 62% of those over 12, and 44% of those under 18, have used drugs. Only a 'few' individuals [ of those studied]were extreamly light users, usually of Marijuana.
Ample evidence supports the concern connecting the comsumption of drugs and the solicitation of religious visions. Some young people refer to their emotional mysticism as "The Jesus Trip," or "Jesus High." One mystic described his new faith- via-halluciation as " a rush- like speed." (amphetamines).
In the end..For myself choose to avoid ANY mind altering experiences, be they from a natural plant such as Marijuana or Peyote or be they the form of mind-altering emotionalism or trace-like religion. Because the form of faith I believe is progressive...I do not therefore believe that those that may participate in one or more of the above discribed mind-altering activities is hopelessly "DOOMED".
However, since there seems to be "a chance" that altering your conscious state 'may' open the door to demonism...It is NOT a chance, no matter how small, that I myself am wanting nor willing to take. The only high I feel I need is the natural since of inner peace through Jesus Christ... just a peaceful feeling.
