What does the Bible say about drugs?
Introduction
Drug abuse is a huge problem the church and the world have been battling for countless years.
Although drug abuse and addiction are not mentioned verbatim in the Bible, many scriptures make references to the dangers of substance abuse, such as the excessive use of wine or drunkenness.
Alcohol and drugs are substances in which excessive consumption produces similar effects on the abuser. Therefore, the biblical warnings and solutions offered to a drunkard apply to a drug addict.
So, this article will use biblical references that address drunkenness or the use of wine to discuss the dangers of drug addiction and how God can deliver you from its claws.
Biblical warning against addiction
The Bible did not expressly use the word addiction, possibly because it didn’t exist during biblical days. However, it uses love or lust, translating to an obsession for something.
For example, 1 John 2:15-17 uses the phrases love for the world and lust of the flesh interchangeably to talk about people’s obsession with sinfulness or pleasures of the world.
1 Timothy 6:10 also warns Christians about the love of money, meaning having no control over the need to earn money, leading to greed and other sins.
Similarly, Galatians 5:21 warns about how drunkenness can rob one of the kingdom of God.
Drug addiction is an evil act with many tentacles.
It is a sinful act that births other sins, making one redundant and useless and ultimately leading to death if not uprooted from one’s life as soon as possible (James 1:15).
That is why the Bible preaches self-control and being sober-minded.
Dangers of drug addiction according to scriptures
You become a slave to drugs.
“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)
A slave lacks freedom.
He cannot make decisions without his master’s approval. He is subject to the dictates and orders of his masters.
Slaves are literally owned by their masters.
Their will, wish, and destiny are determined by whom they are serving.
This is the same with the relationship between a drug addict and drugs.
A drug addict lacks the capacity to think or do anything meaningful without consuming drugs.
They do not have control over their cravings for drugs. Instead, drugs control them. It is simply a case of a master and slave relationship.
How does being a slave to an inanimate substance sound?
How can you allow pieces of tablets or liquid to steal away your freedom and Lord over you?
The Bible refers to drug addiction as being obedience to an intoxicating substance. However, this form of obedience never leads to any good but sin and death. And the news and our daily experiences have proven the Bible true.
Many who are addicted to drugs have either lost their means of livelihood, family, sanity, and life.
You will lose God’s presence.
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Our bodies belong to God because He formed us.
We are only custodians of our bodies.
Not only that, God dwells in us because we are His abode or temple, as the Bible describes it. So, as custodians or keepers of God’s temple, we have been charged with keeping it clean and habitable for God.
One major way to keep the body clean is to avoid drugs or sin.
No one wants to stay in an unstable house with a shaky foundation, broken doors and windows, and leaking pipes.
Houses like that are abandoned, especially if the agent in charge or landlord refuses to fix things.
Drug addiction affects body organs and the mind. It makes you make harmful decisions and sin, the primary pollutant of your soul or God’s temple. Therefore, since God is holy and hates impurity, He exits your body.
This opens you up to grave danger.
As an abandoned building attracts vandals, gang members, and criminal organizations who use it as a hideout and a place for criminal activities, so will your body become a hiding place for demons and evil spirits after God leaves.
Many drug addicts experience hallucinations, severe psychological or psychiatric disorders, isolation, and self-harm.
These are mainly a result of demonic possession (Luke 8:26-39).
Makes you a subject of public ridicule
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1)
Drug addiction leads to embarrassment because the effects of drug abuse are close to insanity, including nakedness, unclear and foolish utterances, irrational behaviors, lack of self-control, etc.
Embarrassment often extends to abusers’ loved ones who cater to them when they are not their usual selves.
Drug addiction hurts your reputation.
People will perceive you as unstable and cannot be trusted with responsibilities, money, and relationships.
The effect on your social status cannot be overemphasized, which is what the enemy wants.
He plans to push you farther away from people and keep you in isolation, so he can torture you and shield you from help.
This was the case of the madman of Gadara, tormented by demons and living in a graveyard, far away from reasonable people and help (Luke 8:26-39).
Propels and emboldens you to commit wickedness
“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.” (Ephesians 5:18, AMP)
Have you ever seen anyone under the influence of drugs or strong substances doing good work, like preaching the gospel, doing charitable work, or anything meaningful? No.
They are abusing their partners or children or constituting a nuisance.
It is common for people to rely on drugs to boost their confidence to do evil. That is why many robbers, rapists, and criminals pump drugs into their bloodstreams and systems before committing evil.
Drug addiction leads to other kinds of sins and evil and makes matters worst for the abuser’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of the abuser.
It leads to self-harming and death.
“If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Corinthians 3:17)
The punishment for sin is death, simple and short. Drug abuse is a case of double jeopardy because you suffer physical pain on earth and eternal death in the afterlife.
Drug addicts battle mental health issues, with symptoms like self-harm like burns, cuts, and various injuries and extreme cases like suicide.
A simple Google search will give you a long list of popular figures that ended their lives due to the influence of drugs.
Going through such excruciating pain here on earth is only the tip of the iceberg compared to the eternal torment and punishment awaiting a sinner in the pit of hell.
Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Therefore, it is crucial to note that drug addiction does not only have physical implications but spiritual and eternal ones, which is even worse.
It has financial implications.
“He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.” (Proverbs 21:17)
It is common knowledge that drug addicts make rash financial decisions. However, seeing the Bible confirming it shows its severity.
There are countless stories of celebrities who have lost all the fortunes they spent years accumulating within a twinkle of an eye because of drug addiction.
There are also stories about children selling off family inheritances or properties to get money to quench their insatiable desire and carving for drugs.
Drug addiction digs a bottomless hole into your pocket.
It robs you of your assets and valuables, leaving you penniless and, worse, in debt.
Drug addiction also hinders you from being productive. So, you are not only spending huge sums to fund your addiction, you are no longer generating income. It always ends in poverty.
Biblical ways to recover from drug addiction
Flee from drug addiction.
“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)
Most people pick up the deadly habit of drug addiction at a young age.
That is why the Bible terms certain forms of sins as youthful lusts because they are age oriented.
But pay attention to the word flee.
To flee is to run away without hesitation.
It means not giving evil or danger a chance before making a decision.
One way people fall deep into drug abuse is by harmless consumption.
For example, they start with painkillers or sleeping pills to help them with their daily activities and get enough rest. But the body readjusts, and the usual amount you take becomes non-effective, forcing you to consume more often more frequently.
And before you know it, you depend on these drugs to function effectively.
Therefore, the Bible encourages you to not begin what you cannot finish. So, run from anything that can make you consume and enslave you. But it’s never too late to flee, even if you are an addict. Simply make the decision today and never look back. Your decision begins with a step: running away from drugs.
Turn to God
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
You might have tried many things to overcome drug addiction but still find yourself returning to the bad habit, like a dog returning to its vomit.
The good news is God is faithful to deliver you from drug addiction and make you overcome the temptation to return to it. He promised to make a way of escape for you.
God can help you overcome drug addiction by infilling the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
The Holy Spirit empowers you with the supernatural ability to say no to negative influences.
It gives you the supernatural strength to carry out your daily activities without depending on any substance.
Stay away from evil company.
“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17)
1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
You become who you spend your time with.
A lion hanging out with dogs will end up barking, and an eagle that befriends chickens will eat dirt, insects, and worms.
A few seconds, minutes, hours, and days with a drug addict are all it takes for a believer to become a drug addict.
As such, the Bible advices you to come out from them and separate yourself.
That is the only way to shield your eyes and mind from their influence and avoid being polluted by uncleanliness.
Instead, spend time with believers who will encourage and inspire you to become a better version of yourself.
Have an accountability partner.
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)
The journey toward overcoming drug addiction can be a struggle and lonely. However, when you have confidants, friends, and encouragers, it becomes less stressful.
The Bible encourages the benefit of joint efforts to achieve more significant results (Deuteronomy 32:30).
Speak to trusted Christian friends or a spiritual leader in church when you feel you cannot control your desire or fight temptation.
Replace drugs with profitable godly activities.
Saul was a terror to the kingdom of God when he was still the persecutor.
He went about killing Christians and blocking the spread of the Good News. However, Saul had an encounter with God, and he was converted to Paul. He became the opposite of what he was.
Paul began spreading the gospel to nations of the world. He became a vibrant apostle who wrote a significant portion of the New Testament.
He replaced his evil ways with godly activities and never returned to sin.
This is one of the best ways to break free from the shackles of drug addiction.
Submerge yourself into godly activities.
Spend time in church.
Change your friends. Study the Holy Bible, pray without ceasing, and help others win the battle over addiction.
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David Akeju is a Christian writer who believes in the transformational power of God’s Word. His articles and books have been published on global platforms, and thousands of lives have been touched. He works with pastors and ministers, churches and ministries, and brands.