Eroding social standards notwithstanding, it remains a violation of divine will to consume marijuana. Here’s why:

God enjoins sobriety. Repeatedly, it is written, “Be sober” (1st Thessalonians 5:6-8; 1st Peter 1:13; 5:8). Sobriety is an awareness of mind which requires, at a minimum, abstinence from mind-altering substances. No one under the influence of marijuana meets God’s expectations in this matter.

God demands self-control. “The fruit of the Spirit” includes “self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). And “self-control” is among the things a Christian must “add to… faith” (2nd Peter 1:5-6). Deliberately distorting one’s perception of reality certainly diminishes personal restraint.

God forbids intoxication. “Drunkenness” is among “the works of the flesh” that result in condemnation (Galatians 5:19-21). It’s acceptable for “drunkenness” to be among the behaviors of one’s “past lifetime”, but not among one’s current activities (1st Peter 4:3). The injunction against drunkenness has less to do with substance than effect. Whether one is drunk on beverage alcohol or high on cannabis, the Lord disapproves.

The consequences of alcoholic intoxication include the facts that “your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things” (Proverbs 23:33). How much more is this true of pot smoking than wine drinking? Seeing strange things does harm to one’s ability to see spiritual danger as required by the command to “be vigilant” (1st Peter 5:8).

By Bryan Matthew Dockens

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