Marijuana is Good

Part Two

✘ Marijuana is Not Good for the Body The common belief of modern man is much like that of the Corinthians two thousand years ago. They argued, “foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods” (1 Cor. 6:13a). In the context the body was made for sex and sex is therefore for the body. Paul counter-argued, “now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body” (1 Corinthians 6:13b). God did not give us bodies to use any way we want. The Christian must remember: he has been bought with a price. The price is the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ. Paul went on with his argument, “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 6:18-20). Christians should present their “bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

First, marijuana is not good for the lungs. Like tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke irritates the throat and lungs causing a heavy cough. Just smoking three or four joints per day has been shown by research to cause as much damage to the bronchial mucus membranes as twenty cigarettes. Cancer-causing hydrocarbons in marijuana smoke have more potential to cause cancer in the respiratory systems than smoking cigarettes. The protracted use of marijuana also results in emphysema.

Marijuana is not good for the heart. Three hours after smoking marijuana users have shown an increased heart rate between twenty and fifty beats per minute. This sudden stress placed upon the heart has caused some to experience heart attacks. Marijuana is not good for reproduction. Use during pregnancy has resulted in birth defects. Babies of users show diminished behavioral and brain function. Mothers who breast feed and use marijuana can pass THC along in their milk to their babies. Men have a diminished fertility due to usage. Testicular cancer has been linked to marijuana use.

Marijuana is not good for the brain. Perhaps no part of the human body suffers from more abuse than the brain. The affects of these are many. Marijuana causes hallucinations, paranoia, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts especially among teenagers. Those who started using as a teenager will lose an average of eight IQ points. This loss of mental function is permanent. Other research indicates it causes brain lesions in some heavy users.

Amounts of THC stored in the fat cells by the body can cause muscle atrophy. Thus marijuana users may undergo a loss of physical strength.

✘ Marijuana is Not Good for Spiritual Growth

Since marijuana hinders mental development and processes, it often results in the users inability to learn. Those who have problems retaining memories or facts cannot learn effectively. Spiritual development requires one to remember God’s will and commandments. Being faithful to obey and resist temptations requires sober-mindedness. Marijuana produces an apathetic outlook on life. To grow in Christ one must care about their soul’s condition and eternal destination.

Christians “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). Spiritual growth is hard work. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Marijuana is one such encumbrance to the Christian race. Therefore, “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

✘ Marijuana is Not Good for Finding Joy and Peace As is often the case with getting high on drugs, they produce a gratifying experience which is short-lived. After it is over the user is left with a feeling of emptiness. Some use drugs to escape the pain and problems of life. However, when they come down off their high, their problems are still there. Others find no joy in drugs due to their addiction. Instead their life is consumed by constantly chasing after the next drug induced experience.

A genuine relationship with God is the only lasting and real source of joy and peace this life has to offer. “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). The fruit of the Spirit includes “love, joy, peace” (Galatians 5:22). We are to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

✘ Marijuana is Not Good For Sober-Mindedness Marijuana intoxicates thus hindering self-control while at the same time lowering inhibitions. Drugs impair judgement. If a person is high, they are more likely to sin. Christians are to be sober-minded. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” Titus 2:11-12). “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night…therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:2,6). “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). “Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded” (Titus 2:6).

✘ Marijuana is Not Good For Eternal Life The Bible condemns drug abuse with the word “sorcery” the Greek word pharmakia. “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, … and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21). The term is also used in Revelation 21:8: “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” From the Greek word pharmakeia one can clearly see the origins of such English words as “pharmacy”, “pharmacist”, and “pharmaceuticals”. In the beginning, pharmakeia was a medical term; it had to do with the proper use of drugs. “Since the preparation and administration of drugs was under the supervision of sorcerers, the word “pharmakos” came to be connected with the art of sorcery and magic”. (A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures of the N.T., vol. 4, p. 313). “This was the age when men thought they could control the world and manipulate the gods. This was the age of Magic, and drugs played a major part in that age” (R. A. Morey, DRUG ABUSE, p. 33).

Summary

Yes, God created everything including marijuana. Marijuana is good. But it is not good to ingest, for the body, for law-abiding citizens, for slave of God, for finding joy and peace, for spiritual growth, for sober-mindedness or for obtaining eternal life. If you live your whole life and never have a drug induced experience by using marijuana you will not miss out on anything. Just do not use marijuana in this life in such a way to miss out on heaven in the afterlife.

– Daniel R. Vess