With out a doubt one of the most controversial topics among the general public today is the legalization of marijuana. It's concerns are not only about generating money, health, addiction, and danger to the community, but the moral and spiritual aspects as well. So, what does the bible say about smoking marijuana? Actually, the bible does not address the subject of marijuana smoking, but it does speak of using spells, potions, and drugs. Better know as sorcery or sorceries. This is where most bible teachers get their main argument against legalization of marijuana.

  Lets take a look and see what "sorceries" means in the original manuscripts. Strong's Greek dictionary #5331 "Pharmakeia" from #5332 "Pharmakeus" meaning medication, a spell-giving potion, a druggist, a poisoner. Does this describe marijuana use? Not really... This sounds more like pharmaceuticals, morphine, heroin, cocaine, crystal meth, or hallucinogenic type of drugs. Smoking pot today is more in the category of fine wine and imported beer drinking, "only with more medical benefits." Lets take a look at both arguments on the subject so we can come to a wise decision. We will begin our study in the book of Genesis.

  Here are two popular old testament scriptures people use to justify marijuana use. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:12). The land produced vegetation of all sorts of seed bearing plants (including marijuana), and trees bearing fruit. The seeds produced plants, herbs and trees of the same kind, and God saw that everything He created was good.

  And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. (Genesis 1:29). God gave mankind every seed-bearing plant, herb, and fruit tree for food to eat. Not necessarily to smoke. But, I guess today you can do a lot baking using butter and oil produced from marijuana plants. O.K., we'll give them this one too.

  Now lets move on to a few new testament scriptures that you will hear to justify marijuana use. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. (Matthew 15:11). There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. (Mark 7:15). In other words, you are not made unholy by eating certain foods, smoking pot, using tobacco, drinking wine, beer etc. It is what you say and think that makes you spiritually unclean. However, any of these things can be unhealthy to the flesh body if in excess. Moderation, good choice, and organics, is the key to keeping the body healthy.

  The apostle Paul would say: All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Corinthians 6:12). You can do anything as long as you are obeying God's law, but don't be under the power or become a slave to anything. (Such as a bad habit or addiction). We are all going to have some bad habits and addiction at times as long as we are in these flesh bodies. But, we can't put all the blame on illegal drugs. More people today are addicted to legal prescription drugs, than all the illegal drugs put together. Not to mention those addicted to alcohol and cigarettes. (Yes, nicotine is a drug). Here are some interesting facts from the American Lung Association: Approximately 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 24,518 people died of alcohol, 17,774 died of AIDS, 34,485 died of car accidents, 39,147 died of drug use - legal and illegal - 16,799 died of murder and 36,909 died of suicide. That brings us to a total of 169,632 deaths, far less than the 430,000 that die from smoking cigarettes annually. O.K., now back to the subject of the Christian laws.

  Now, just because Christians are no longer under the old laws that the apostle Paul was talking about (sacrificial laws and ordinances). Christians are still under the law of the ten commandments. Not only that, but they are to obey the civil laws of the land as well. "One up for the bible thumpers, Pot is illegal!" Well, I won't go into the scriptures about obeying the civil laws on this subject because marijuana is becoming legal across the country and we would just be wasting time. More people are for it, than against it, and there is no stopping it now. Just a matter of time till they work everything out. (The same thing happened with alcohol prohibition). But, doesn't Revelation 22:15, say that sorcerers (drug dealers and those addicted to drugs), will not go to heaven, or live in the eternity? Not exactly... When Christ returns, we will all be changed to our spirit bodies. If your a believer, and you had a drug dependency, you will no longer have it. Just as with any other habit or addiction. "All those infirmities will be gone." i.e. No one will need any of these things in the new kingdom.

  The fact is that there are a lot of legal and illegal drug dealers out there in the world today that are poisoning the minds of adults and children. Mostly with prescription drugs, heron, cocaine, crystal meth, and hallucinogenic drugs. These are the ones we need to label as "sorcerers." These are the bad guys who destroy people with their evil ways. (They are the ones who may not make it into the kingdom of God).

  Now, lets take a closer look at the spiritual aspects and the behavior of the flesh body. Paul would advise us about the flesh and spirit in the book of Galatians: This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16). Listen to the Holy Spirit, then you will not want to follow the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17). Our flesh always wants to do wrong and what is the opposite or against the Holy Spirit. Just as the Holy Spirit wants to do what is right and what is the opposite or against the flesh.

  Lets see what satisfies the flesh. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness. (Galatians 5:19). When you follow your way of the flesh in most cases, you produce evil results. Impure thoughts and eagerness for lustful pleasures. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies. (Galatians 5:20). Idol worship, spiritism, hatred, fighting, jealousy, anger, constant effort to get the best for yourself, feeling that everyone else is wrong except you and those in your own little group.

  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21). Envy, criminal homicide, drunkenness, partying all the time. Those who do these things may miss the boat, and many of God's blessings because they are misled, or just flat out don't care. However, the "Holy Spirit" can help us with many of these problems and addictions. (John 8:36, James 4:7). Be persistent in resisting temptation, especially with things you cannot control. Knowing that God will never let you be tempted with more than you can handle. (1 Corinthians 10:13).

  Keep in mind your body is just part of the temple of God: Here we research the Spiritual take on the subject of defiling the temple within. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16). It is the many member body of Christ that makes up the Temple of God, not the individual. However, the Holy Spirit dwells within the person/persons to form the many member body of Christ. (John 14:17, Romans 8:11, 2 Timothy 1:14, 1 John 4:12, 4:15-16). If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Corinthians 3:17). God will destroy anyone who tries to destroy this many member body temple. "A warning to anyone who tries to destroy a truth teaching church, or one of Gods chosen ones." (Jude 10, Revelation 19:2).

  Now that we covered the spiritual, what about the moral aspects? Is it right for us to smoke marijuana in a society like ours today? Well, we are not the most moral country when it comes to doing things right. Take a good look around you and you will see morality slipping right out the door. I believe that this is more of an individual decision between you and God. Forget about what others say and think, God gave you a mind to think and learn on your own. Not to be led around by everything some man or woman may tell you.

  Before we sum things up, let me touch on one more important aspect we didn't cover. "The money!" Many are ready to cash in on the marijuana frenzy. But be careful... If you are not doing it legally, it will be considered ill-gotten gains, and you know what category this puts you in. Wealth acquired this way will soon diminish. (Proverbs 13:11). It is better to lay up your treasures in heaven, and not to let money be your master. (Matthew 6:20, 6:24), "you can't serve God and money." Money is truly the root of all evil, and has turned many from the faith. (1 Timothy 6:10). Don't let this innocent looking "New Mother Nature" frenzy come between your relationship with God. "If you can't handle it, let it go."

  Bottom line, everyone is looking to their spiritual leaders for the correct answer. The question being... "Is it alright to smoke pot for certain reasons or is it a sin against your eternal soul?" No man, woman, priest, pastor, or teacher can truly answer that. Again, this is a personal subject between you and God to work out. The key here again is moderation, good choice, and organics, to keeping the body healthy. On the spiritual side, "do not let anything come between you and God." It's a new world we are living in today and we need to be careful not to lose our spiritual way. Be careful my friend not to let the fruits of marijuana smoking and growing lead you astray. Just like an old song from the seventies says, 'Cause it's the new mother nature taking over... It's the new splendid lady come to call... It's the new mother Nature taking over... She's getting us all, she's getting us all.

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Keep The Faith,
Bart