What Does The Bible Say About Marijuana

The question of marijuana use has become a prevalent issue in modern culture, especially with its legalization in various countries and states for both recreational and medicinal purposes. For Christians, the use of marijuana must be evaluated through the lens of Scripture. The Bible addresses the topics of sobriety, healing, and obedience to the law, all of which are essential in discerning the morality of marijuana use.

Let’s explore what the Bible says about marijuana, touching on the sinfulness of illegal actions, the biblical teaching on sobriety, God's desire to be our source of healing, and how marijuana should be treated when used for medical reasons. We will also explore the historical connection between drug use and witchcraft, reminding us that our ultimate source of healing should be God, not substances.

Marijuana and the Sin of Illegal Actions

One of the most basic principles in Scripture is the command to obey the governing authorities. The Bible clearly teaches that all authority is ordained by God, and we are called to submit to it unless it conflicts with God’s commands. Romans 13:1-2 (ESV) reminds us, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”

This command to obey includes the laws surrounding the use of marijuana. If marijuana is illegal in a particular jurisdiction, using it is a violation of Scripture. Disregarding the laws of the land would be a direct rebellion against God’s authority. In 1 Peter 2:13-14 (ESV), we are further instructed to “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme or to governors as sent by him.” Therefore, when marijuana use is against the law, it is considered a sin for a believer to engage in it.

However, if marijuana becomes legal in a given area, Christians are still called to approach its use with caution, seeking to understand its potential impact on their minds and bodies. Even if legal, its use should always be in alignment with biblical principles of sobriety, self-control, and reliance on God.

The Bible’s Teaching on Sobriety

Scripture repeatedly calls believers to a life of sobriety, self-control, and clear-mindedness. In 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV), the apostle Peter warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Sobriety is essential for resisting temptation and maintaining spiritual alertness.

Sobriety involves more than just avoiding drunkenness—it includes avoiding any substance that impairs one’s ability to think, judge, and act according to God’s will. The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:18 (ESV), “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” Just as drunkenness is condemned in Scripture, so too is the use of any substance that dulls our spiritual senses or impairs our judgment.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 (ESV) also speaks to the importance of living soberly: “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” Christians are called to remain alert and self-controlled at all times, and substances like marijuana that impair judgment undermine this biblical command.

Therefore, any use of marijuana that leads to altered mental states or diminishes our ability to live according to God’s will runs contrary to God’s desire for us to be sober-minded and spiritually aware.

God’s Desire to Be the Source of Healing

Many people turn to marijuana as a means of coping with pain, anxiety, or depression. While marijuana may offer temporary relief, Scripture teaches that God is our true source of healing. Psalm 34:18 (ESV) assures us that “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” When we face emotional or physical pain, God promises to be with us, providing comfort and healing.

In Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV), Jesus invites all who are burdened to come to Him: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Jesus offers peace and rest for our souls, which is far more lasting and fulfilling than any temporary relief from substances like marijuana.

The Bible also teaches that God is the ultimate healer, both physically and emotionally. James 5:14-15 (ESV) encourages us to seek the Lord’s healing when we are sick: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” God invites us to trust in His power to heal and restore, rather than relying on substances that only provide temporary relief.

When it comes to emotional struggles like anxiety or depression, God promises to be near to those who are brokenhearted. Rather than turning to marijuana as an escape, we are called to turn to God for comfort and restoration. Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) encourages believers to bring their anxieties to God in prayer: “Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Marijuana Use for Medical Reasons

While recreational marijuana use can lead to impairments in sobriety and self-control, the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is a more nuanced issue. Christians should approach medical marijuana with the same principles they apply to any other medical substance—namely, that it should be used temporarily, legally, and under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

The Bible does not speak directly to medical marijuana, but it provides principles that can guide our decision-making in this area. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” We are to be good stewards of our bodies, avoiding substances that could harm us or lead to dependence.

If marijuana is prescribed for legitimate medical reasons, such as pain relief or treating a condition like epilepsy, it should be used in accordance with legal guidelines and only for the duration of time necessary to address the medical issue. Just like any other medication, marijuana should not be relied upon as a long-term solution to pain or illness but should be used with the goal of healing and recovery. Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Our goal should always be to find healing and restoration through proper medical care and, ultimately, to rely on God for our ultimate healing.

The Link Between Drug Use and Witchcraft

Throughout Scripture, the use of mind-altering substances is often associated with idolatry and witchcraft. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (ESV) condemns practices like sorcery and divination: “There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.”

In the New Testament, the term pharmakeia (from which we get our modern term "pharmacy") is used to describe sorcery and witchcraft in Revelation 9:21 (ESV): “Nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.” This term historically referred to the use of drugs and potions in occult practices, linking the use of mind-altering substances with the worship of false gods.

While marijuana may not always be used for occult practices, the Bible warns against any substances that alter our minds and disconnect us from God. We must be careful not to use marijuana as a way of seeking spiritual experiences or power outside of God. The Bible calls us to rely on the Holy Spirit for comfort and guidance, not on chemical substances.

Conclusion

The Bible provides clear guidance on the use of marijuana. Whether used recreationally or medicinally, marijuana must be approached with caution, legal compliance, and a commitment to maintaining sobriety and spiritual alertness. Christians are called to seek healing and peace from God, not from substances that alter the mind. While medical marijuana may be used under proper circumstances and legal guidelines, it should always be temporary and part of a broader pursuit of health and restoration.

Ultimately, God desires to be the source of our peace, comfort, and healing. We are called to trust in His ability to restore us, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, and to avoid seeking refuge in substances that only provide temporary relief. Let us seek Him first and always, knowing that He alone is the true source of healing and peace.