Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around
like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
1 Peter 5:8
If smoking marijuana recreationally is legal in your state, does that make it okay for the Christian?
This topic is fairly new since, in most states, marijuana has been illegal except for medicinal purposes. In some states it still is.
However, many states have made it completely legal.
The Bible doesn’t specifically mention marijuana, so is it even right for one Christian to tell another Christian it is or isn’t a sin?
You may already have a strong opinion one way or the other. But I hope you can, with grace, back up your view biblically.
In this post, we will look at what the Bible says. And a few testimonies and opinions from a tweet that got me thinking about this question.
I will end the post by sharing my view.
Table of Contents
Is It a Sin for Christians to Smoke Marijuana Recreationally?
Since the Bible is silent on the use of marijuana specifically, Christians come to different conclusions. For some Christians, the answer is clear: it is sinful because Scripture tells us to be sober-minded. On the other hand, some Christians say, “Look, God made it and doesn’t forbid smoking it, so clearly it’s okay”. Others may think it depends or will say a Christian should be able to use it medically, but they aren’t sure about recreationally. The question then is, when looking at all of Scripture, what will you conclude?
Yes, the Bible Says to Be Sober-Minded
Indeed, the Bible does tell us to be sober-minded. Marijuana alters your mind and keeps you from being able to think clearly. Therefore, you are disobeying a command in Scripture when you smoke it simply for pleasure.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded…
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded, be alert…
Additionally, consider a few other Scriptures Christians bring up that mention our minds and how we are to live:
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Matthew 22:37-38 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Philippians 4:8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable–if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy–dwell on these things.
1 Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit that is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.
Testimonies and Opinions
- As a Christian who smoked marijuana, I couldn’t go a day without it. I would go weeks without praying, and would try to read the Bible but was unable to concentrate or focus because I was high. I’d always turn to pot instead of God when life was difficult.
- I smoked weed for six months after getting saved. I was being convicted by the Holy Spirit and finally asked God to deliver me if He didn’t want me to do it anymore. The next day, the desire was gone and I haven’t touched it since.
- I tried it once as a born-again Christian and could sense an overwhelming evil presence in it. It was frightening and I never touched it again.
- I tried a CBD gummy and hallucinated. I thought my heart grew so big that it was exploding. I completely lost it because I thought I was having a heart attack. I will never touch those things again.
- I struggled with this question for a long time. I knew in my heart it was wrong but my mind kept rationalizing that what I was doing wasn’t sinful. Finally, I stopped, and every day I’m thankful I did, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
No, God Made It for Your Enjoyment
Christians who think marijuana is not a sin use Genesis 1:29 to say, “See? God made it for us to consume.” They also state the many proven benefits when used medically, such as for cancer and chronic pain. Or point out that the Bible doesn’t forbid it like it does drunkenness.
So, since it is now legal, Christians should feel free to use and enjoy it.
Testimonies and Opinions
- I used to think canibus was a sin until I learned the real meaning of sober-minded (they didn’t define the real meaning though).
- Hey, it’s legal and laws are created for our benefit. Since the Bible doesn’t forbid it, quit telling me it’s wrong.
- Herbs = Good based on Genesis 1:2
- All things are lawful but not all things are beneficial says the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:23. Marijuana has proven to be beneficial.
- The Bible only addresses alcohol and says not to get drunk. The same principle would apply to marijuana–you can use it if you don’t get high.
It Depends
Not everyone is ready to call smoking marijuana recreationally a sin but agree it can be sinful for some people, or if you abuse it.
Many put marijuana in the same category as alcohol which the Bible addresses. Since drinking is okay unless you get drunk, then marijuana is fine as long as you don’t get high.
Testimonies and Opinions
- Can you get high from one puff of marijuana? If so, then it’s probably a sin. If not, then it’s most likely okay as long as you don’t get high.
- The Bible doesn’t strictly forbid it, so I would say it’s between you and God.
- I would put it in the same category as drinking. God allows for alcohol just not getting drunk. If you can smoke marijuana without getting high (the equivalent of being drunk), then I say it’s okay.
- You can use it as long as it doesn’t affect your faith. Romans 14:2 says that one person believes he can eat anything, while another who is weak eats only vegetables.
- It’s only a sin if you abuse it.
Now for the Science
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), marijuana “directly affects brain function.”
Additionally, It has an “immediate impact on thinking, attention, memory, coordination, movement, and time perception.” Babies, children, and teenagers are especially susceptible because their brains are still developing.
Its impact is dependent on several factors:
- How much tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is in the marijuana
- How often marijuana is used
- How old you were when you first used marijuana
- If you’re combining marijuana with other substances such as alcohol or tobacco
- Genetics, home environment, or other reasons can also play a part in the long-term
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NADA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), studies in rats show that “adolescent exposure to THC is associated with an altered reward system, increasing the likelihood that an animal will self-administer other drugs (i.e. heroin) when given an opportunity.”
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) talks about the background of marijuana and how it has changed over time. Today it is more potent due to the added THC, which has tripled from 1995 to 2014.
My View
It’s never occurred to me that just because something is legal, it automatically means it’s okay. Sure, you’re not breaking the law of the land, but a nation’s laws don’t necessarily take into account the Bible.
And what the Bible says should be the Christian’s first thought.
But the Bible doesn’t specifically mention marijuana, so how can you know?
I pretty much thought it was sinful because it was illegal. I didn’t know very much about the drug or plant.
I knew we had marijuana plants growing on the property we bought as a newly married couple because someone told my husband. But I didn’t know what it looked like and I barely gave it a thought. We cleared the property and if there were any left, we mowed over them.
I was also around it a few times in high school and the family down the street grew it in their basement. But I only saw the plants once.
But now that it’s legal in many states and throughout the world, it was time to dig deeper.
Researching this has been interesting and enlightening. It began with a tweet and is where I began to form a more biblical opinion.
I also looked at the various Scriptures people cited and listened to the podcast below. I read about the science.
There is no doubt in my mind that marijuana affects the brain immediately upon use and possibly causes irreversible brain damage.
I believe Scripture is clear in its principles about sober-mindedness and spiritual warfare (1 Thess 5:6-8; 1 Pet 5:8-9), walking by the Spirit vs. drunkenness (Gal 5:16-20), and matters of the heart.
Therefore, I believe it is a sin.
RELATED > > > > > What Is the Power of Sin and How Is It Broken?
Can Christians Smoke Marijuana?
Final Thoughts
We covered three main views that people have about Christians smoking marijuana recreationally: it’s a sin, it’s not a sin, and it depends.
For those who say it’s a sin, there are several verses used that teach principles about Christian living, and also several verses that talk about being sober-minded.
If you don’t think it’s a sin, you point out Genesis 1:29, which says that God made every seed-bearing plant for food. Or you point out that marijuana is not forbidden in the Bible, and that everything is permissible.
Many people thought it depended. They didn’t think it was okay to get high or use marijuana as an escape, but it was probably okay to enjoy it once in a while. Or they said it was between the person and God.
The science points out marijuana does indeed alter your mind immediately, meaning you will not be sober-minded. Additionally, there may be long-term effects that permanently affect your brain.
I think the Bible clearly supports the fact that smoking marijuana recreationally is a sin for Christians.
What do you think?