To Weed or not to Weed? That is the question. (An honest discussion about Christians and substance use.)

So if you haven’t noticed I’ve decided to cut to the chase and systematically hit on all the things that I am sure will get me “canceled” as quickly and intentionally as possible. I mean, someone’s got to say it, God gave me the big shoulders so here we go. 

You saw the question. Here’s the answer: NOT to weed. (Also- not to get black out drunk, not to fornicate, not to watch porn, not to gamble….. To all the unhealthy addictions: NOT)

As followers and representatives of Jesus Christ, we are NOT to engage in anything that undermines who God is and is in keeping with the world’s system. You are subject to God's government, God's standards of morality and Kingdom behavior.  Scripture time! 

”I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.“‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭14‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We are aliens here! Whatever is common and acceptable by the world are often likely to be contrary to what God says. Even though marijuana is legalized - so are quite a few things the Bible calls sin - and that is not a license on our part to engage. We are not of this world! 

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.“. ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God's special possessions! We declare HIS praises. How do we do that as we sit and smoke with our unsaved neighbor and thereby mock and water down the purity of who God is?

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.“‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Notice it doesn’t say convenient,  popular or easier is the road that leads to life. Simply put, if you are a known Believer choosing to smoke weed (recreationally, socially or for your “nerves”) drink to excess, abuse your pain pills or watch hours of pornography, you are a misrepresentation of God's kingdom, you’re going through the broad, “easier” road that leads to destruction.  It’s time to assess what truly has you self-medicating instead of pursuing true wholeness God's way. 

“But to this you may say: ‘I have the right to do anything,’  you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.“‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

CAN you do anything ? Of course! Can you smoke? Of course. Can you have sex outside of marriage? Yep! BUT, not all things are beneficial. Not all things are Godly or permissible as His representative. Your body isn’t yours. 

Let’s address this conveniently thrown around “caveat” specifically for marijuana-  “but it's a plant Sheri. Didn’t the LOOOORRRDD make everything on the earth? At least it's natural, unlike those prescription pills the pharmacies are pushing.” 

Coffee is natural. Potatoes are natural - we abuse those too. Humans, when unhealed, unrestrained, and left to their own devices, ruin and misuse EVERYTHING. God gave us food to eat- to sow seeds, harvest and nourish ourselves for energy and sustenance. WHY do AA/NA/Overeaters Anonymous or the Biggest Loser exist ? Because we have NO restraint! We solve our problems and soothe our wounded souls with stuff - yes including “natural” plants - instead of addressing the core issues driving us to that addiction in the first place. Yes,  the Lord God made the heavens and the earth and all the things in it, but also, Satan fell and did a whole lot of destroying, distorting, manipulating and perverting. Much of what God created with specific intentions or purposes, in Satan's hands combined perfectly with our issues, have turned into abused and misused crutches that we now call “medication” or “self care.” Just admit you like the high, you like escaping from your  racing thoughts or guilty conscience, and leave God out of it. 

Here’s what I suggest - I’ll give you 3 guesses! Oo! You got it: THERAPY! Come on in, ditch the vape pen and let’s HANDLE your business. I do not for one second believe anyone who says they get drunk or high- regularly -  exclusively for fun. You’re lying to yourself. These mental space and judgment altering substances are simply allowing you to temporarily enter some place of pretend bliss where your anxiety, depression, traumatic memories, OCD, relationship and money issues can’t come and you get to escape for a bit. But the Bible has something to say about that: “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.“‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬. You’re not being wise! You’re being led astray and that vice - wine, beer, porn, cocaine, oxy, shopping addiction, whatever, is going to get the last laugh as it mocks you. 

“And don’t get drunk with wine, which is rebellion; instead be filled continually with the Holy Spirit.“‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭TPT‬‬

And isn’t that just like the devil? That “peace” after your high has arrived or the “buzz” kicks in is not only fake, temporary, and expensive, it’s addicting! You don’t get to just do it once … you have to keep going, and do it more often, and in greater quantities, and then you need other combinations, and then it starts to impact your personal life, and then your friends and family start to question you, and then your already struggling relationship (shocker) does NOT get any better.. and then there’s the guilt/shame combo… and the list goes on. But the saddest, most awful part of all, your broken heart remains just that- broken. The weed, whiskey shots and porn—they just leave you empty when they’re done. The gaping hole got bigger and you’re out some cash and some recall—- only to repeat it all again. 

That’s peace ? THAT’S God's best for His people/ humanity ? Really?!?!? Nope. It’s not. 

Listen- as I addressed in another blog- I’m not here as some pharmacy rep either saying having a formal prescription is better or “more Christian” than weed or alcohol. At the end of the day, all supplements of any kind will ever do is assist-  but nothing and no one truly heals all but Jesus! Do I think if you’re going to require some type of aid to your pain - mental, emotional or physical - as a Christian you should toe the line and pursue proper medication not some home cocktail - 100% yes. BUT ALSO- do the work! Take the time to address what’s making weed, pills, and all the wine bottles necessary in the first place! Why can’t you relax with friends without drinking ? Why can’t you be yourself and loosen up without smoking ? Why can’t you go to that event without popping pills first ? Why? “I just need to clear my mind!” From WHAT? Address it! Face it! Go get some real healing and find out what kind of life you were truly meant to live — where you can sleep peacefully every night - for real- and walk your neighborhood confidently or participate in that family outing without crippling anxiety or look out your window upon waking in the morning and see hope and possibilities instead of darkness and despair. With Jesus ALL things are possible if you believe. You’re putting your faith in a substance, yes I’ll give it to you, a “natural” substance — when you really could bypass that and have the personal assistance of THE Creator Himself. 

”And don’t get drunk with wine, which is rebellion; instead be filled continually with the Holy Spirit.“‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭TPT‬‬

There we go- God gives His own alternate to your addiction - you don’t need wine and spirits - you need THE Holy Spirit. You need God to come and fill those voids, healing you  through His word and walk in actual victory, not the devil’s counterfeit.  I don’t know about you- I’d rather talk to The Creator and true source of peace than be high as a kite with no guarantee of lasting peace any day of the week. 

Think about it.