What Does the Bible Say About Drugs and Alcohol?

Introduction

A. Moral issues must be addressed from the Bible.

Christians cannot assume that everyone automatically knows right from wrong.

The world constantly promotes sinful attitudes concerning:

Drugs

Alcohol

Pornography

Fornication

Theft

Other moral issues

Though these subjects may be unpleasant, the Bible addresses them.

We must open the Scriptures and learn God’s will.

B. Drugs and alcohol remain serious problems in society.

Education and public warnings have not eliminated the problem.

Drug overdoses, drunk driving, addiction, and alcohol-related deaths affect local communities.

These statistics represent real people, families, and neighbors.

C. The purpose of this lesson

Others may discuss the medical and social effects.

Our purpose is to consider drugs and alcohol from a biblical point of view.

What does the Bible say about their use?

I. Drugs and Alcohol Are Condemned as Works of the Flesh

Galatians 5:19–21

A. Drunkenness is a work of the flesh.

Drunkenness is a state of intoxication.

Those who practice the works of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Most agree that complete intoxication is sinful.

B. The Bible also condemns drinking short of complete drunkenness.

1 Peter 4:3–4

Peter describes several stages of drinking:

Drunkenness

Revelries or carousing

Drinking parties

Revelries describe wild and uninhibited behavior connected with drinking.

Drinking parties describe social drinking, even when people do not intend to become completely drunk.

Therefore, the Bible does not approve of drinking merely because a person stops short of drunkenness.

C. Social drinking creates additional spiritual dangers.

It sets a poor example.

It can become a stumbling block to others.Matthew 18:6–7

It may encourage a weak or young Christian to begin drinking.

It supports an industry that has brought misery and destruction to many lives.

D. Recreational drug use is also included among the works of the flesh.

“Sorcery” or “witchcraft” comes from the Greek word pharmakeia.

The word was connected with:

Drugs

Poisoning

Spells

Sorcery

Drugs were often used to alter the minds of those participating in occult practices.

This condemnation includes the recreational use of mind-altering drugs.

II. Drugs and Alcohol Impair Sobriety and Self-Control

A. Alcohol destroys sound judgment.

1. Kings were warned against intoxicating drink.

Proverbs 31:4–5

Drinking could cause them to forget the law.

Drinking could cause them to pervert justice.

2. Priests and prophets erred through intoxicating drink.

Isaiah 28:7

They erred in vision.

They stumbled in judgment.

Their minds were impaired.

B. Christians are commanded to remain sober.

1. Walk carefully and wisely.

Ephesians 5:15–18

Walk circumspectly.

Understand the will of the Lord.

Do not be drunk with wine.

Be filled with the Spirit.

2. Prepare and control the mind.

1 Peter 1:13

Gird up the loins of your mind.

Be sober.

Remain prepared, alert, and clear-thinking.

C. Sobriety means freedom from intoxicating influence.

Alcohol begins affecting the body and brain with the first drink.

A Christian cannot remain completely free from the influence of alcohol while recreationally consuming it.

Any passage commanding sobriety and self-control condemns recreational drug and alcohol use.

D. A distinction must be made concerning legitimate medical treatment.

Some medications may affect the mind.

Sedation may be necessary during surgery.

Pain medication may be necessary during recovery.

The issue is not the proper use of medicine.

The issue is the recreational use and abuse of mind-altering substances.

III. Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco Harm the Body

1 Corinthians 6:19–20

A. The Christian’s body belongs to God.

The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

We are not our own.

We were bought with a price.

We must glorify God in our bodies.

B. Alcohol damages the body.

It harms brain cells.

It damages the heart.

It damages the liver and pancreas.

It weakens the immune system.

It contributes to various cancers.

C. Tobacco damages the body.

Smoking damages:

The lungs

The heart

The brain

The skin

Smoking and chewing tobacco contribute to cancer.

D. Recreational drugs damage the body.

Marijuana damages the brain, heart, and lungs.

Cocaine damages the brain.

Stimulants push the body beyond normal endurance.

Depressants can dangerously slow the body.

Hallucinogens can produce lasting mental effects.

Inhalants damage the throat, lungs, brain, liver, and kidneys.

E. Willingly damaging the body is sinful.

Our bodies belong to God.

We must not deliberately destroy what belongs to Him.

Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco work against the command to glorify God in the body.

IV. Drugs and Alcohol Are Addictive

1 Corinthians 6:12

A. Christians must not be mastered by anything.

“I will not be brought under the power of any.”

Other translations say:

“I will not be mastered by anything.”

“I will not be enslaved by anything.”

Christian freedom does not permit us to become slaves to a substance.

B. Addictive substances have the power to enslave.

Alcohol can enslave.

Nicotine can enslave.

Illegal drugs can enslave.

Prescription painkillers can also become addictive.

C. Wine enslaves the heart.

Hosea 4:11

Alcohol takes control of the heart.

Addiction begins with the first use.

Abstinence prevents substance addiction.

D. Christians should not gamble with addiction.

Not everyone becomes addicted immediately.

No one knows beforehand who will become addicted.

Some battle addiction for the remainder of their lives.

The safest and wisest choice is never to begin.

V. Illegal Drug Use Violates the Law of the Land

Romans 13:1–2

A. Christians must submit to governing authorities.

Civil authorities have been appointed by God.

Resisting lawful authority is resisting God’s ordinance.

B. Many substances are illegal.

Many drugs are illegal to buy, sell, possess, or use.

Alcohol and tobacco are illegal for those who are underage.

When the law forbids the substance, the Christian must obey the law.

C. Legality does not determine morality.

Some drugs may eventually become legal.

Alcohol is already legal for adults.

Something may be legal and still violate biblical principles.

God’s Word remains the final standard.

VI. Drugs and Alcohol Bring Misery and Loss

A. Alcohol leads people astray.

Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker.

Strong drink is a brawler.

Whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

B. The Bible truthfully describes the effects of alcohol.

Proverbs 23:29–35

Alcohol produces:

Woe

Sorrow

Contentions

Complaints

Wounds

Redness of eyes

Alcohol may appear attractive and harmless.

In the end, it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper.

It produces:

Distorted vision

Perverse speech

Loss of balance

Loss of feeling

Enslavement

The addict awakens only to seek another drink.

C. Substance abuse harms more than the user.

Spouses and children may be neglected or abused.

Parents may experience fear, emotional turmoil, theft, or physical violence.

Communities suffer from:

Crime

Accidents

Medical expenses

Financial burdens

Substance abuse is never merely a private matter.

D. Drug and alcohol use violates love for others.

Matthew 7:12

We must treat others as we want to be treated.

Romans 13:9–10

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Love does no harm to a neighbor.

VII. Christians Must Have No Fellowship with These Works of Darkness

Ephesians 5:11

A. Drugs and alcohol are connected with works of darkness.

They impair judgment.

They destroy the body.

They enslave the user.

They harm families and communities.

They lead people away from God.

B. Christians must not participate in them.

Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.

Expose them for what they truly are.

Abstain from every form of evil.

VIII. Why Do People Use Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco?

A. Some give in to peer pressure.

Romans 12:2

The world pressures Christians to conform.

Young people feel pressure to fit in.

Adults may also feel pressure at:

Social gatherings

Business events

Holiday parties

Pressure from others does not justify disobedience.

B. Some use them to prove their maturity.

Drinking, smoking, or drug use may be treated as a rite of passage.

This does not prove maturity.

It merely proves that a person can live like the world.

True maturity is demonstrated through wisdom and self-control.

Galatians 6:7–8

We reap what we sow.

Sowing to the flesh produces corruption.

C. Some become addicted during medical treatment.

Strong pain medications may be necessary.

They must be used only as prescribed.

Patients must recognize their addictive potential.

Christians must not allow themselves to become enslaved.

D. Some use substances to escape reality.

Philippians 4:6–7

Drugs and alcohol do not solve life’s problems.

God does not tell us to escape reality.

God gives us strength and peace to face reality.

Through prayer, God guards our hearts and minds.

E. Some use them for pleasure.

Hebrews 11:25

Sin may provide temporary pleasure.

The pleasure passes away.

The high is followed by:

Hangovers

Withdrawals

Guilt

Consequences

1 John 2:15–17

The world is passing away.

Its pleasures are temporary.

Lasting joy is found in serving God.

IX. God’s Word Answers Every Excuse

A. The Bible answers peer pressure.

Do not conform to the world.

B. The Bible answers the desire to prove maturity.

We reap what we sow.

C. The Bible answers addiction.

Do not be mastered by anything.

D. The Bible answers the desire to escape.

Bring your worries to God in prayer.

E. The Bible answers the desire for pleasure.

The pleasures of sin are temporary.

True joy is found in God.

Conclusion

A. Society and technology may change.

New drugs will be developed.

New methods of using drugs will appear.

Laws concerning drugs may change.

Society may become increasingly accepting of substance use.

B. God’s truth does not change.

Drugs and alcohol are works of the flesh.

They impair sobriety and self-control.

They damage the body.

They are addictive.

They bring misery to users and others.

They are works of darkness.

C. Christians must stand firmly upon biblical principles.

Learn what the Bible teaches.

Stand behind those principles.

Encourage one another.

Teach young people about the dangers.

Pray for God’s help.

Let your light shine in a drug-filled and intoxicated world.

Invitation

Become a Christian through obedience to the gospel.

Repent and make things right if sin has entered your life.

Seek the prayers and support of the church when overwhelmed.

Respond to the Lord while there is opportunity.