Is it acceptable to use marijuana as a Christian? What does the Bible have to say about marijuana use? Isn’t it okay because God created it? There are many questions Christians today have about marijuana use. As it becomes increasingly decriminalized in the United States and the overall perception of marijuana becomes less negative, it’s easy to adopt the misconception that marijuana use is harmless. Unfortunately, marijuana use can have a negative impact on your body, mind and relationship with God.
As it is written in Ephesians 5:18, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Though marijuana is not wine, it is an intoxicating substance that misdirects your focus away from God, away from his calling and possibly on to the desire of this drug.
For help with a marijuana dependence, seek the help of Christian counselors now by calling (844) 402-3605 for a confidential consultation.
As of 2015, more than 11 million adults between the ages of 18 and 25 used marijuana while the number of young adults who perceive marijuana as risky is declining. Furthermore, more than 7% of adults over the age of 26 use marijuana daily while nearly half of surveyed adults the same age had a history of using it at some time in their life. Seeing the frequency of it’s use, it’s important to understand how marijuana use affects the body, mind and spirit.
Psychological Effects of Marijuana Use
Short-term psychological effects of marijuana can include impaired thinking, difficulty concentrating, hallucinations, delusions, impaired memory and decreased problem-solving ability. After chronic use, some people experienced a loss of up to 8 IQ points and had greater difficulty with memory and problem-solving as they aged.
Physical Effects of Marijuana Use
Use of marijuana can lead to breathing difficulties and increased heart rate. For individuals who use the substance daily, breathing problems can worsen over time and contribute to more serious health issues, such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pregnant women who use marijuana may give birth to babies considered to be of low birth weight while some children exposed to marijuana in utero have documented issues with attention and memory.
Spiritual Effects of Marijuana Use
It’s difficult to quantify the effects marijuana use has on your spirit, but using marijuana does lead to low motivation, concentration and memory issues. When trying to get closer to God through His Word, these issues can hinder progress. This is why 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 warns, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
When using marijuana, you’re focused on things of this world rather than His kingdom and glorifying Him. Humans were created to glorify God and the Bible commands God’s followers to spread the news of salvation.
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” – Mark 16:15
To break free from the chains of addiction, contact us for a confidential consultation at (844) 402-3605 anytime.
Why People Use Marijuana
Both Christians and non-Christians are human beings, and humans are not exempt from temptation. Given free will, humans can act as they please and, often, try to solve problems themselves instead of turning to God. People use marijuana for a variety of reasons, but here are the most popular reasons people use:
- To treat acute and chronic physical pain
- To alleviate boredom
- To self-medicate mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety
- To socialize with others
- To improve sleep and appetite
In many cases, marijuana isn’t used to simply get intoxicated. Often, there is an underlying physical or psychological issue that is being medicated by marijuana use. Until the real issue is uncovered and treated in a positive manner, substance use is likely to continue.
Whether you’ve used marijuana a few times or for decades, it can be hard to stop. That is why God reminds His followers in the Bible that they were created with the ability to be self-disciplined, which is strengthened through faith.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Faith Based Treatment Options for Marijuana Use
God always provides hope and assistance to those who serve Him, and man has never been alone in his struggle. As the Bible states in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Faith based treatment exists as the way out God is providing for you. While getting closer to Him, you can work with a Christian counseling team to strengthen your faith, restore your mind and get on the road to recovery. Services offered include:
- Pastoral and Individual Counseling. Meet with a pastoral counselor for individual sessions to help identify your personal triggers, develop positive coping skills and work through trauma or abuse. Create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
- Biblically Based 12-Step Meetings. Meet others and gain support through Christian 12-step meetings. Each meeting is designed to weave God’s Word into the twelve steps to inspire and encourage you to meet your recovery goals.
- Treatment for Chronic Pain. Marijuana is often used as self-medication for chronic pain. Learn other ways to manage chronic pain through Road To Freedom’s pain management program.
- Bible Study and Peer Support Groups. Dive deep into God’s Word and develop a network of supportive peers in a safe, comfortable environment. Topics focus on real life, like relationships, work, addiction and faith.
- Treatment for Dual Diagnosis. Like pain, mental health issues can co-exist with marijuana use. In the substance abuse field, this is called dual diagnosis. Christian counselors and staff are trained to specifically treat both substance use and mental health concerns using evidence based practices to ensure the best possible outcome.
- Life Skills Training. In the process of using substances, many people find they have a decreased ability to cope with everyday life or simply do not have the skills to handle common stressors. The life skills training program builds upon your existing knowledge to provide a comprehensive foundation from which you can tackle life’s obstacles and accomplish your goals.
- Church Services. Held on a weekly basis, church services bring people together to worship, engage in fellowship and study God’s Word. Through God, recovery isn’t simply a term; it’s a fresh approach to each day that ensures you live an abundant, spirit-filled life.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” – Titus 2:11-14
Get Help from Christian Counseling Professionals
If you or a loved one is struggling with marijuana use, you’re not alone. God hasn’t given up and you shouldn’t, either. Get help from our friendly Christian counseling team at Road To Freedom by calling (844) 402-3605 today. We provide complimentary confidential consultations and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.