Is Smoking Marijuana Sin?

I was in a small hotel called Mama Otieno’s eating chapos and beans. One of the guys knowing that I was a Christian said to me “hey I know you’re a Christian what does the Bible say about smoking “bang?” I was starving and had just started eating my well-made chapati and quickly said, “it is a sin.” 

However, as many of you know, that was not a good enough answer. He knowing that it was not a good enough answer said “Where does it say that? Is smoking bang a sin even in the Bible? Bang has it benefits if it helps someone with their stress, why is it sinful?” With greasy chapati fingers, I grabbed my phone and pulled up a few scriptures, and we began talking. We had a friendly discussion about whether or not smoking bang is sinful and I thought I should write a blog on it. So here are the main points and biblical principles from Mama Lucy chapati and bean conversation on why I believe biblically it is sinful to smoke marijuana. 

Getting High is Sin 

The guy I was sitting with at Mama Lucy’s was right in that the Bible does not have the word “Marijuana” in it. It also does not mention a lot of specific sins, but that does not mean that we are unable to apply biblical truth to guide and direct us in our lives. Peter, after all, says that all we need for life and godliness is found in the knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 1:3). That knowledge is learned through scripture and the Spirit of God. The most straightforward way for us to determine if something is good for life and godliness is to look at scripture and see what it says, and then we will be able to gather principles to determine if something is wise, unwise, sin, or not sin in everyday life. 

In regards to whether or not smoking marijuana is a sin, I would say we need to look at scriptures like Galatians 5:19-21. There is a long list of sins that are present there (Galatians 5:19-21). One of the sins mentioned is “drunkenness” which in the original Greek language has the idea of being intoxicated and losing control of one’s mind or senses. Alcohol and marijuana are very alike in that they both lead you to be intoxicated, which is a sin, according to Galatians 5:19-21. In English, we would say that “drunkenness” is simply about drinking, but in the Greek of which the Bible is written, it is expanded to losing control of one’s mind or senses which would also incorporate being high. The whole point of smoking marijuana or any recreational drug is to be high, and doing that leads you to lose control of your mind and senses.

Another interesting word found in the list of Galatians 5:19-21 is the word “sorcery” or “witchcraft” in other versions of the Bible. The Greek word for this means “drugging or being drugged.” In the times that the New Testament was written witchcraft used mysterious liquids to drug people and put curses on them. The greek word for “sorcery” and “witchcraft is the word from which we derive “pharmacy” or “chemist.” So the use of drugs even in “sorcery” was to cause people to be intoxicated to bring harm to them through witchcraft. From this, I think it is easy to see that recreational drugs of which marijuana is one is not a godly thing to use. If a witch would use drugs to bring harm to people, why would you smoke one of those drugs? 

Affects Your Mind 

As I mentioned earlier on the definition of the Greek word for “drunkenness” in Galatians 5:19-21 is losing control of one’s mind or senses. Our minds are powerful things which help us know and understand the Lord. The greatest commandment is the love the Lord with all your “mind” (Matthew 22:37). It is through a sober mind that one can overcome suffering (1 Peter 2:19), overcome demonic oppression (1Peter 5:8), love others more effectively (1 Peter 3:8), and pray effectively (1 Peter 4:7). 

Another thing to consider is that you want to be “sober-minded” to get ready and experience the ultimate high of Jesus’ return (1 Peter 1:13). Don’t let smoking marijuana get in the way of these things. Having your mind at its full capacity will help you find greater joy in God than getting high off of marijuana. If you want to know that joy that can be found in God, then please click the “Receive Christ” button at the bottom of this blog. 

Hinders Love

Another thought to consider is that love is the highest ethic that is in our world. If you want to love your neighbour as you love yourself (Matthew 22:39) which is apart of the greatest commandment, then you must have a sober mind. Every time that you get high from smoking marijuana, you are unable to help someone in need. You could not drive someone to the hospital. You would be unfit to cook someone dinner who is hungry. You would not have compassion for those who need a listening ear. 

Many people say that getting high is not a problem to others; instead, it is helping someone forget their problems. My thought though is that you’re increasing your family, neighbour, or friend’s problems because when you’re high from smoking marijuana, you’re unfit to love them as well as you could. Smoking marijuana increases selfishness and decreases your love for others. 

Conclusion

As I conclude this blog on smoking marijuana, I want to encourage whoever reads this to remember that loving God and loving others are the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-39) and smoking marijuana will hinder your obedience to these commands. Ask yourself what means the most to you? I hope that you will answer God, family, friends, and work and in that order. Suppose that is the case then why would you want hinder getting the most out of those relationships.

Push away smoking marijuana which is a hindrance to enjoying what means the most to you. If you honestly do not put away marijuana, then there are warnings against such behaviour. In 1 Corinthians 6:10, we see that “drunkards” will not inherit the kingdom of God. As argued above, getting drunk with alcohol and getting high off of marijuana share a common effect of intoxication and intoxication is sin. A drunkard is someone, according to Paul, who actively practices the sin of drunkenness. The ultimate effects of that sin is hell. Is smoking marijuana worth eternal separation from God? 

If you’re struggling with smoking marijuana and desire to overcome it, please tell someone immediately (James 5:16) and consider downloading the Kuza App and read the “Live Free” devotional series.