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Psychedelic Drugs

I am a very strong Christian and am struggling with the use of psychedelics. Having been experienced, psychedelics have a spiritual effect unlike anything else. I could never put it into words. To sum it up as best I can, it is like spending time with God. I don't use them recreationally but specifically with God in mind. I can't find anything concrete in the Bible that says one way or the other. Moses used certain psychoactive herbs in the Holy Anointing oil. All the Bible talks about is alcohol. Mushrooms and cannabis are natural. Why did God create them? Psychedelics don't harm your body either. 2 Corinthians 5:13 says "If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God, if we are in our right mind it is for you." Please give me some insight or some verses to turn to.

I have to say that this is a question that hits close to home for me. I was addicted to drugs and alcohol for a number of years before getting saved. In fact, my drug of choice was marijuana. I practically stayed high for nearly 3 years before accepting Christ as my Saviour. It took me a full year after my conversion to finally quit. One thing that I have to say straight out is that using intoxicating psychedelic drugs is not of God. I know your reaction must be....how can you be so sure? I am absolutely sure about this because of what the Bible says repeatedly about being sober. Check out just a few of the many verses on being sober:

  1. (1 Peter 1:13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
  2. (1 Peter 4:7) But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
  3. (1 Peter 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
  4. In 1 Peter 1:13, notice how you are commanded to "gird up the loins of your mind." What an amazing phrase. You know how your imagination runs wild when you are high. But the word of God says that our imaginations are vain and that we should cast them down and bring even every thought into captivity and obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). The Bible says our imaginations can become vain, and when they do, our heart is darkened (Romans 1:21). Drugs greatly exacerbate this. I can't tell you how many foolish thoughts and vain surmising I had while on psychedelic drugs. Why all the strong language about sobriety you say? Look at the third verse I pasted from 1 Peter 5:8. Even with a sober mind it is difficult to escape the snares of Satan in this world. Read these verses on Satan snaring people:
  5. [1 Timothy 3:7] Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
  6. [1 Timothy 6:9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
  7. [2 Timothy 2:26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Satan is actively snaring Christians....yes...Christians. These verses are referring to Christians being snared. Notice in 2 Timothy 2:26 that Satan also takes Christians captive at his will. If you are a Christian you must come to grips with the reality that Satan is actively attacking your mind to get you to destroy yourself. If you are saved Satan cannot get your soul, but he can get your family, ministry, and entire life here on earth. Satan wants to destroy you in the flesh....see 1 Corinthians 5. In this chapter the believers at Corinth are instructed to turn a church member out who was completely given over to the devil.

Let me ask you something, if you were out in the jungle and a roaring lion was wandering about looking to attack, kill and devour you, would you be sitting around doing drugs that diminish your mental acuity? Let me answer this for you. If, and "if" is the operative word...."if" you were a wise man you would want to keep all your faculties about you. This would not be a game; it would be a life and death struggle. Now, how about you family, and friends, should you give Satan card blanch to do what will with these people. Are you mentally capable of defending your loved ones and yourself against Satan in a drugged up state? Satan, the highest "created" being God made, has been around for at least thousands of years. He is smart enough to make a mess out of whole countries, and you want to go up against him high?

Listen, the Bible doesn't specify that you shouldn't drink sulfuric acid, but that doesn't mean it is ok to do so. Just because God didn't name psychedelic drugs specifically doesn't mean He is endorsing its use. The Bible says the word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The way you interpret scripture is a reflection of your own heart. God didn't make His book confusing, and it is not that it is not specific enough; it is your heart that is the problem.

Joshua, there are laws in this country that make the use of these drugs illegal.....why do you think that is? Why do think employers do drug testing? Why do think the police do not want you driving while on drugs? These are secular sources that say that these drugs mess you up. They make it so that you cannot think straight. This is so readily apparent that it cannot be missed by a reasonable person.

With regard to your comment about alcohol, read my article on this (Jesus and Wine). And I don't know where you got the idea that Moses used certain psychoactive herbs in anointing oil, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Joshua, your mind is one of the most important parts of your body.....agreed? These drugs will not only impair your thinking temporarily, but can also cause long term damage. No one knows for sure how bad the long term effects are, but certainly every year you are on these drugs is a lost year in terms of what you could be learning about the scripture and God.

In the final analysis your mind in a sober state is the most important asset to your existence. Psychedelic drugs will destroy you and everyone around you given enough time. My heart's desire and sincere prayer to God is that your eyes may be opened to this evident fact.

Will Hoyt
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Proverbs 28:8

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
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