Narcotics and the Bible

Update September 19, 2024

All quotes herein are from the New International Version of the Bible. It should be noted before I continue that I have never taken illicit drugs in my life. Nor would I take them if the laws were revoked. I rarely even drink alcohol, and in moderation when I do. Personally, I avoid things which affect the operation of my mind. I do not want to open up the possibility of losing my will-power and doing something I would later regret. Further, as far as relaxing, I need no drugs whether legal or illicit to do so. The peace of God rests in my soul and more than compensates for whatever life has thrown my way. Also, my views on drugs are more extensive than what is said herein, but this is to be a short exposition on what the Bible says about drugs. So what does the Bible say?

Speaking of Jesus, the Apostle Paul says,

'He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible...' (emphasis mine)
Colossians 1:15-16

If we believe that God created everything, then we must believe that he created Hemp, Opium Poppies, and Coca plants.

'Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.'
Genesis 1:11-12

Hemp, Opium Poppies, and Coca are all "seed-bearing plants". And God says that they are good.

'The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.' (emphasis mine)
1 Timothy 4:1-5

The Apostle Paul, talking to an early church leader, teaches that everything that God created is good (and as above, God created everything including Hemp), and is not to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. Further, he states that those who order people to abstain from certain foods are "hypocritical liars".

Now, of course, the question is: what about uses other than for food? The smoking of hemp blossoms (pot) cannot be considered food. Yet, hemp was certainly known during all of the period during which the books of the Bible were being written and nowhere does the scripture forbid the smoking of it. Insofar as the effects of smoking pot are similar to the effects of alcohol, we could apply the various verses about alcohol to smoking pot. It is not forbidden, but rather one is not to overindulge (good common sense anyway). What of the extraction of Opium and Cocaine from plants? Again, it is not a food, but their use is not restricted in the Bible. However, considering the significant difference between such drugs and Pot, we cannot really draw any parallels with alcohol.

We must consider the reason for the use of drugs, especially concentrated extracts such as Cocaine. From what I've personally witnessed, it seems that most drug use (and any addiction for that matter) is usually an attempt to medicate spiritual issues and/or unresolved trauma. The drug use doesn't fix the problem, it applies a temporary bandage. And then it creates additional problems.

We also must consider that taking part in the drug trade - even as a causual consumer - makes us participants with evil, murderous men and organizations. Every dollar spent on drugs is an encouragement to this evil. None of us should be participants in such an evil.

Does the Bible have any teaching about narcotics, in general? Yes, indeed. Use of such things are hardly a modern consideration. Narcotics have been used for thousands of years by various people around the world to "elevate" individuals into the spiritual realm where they can gain guidance, etc. Conscience altering drugs certainly can make people think they are conversing with spiritual beings. Whether they are or not, I don't know. But occult practices and narcotic use have a long association. Greek and Roman cults made use of narcotics for similar purposes, and Paul directly addresses this when he tells the Galatians:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21

The word translated as "witchcraft" is the Greek "pharmakeia", from which we get "pharmacy". That is, magic and drug use were so intertwined that they were essentially synonymous. And what does Paul say about such things? "they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God." Well, that sounds pretty serious.

So for the foregoing reasons, it is impossible for me to find any scriptural support for the use of extracted, purified, naturally occurring narcotics outside of medical uses. And I see zero support for narcotics that are entirely the result of chemical reactions in laboratories (such as meth). In fact, I see support against it! There is a difference between chewing coca leaves and extracting cocaine in a concentrated pure form. Chewing the leaves causes mild (and even beneficial) effects whereas taking cocaine can be lethal.

"Submit yourselves for the LORD's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right."
1 Peter 2:13-14

Leaving said "hard" drugs behind, what about the more natural ones? As in many things, whether or not the use of something is good or bad depends upon the motives for use. There are legitimate medical uses for some drugs, but most people use them for recreation. This goes for alcohol as well. I see a distinct moral difference between those two motivations. Gratifying the desires of our selfish, sinful, nature are completely contrary to a Godly life.

Though we are not commanded by God to not take any of these substances (as drugs or food) and we are told to obey the rulers of our land. We may feel a responsibility to revoke those laws but we are not to break them while they are in effect.

"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray."
1 Peter 4:7

'"Everything is permissible for me" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" - but I will not be mastered by anything.'
1 Corinthians 6:12

As I said before, I would not take any of these drugs, even if they were legal because I want to be clear-minded at all times, and in complete control of my actions. Iit is not beneficial to be under the control (even partially) of some substance. But here I must point out the difference between eating hemp and smoking it. Eating it casues mild effects whereas smoking it causes more pronounced effects. And then there is the difference between smoking a little and smoking a lot (such as the difference between drinking a little and being drunk).