Summary of Taboo: Marijuana
Preamble
Brent begins by joking about the recent April 20 (“420 Day”) celebration of Marijuana. Brent discusses the change in our Canadian culture that is just a year away. He points out all the polls and stats about how Canadians feel indifferent or positive about pot. There is now a shift in our culture’s perspective on this illegal drug. The mentality of our culture is “I want, therefore I deserve.”
What is marijuana
It is a plant, which contains THC. This is the psychoactive agent that brings “the high.” It can be ingested in many ways from food, pipes, bongs, candies…Etc.
The benefits of pot as proven by Science
- People use marijuana to deal with chronic pain. (Proven by Science.)
- It can help during chemotherapy treatment in reducing the side effects, like nausea.
- It helps a person with M.S.
Now that marijuana is going to be legal, how should a Christian react to it?
As a Christian we are to obey the laws of the country we reside. So our stance on illegal drugs is quiet simple. But now, the typical Christian stance of “it’s illegal and so we shouldn’t use it” is no longer valid. There now seems to be a whole lot of a grey area.
1 Cor 10:31 – Do everything to glorify God.
Brent admits that he doesn’t think about his every day mundane actions as “glorifying God.” While this concept seems overwhelming, the true essence of the question is, “what are you doing that doesn’t glorify God?” Our primary reason is to glorify God because we are “God’s children.” Our actions should bring Him glory and our actions should not diminish God in other people’s eyes.
Love God with our whole being – our heart, our mind, our soul
God has given us a whole lot of freedom. That is the amazing side effect of salvation, but “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” Sometimes we might begin to think, “God has forgiven me and so I can keep on sinning. God will just continue to forgive my sin. So how much pot can we digest and still be good with God?” But this logic is ludicrous!
Eph 5:15,18
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…”
The negative effect of pot
- Users of pot have a higher suicide rate.
- Using it increases your chance of schizophrenia.
- It decreases a teens performance in school.
- It negatively affects a person’s ability to have good social relationships
Is it wise to use pot?
When a user desires “the stupor” that the drug brings, we know it is not a wise choice. Look at the other popular legalized drugs: beer and wine. When a user abuses alcohol it leads to drunkenness and debauchery. The Bible is clear that intoxicating is a sin. Yet the Bible does not discuss weed. But do we really need a verse to tell us it is unwise?
Genesis 1:29 – God gave all plants and animals to “man”, thus we can smoke pot?
This popular stance is irrelevant because when we use God’s creation to go against his other commands, we are sinning. God gave us his creation (the earth, plants, animals) to glorify him.
1 Peter 5:8 – be alert and sober of mind
God calls us to be “alert and sober of mind.” (Full verse: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.)
1 Cor 10:23-24 – everything is permissible…
Isn’t everything permissible? Let’s look to the example of Jesus as the answer. Jesus didn’t demand that his life be comfortable. Jesus wasn’t concentrating on his own status and his own success. Jesus didn’t live an entitled life. Jesus live a life that glorified his heavenly father by loving people, serving people, and proclaiming God’s message about salvation.
Should you smoke pot?
To know the answer:
- Will it glorify God?
- Will it keep you alert against the devil?
- Will it affect the people around you?
About this Message Series
This is the second message in a series called “Taboo 2017”. This series was started in April 2017, with the purpose to bring to light all the topics we like to hide in the dark. This is the third Taboo series of messages that covers the most awkward topics in church culture.
About the Speaker
Brent is the lead pastor here at SouthRidge. He and his wife Pam were part of the original church plant.