Could you show me scripture verses to demonstrate why drugs are wrong, bad, and sinful?
As you know, the Greek word pharmakeia is found only a few places (Galatians 5:20; Revelation 9:21; 18:23) in the New Testament. Nevertheless, it refers to the use of drugs in the context of witchcraft, which is clearly condemned.
Other than this, the Bible says very little directly, so far as drugs are concerned. It is a different matter when we come to the subject of wine or alcohol. The Bible has much to say. The affect of drugs on the body and mind is similar to that of alcohol, and thus we can legitimately apply a good deal of the biblical teaching on wine to drugs. There are some exceptions, however. The Bible does not absolutely forbid using wine or alcohol. It forbids drunkenness, and the use of what we might call fortified wine, or a drink that is designed to make one drunk (Proverbs 23:29-35). Our Lord obviously drank wine (see Luke 7:33-34), and Paul recommended that Timothy drink a little wine "for his stomach's sake" (1 Timothy 5:23). I would say that we dare not conclude that "a little heroin or crack" is beneficial, other than the use of small doses of drugs like morphine for the control of severe pain. The addictive nature of drugs would indicate we should not try a little. Some would say the same of alcohol, though the Bible does not strictly forbid this. (However an alcoholic knows better than to consume any alcohol whatever.)
The abuses of wine begin early in the Bible, with Noah getting drunk and then being seen in a shameful state (Genesis 9:20-27). Then there was Lot, whose two daughters got him drunk because it was only in this state that he would sin as he did (Genesis 19:30-38). Over and over in the Bible the use of alcohol is seen as that which causes one to set aside good judgment (Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:2-9; Isaiah 5:21-23; 56:9-12; Hosea 4:11-12).
In Ephesians 5:18 being drunk with wine is compared and contrasted with being "filled with the Spirit." The results of these two influences are very different. One cannot imagine a drunken man being "filled with the Spirit." The word "filled" speaks of control. To be "filled with the Spirit" is to live a life under His control, His influence. To be drunk is to live without self-control (a fruit of the Spirit -- see Galatians 5:16-21, 23; 2 Timothy 1:7), to live under the control of the wine, and of evil impulses and desires.
In 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, some of the Corinthians were over-indulging in food and drink (see verse 21), leading to a shameful celebration of the Lord's death, and even to judgment.
While drunkenness causes us to lose control of ourselves and to do things we should not, Christians are commanded to present their bodies to God as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6). We are not to live in drunkenness as we once did (1 Peter 4:1-5). We are to bring our bodies under control, and not to be controlled by our bodily appetites (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). We are to learn from the failures of the ancient Israelites (1 Corinthians 10:1-13), who gave in to their appetites (note the contrast between "spiritual food and drink" with the heathen "food and drink" -- on through to verse 33).
Alcohol and drugs take control of our bodies, and our lives. We are to live under the control of God's Spirit, to His glory. Drunkenness and drug use thus have no place in the life of the Christian.
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