Drugs I. Introduction A. Let us explore an evil that continues to plague our society B. Drug use C. Even society recognizes the terrible nature of many of these drugs and has banned them D. There still remain, however, many drugs that while legal are still not something that the Christian should use E. We also ought to give consideration to the drugs we do use F. Let us therefore examine these matters further and what the Scriptures have to say about them II. Kinds of Drugs A. Let us begin by looking at the various kinds of drugs out there B. "Recreational" drugs 1. So named because they are not taken for any medicinal benefit or any real benefit at all save the "pleasure" of being high 2. They share in also being illegal 3. "Hard" "recreational" drugs include opium, heroin, and cocaine, highly addictive, expensive, and often fatal drugs 4. Other recreational drugs include speed and crystal meth(amphetamine), the latter of which has become highly popular in rural areas and has led to stricter controls on ephedrine-based allergy and cold medications 5. Ecstasy has become rather popular recently, and has led to all kinds of problems 6. Marijuana is the "tamest" of the "recreational" drugs, and often rationalized in various ways, but remains a dangerous and addictive substance that often leads to the use of other, "stronger" drugs 7. There are other such "recreational" drugs, but these represent the majority use C. Alcohol 1. Another potent drug is alcohol, most often consumed in wine, beer, and other spirits 2. It can be addicting and impairs greatly D. Nicotine 1. Nicotine, also, is a drug, and the addictive component of tobacco cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chew 2. It is also the calming agent in such E. Prescription Drugs 1. There are also many other drugs that have good, wholesome uses, but can also be abused 2. Most such drugs are prescription drugs-- not designed for people to just get at a whim, hence requiring a prescription 3. When taken in prescribed doses and for the prescribed time, such drugs can do well; when overtaken or taken too long, many times they can cause dependence and other problems 4. Painkillers and sleep aids are the most commonly abused prescription drugs, but really any drug can be abused F. Such are the types of drugs out there III. Why Do People Engage in Drug Use? A. It is good to ask: why do people do such things? B. With some legitimate drugs, people take them to get better and to relieve painful symptoms, and there is no problem with doing such C. Many begin to take drugs because of peer pressure 1. Many believe that drug use will make them popular because they will be with the "cool people" who use drugs 2. Some are propositioned to take drugs and accept D. Many take drugs to feel good 1. Many desire to get the "high" of the drug and feel good 2. It does not occur to them, or they do not care about, the lows that the drug also causes E. Many take drugs to escape from harsh realities 1. Drugs are the way that many try to escape from difficult lives 2. The problems in life do not go away; they will most likely multiply...but if you can't feel them, who cares? F. Many take drugs because of addiction 1. Many drugs are habit-forming, and addiction to drugs is highly prevalent 2. Most drug use is probably due to addiction G. While many other reasons may exist, these are the main ones IV. The Consequences of Illicit Drug Use A. There are many negative consequences to drug use that ought to be considered B. Drugs become your master 1. Drugs are heavily addicting, and most of them will own you 2. Your life will no longer be your own, but you will do whatever is necessary to feed the addiction C. Lives are broken 1. Families are destroyed, parents and children estranged, divorce and financial ruin occurs when drugs are used 2. Many times life is simply not able to be repaired D. People turn to crime and prostitution 1. Much criminal action and prostitution is due to drug use and the need to find any way possible to feed the drug addiction 2. Many innocent lives are impacted negatively on the quest for drugs E. Lack of awareness leads to poor decisions 1. Many people make decisions high they would never make sober 2. This is especially true of females on ecstasy F. Prison often awaits those who use drugs G. If you get to rehabilitation, it will take a long time to wean off the addiction and your life may never be right H. Death often comes due to overdosing on drugs and for other reasons I. While most of these lean more toward "harder" drugs, simply because some drugs are "tamer" does not mean that they have no consequences 1. Most everyone who uses "harder" drugs began with the "tamer" ones 2. Once one gets numb to the effect of marijuana, for example, what comes next? J. Such are some worldly reasons to consider the negatives of drug use V. The Bible on Drug Use A. Having examined these matters, we can now see what the Bible says about such drug use B. Self-control and sobriety: 1 Peter 4:7 1. We often see these two concepts in the Bible, either separately or together 2. We must have control of ourselves, and oftentimes drug use ends that control 3. In fact, drugs are often taken in order to feel that lack of control! 4. It is imperative, however, that we as Christians maintain our control, for we are not our own 5. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 2:20: Our body is no longer our own, but bought with a price, and Christ is now to be in us and we are to be temples of the Holy Spirit 6. How can we give ourselves over to Christ or be the vessel of the Holy Spirit if we have given ourselves over to drugs? 7. Likewise, the need we have to be sober ought to invalidate any desire we may have to be high on drugs, for they are polar opposites 8. Sobriety, as often indicated, is the state of not being intoxicated by anything 9. We cannot be sober-minded and yet using alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, or any other such substance! 10. If we are going to follow God's mandates that we be self-controlled and sober-minded, then, we will not use such drugs C. Civil Obedience: Romans 13:1-7 1. Many drugs, including marijuana, ecstasy, crystal meth, speed, heroin, cocaine, and opium are right out because they are illegal according to U.S. law! 2. Prescription abuse is also illegal! 3. Therefore, any consumption of such drugs or abuse of prescription drugs is sinful by virtue of illegality! D. Galatians 5:19-21 and pharmakeia 1. Another interesting Biblical comment regarding drugs may be found in Galatians 5:19-21, the works of the flesh 2. The word used for "sorcery" in Galatians 5:20 is the Greek word pharmakeia, from which we get our term "pharmacy" 3. Now, lest anyone think that Paul is condemning the use of any drugs at all, we must remember the nature of the ancient "pharmacist" 4. Ancient "pharmacists" would have medical potions but also work in the black arts; consider the "apothecary" of the medieval and Shakespearean world 5. Paul is not against the use of drugs for positive medicinal value (1 Timothy 5:23), and his primary condemnation in this passage is toward those engaging in the black arts 6. Having seen other Scriptures regarding these matters, nevertheless, we are not mistaken to consider illegal drug use and drug abuse as being part of this pharmakeia and thus works of the flesh, leading to condemnation! E. The Biblical witness, then, is clear: drug use, with the exception of prescription or non-prescription (pharmaceutical) drugs used in their proper dosage for the proper time for the proper purposes, works against our imperative of self-control and sobriety, and represent a work of the flesh to be avoided at all costs! F. Let us then avoid improper drug use! VI. Conclusion A. We have examined the nature of drugs today B. We have seen what types of drugs are used, why people use them, and their consequences C. We have seen how the Bible commands us to be self-controlled and sober, and that drug use works against those commands D. We have seen how drugs really are a work of the flesh and are to be avoided E. Let us then avoid improper drug use and be self-controlled and sober servants of Christ, always waiting and prepared for His return (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)! F. Songbook/invitation G. If your master is not currently Christ, your master then is sin and Satan and the wages for such is death (Romans 6) 1. That fate, however, is avoidable 2. Come in obedient faith today! H. If your master is Christ, and we can do anything to encourage you today, please let us do so I. Whatever your need, please come to the front now as we stand and sing