I've had conversations with friends, co-workers and with people across the counter at the business where I work about the self-abusive use of drugs, and why that's a bad thing. The opinions I've heard from others vary so widely that I can't recall them all. Everything from, "Hey, it's up to the individual," to "God doesn't like drugs." When I think about it, those two statements are not in conflict. God gives us free will, so if we want drugs to be our god, that is our choice. On the other hand, God is utterly opposed to the practice. That makes drug abuse a sin.

Can I back that up with Scripture? I think so. There are three places in the Bible as far as I could see, where the Greek word, "pharmakeia" is used. It's where we get the word, "pharmacy." The word is found in Galatians 5:20, and in Revelation 9:21 and 18:23. The word in these three passages is used in the context of sorcery (witchcraft), a practice which was punishable by death under the Law.

There isn't any direct mention of "drugs" in the Bible the way that most people think of them, but is that true? I don't believe it to be the case. I think that because of the worldwide use and abuse of drugs, it's portrayal in the news media and entertainment industry, most people have become desensitized in their thinking, and are a little less troubled by it than they should be.

Take a look at wine and alcohol in the Bible. "Wine and alcohol?" someone might ask, "You've got to be joking." I'm dead serious. Booze is definitely a drug, and one that is highly abused. The Bible treats it very directly and has a lot to say. The affects of other drugs on the body and the mind can easily be compared with those of alcohol, and we can apply a lot of the Biblical teaching on it to drugs. The Bible does not completely forbid the use of alcohol. It has some beneficial uses for some people. The same can be said for drugs. The problem comes in when either one is abused.

Drunkenness for example, is forbidden. (Proverbs 23:29-35) John the Baptist avoided wine, but our Savior didn't, (Luke 7:33-34) and most of us are familiar with the passage in 1st Timothy 5 where Paul (verse 23) told Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach's sake. That doesn't translate to, "Use a little crystal meth" though, does it? On the other hand, small amounts of morphine for example, are used daily to combat pain for people suffering from sickness and disease.

The habit forming component involved with drugs and their use would indicate that they are a substance which draws one away from God and a godly life, ultimately putting Him on the back burner. Ask a Christian with a formerly life dominating drinking habit if there is any place for booze in their relationship with God. They will generally give you a resounding no.

Talk of wine abuse isn't hard to find in the Bible, and it starts early on. Bad things happened around drunkenness with Noah and with Lot when they were drunk. As a matter of fact, Lot's daughters purposely got him drunk because they new they could get him to commit sin in a drunken state. Time and again in the Bible, the abuse of alcohol is shown as something that causes men to forget any judgmental abilities they might have.

The NIV puts Ephesians 5:18 this way: " Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." You can easily see how the two are contrasted when they are compared. Being filled with wine leads to self-indulgence. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is something else entirely. The Greek word for filled is "pleerousthe," or "pleroo." It represents a satisfied control. When one is filled with the Spirit, one is living a life under His guidance and control. Self-control is one of the very fruits of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-21, 23 and 2nd Timothy 1:7) Living under the abusive influence of alcohol or drugs is to live under the control of those substances, which bring impulses and desires that we ought not to.

1st Corinthians 11:17-34 provides a glimpse into what results when people overdo it where food and booze are concerned. These Paul rebuked for eating and drinking in an unworthy manner. Christians are called by God to live under the control of the Holy Spirit to be instruments for His righteousness, and to present themselves to Him as living sacrifices that are holy, and acceptable to Him. We aren't supposed to be controlled by our appetites.

Abusing alcohol and drugs allows those substances to take control of our bodies, our judgment and our lives. We're to live in submission to the Holy Spirit, for His glorification, and drunkenness, a drugged stupor, or a hyped up existence have no niche anywhere in the Christian's life.