Where In The Bible Will I Find:

Using Drugs Socially Or Recreationally Is Sinful?

The use of drugs distorts the mind of the abuser so that he does not  realize they are destroying him. Those destroying themselves are not only those who are deeply addicted to a drug habit, but also those who practice the "recreational use" of drugs. This includes those who "socially drink" alcoholic beverages. All of it is substance abuse.

Many places in the Scriptures stress soberness as a necessary characteristic of righteous men. Soberness would exclude the use of drugs. One who uses drugs, even "recreationally," is not sober. The apostle Paul instructed the Thessalonians, "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (I Thess. 5:5-6). ,

Those who use drugs are "of the night" Paul says, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:13). He further warned to be sober and vigilant or the devil will get an advantage (5:18). The devil certainly has the advantage over those who use drugs. Paul then tells us to deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts" and to "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:12).

Those who use drugs are not denying themselves worldly lusts, and they are not living soberly. All manner of drunkenness is condemned, whether caused by wine or by any other drug (Eph. 5:18). Drug abuse is related to sorcery, which is condemned. The sorcerer used the drugs to allegedly enhance the well-being of sorcery's idolatrous adherents. Is that very different from the motives of the "recreational use" of drugs now?

Sorcery is condemned in Galatians 5:20; Revelation 21:8; 22:15, and is further stated that sorcerers will have their part in the "Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." Luke writes about the warning of Jesus about drunkenness (Luke 21:34). Peter describes the lifestyle of the drug users "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries" (I Peter 4:1).

Some had become Christians but others still ran to "the same excess of riot." Drug users today are running to the same excess of riot as the sinful Gentiles in Peter's day. Drug use is a form of idolatry because it involves the user depending on his chemical instead of trusting in God. The medicinal use of prescribed drugs are God-given for man's use in curing disease and healing illness. There is a caution given, though, of the abuse of prescription drugs. The same principles that condemn recreational drugs use also condemns the abuse of prescription drugs.