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Yesterday on the blog we introduced a formula to think through ethical issues when the Bible is silent. That formula goes like this:

  • The Bible explicitly prohibits A because of X
  • The Bible is silent on B, but B is a form of X
  • By implicit principle, the Bible prohibits B  

Today let’s try to apply this sort of biblical reasoning to the question of recreational marijuana. Consider the Bible’s clear prohibition of drunkenness:

  • Romans 13:13—Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:11— But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:9-10—Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
  • Galatians 5:19-21—Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
  • 1 Peter 4:3—For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

But why does the Bible condemn drunkenness? How can the story of the Bible help us answer this question? From the beginning God created humanity to reflect His image, to display His glory to the cosmos (Gen. 1:27). Of course Adam and Eve failed miserably, as did the nation of Israel. So God sent His Son to be the perfect image of His glory (John 14:9, Col. 1:15, Heb. 1:3). And now, through Jesus’ death in our place, God has given His people new hearts (Ezekiel 36:26) and has sent His Spirit to dwell within us (1 Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, our lives should be controlled by the Spirit, not by an intoxicating substance.

This connection is clearly seen in Ephesians 5:18, which says “do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” So let’s return to our formula above:

  • The Bible prohibits drunkenness because it is a form of intoxication.
  • The Bible is silent on recreational marijuana usage, but it is a form of intoxication.
  • Therefore, by implicit principle, the Bible prohibits recreational marijuana usage.

What About Marijuana in Moderation?

Now wait just a minute. The Bible clearly prohibits drunkenness, but it does not necessarily prohibit all alcohol consumption. In fact, some Scriptures seem to present alcohol in a positive light:

  • Deuteronomy 7:13—God will bless the new wine of those who obey Him.
  • Deuteronomy 11:14—God will bless the obedient with rain to prosper new wine.
  • Psalm 104:15—God created wine to make people happy.      
  • Proverbs 3:9-10—If you honor God with your tithe your barns will be full of food and your jugs full of wine.        
  • Ecclesiastes 9:7—Eat bread and drink wine with joy, because God is in control.        
  • Isaiah 25:6; Joel 2:19-24; Joel 3:18-21—When Christ returns, God will prepare a feast of food and wine for His people.        
  • Jeremiah 31:12—God will bless His people with good food and wine.         
  • John 2:1-12; 4:46—Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding ceremony in Cana.        
  • I Timothy 5:23—Paul tells Timothy not to drink water, with its many impurities that continually make him sick. Instead, Timothy should drink wine.

We must be clear to affirm that none of these passages contradict what has already been said about the sin of drunkenness. Drunkenness is undeniably sinful. But the Bible does not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Alcohol consumption is not in and of itself condemned.

The intent here is not to argue for or against the moderate consumption of alcohol. There are many reasons why Bible-believing, holiness-pursuing, Jesus-loving Christians may find themselves on either side of this debate. The point here is simply to admit that it is possible to consume small quantities of alcohol without disobeying the Scripture’s clear prohibition against intoxication.

What then about marijuana? Is it possible to indulge in recreational marijuana in moderation? Is it possible to consume small quantities of marijuana without disobeying the Scripture’s clear prohibition against intoxication?  

Come back tomorrow and we’ll answer these questions and more.