Why Drugs Are to Be Avoided

Father: “Well, I’m glad to hear this. But do you know why this use of drugs is wrong?”

Daughter: “Because we want to please God.”

Father: “Right. As Christians we want to love and serve God with our ‘whole mind,’ as Jesus said we should. (Matt. 22:37) This requires a sound mind, and the Bible exhorts younger men to be ‘sound in mind.’ (Titus 2:2-6) Would a Christian be giving evidence of a sound mind by using drugs to escape from reality?”

Son: “No.”

Father: “And so we want to please God and avoid what would displease him. Did you know that there is a connection between the use of drugs and the practice of spiritism, which God condemns? Now, the Greek worda used in the Bible for ‘practice of spiritism’ or ‘witchcraft’ literally means ‘druggery.’ The use of drugs in spiritistic practices was often coupled with appeals to occult powers. Would you get our copy of The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, Bob?”

Son: “Here it is.”

Father: “Would you turn to Revelation 22:15? Notice that it says that those who are outside God’s favor are those who ‘practice spiritism.’ Now look at the left-hand column where the Greek text appears, along with the word-for-word English translation. Here the Greek word for ‘practice spiritism’ is literally translated ‘druggers.’ So these persons are linked with spiritists and others who lose out on gaining life everlasting because of their bad practices.”

Mother: “The use of drugs and coming under the influence of the demons, then, are closely linked together.”

Father: “Yes, and what have you children observed? Do you find among drug users more than the usual interest in occult things?”

Son: “Yes, they even have books on magic and ESP. Some have Ouija boards and many are interested in astrology.”

Daughter: “But, Dad, if one avoids magical practices, how does the use of drugs lead to demonism?”

Father: “Well, Lucy, not all who use drugs for pleasure are actually demon-possessed. The point to remember is that by trying drugs just once, the mind can be affected, and it may be hard to resist the further use of them. Then, as you continue to make such use of drugs, all sound reasoning can give way to a diseased mental state. This may open the way to demon influence. Here is how the apostle Paul expressed the condition of those who did not hold closely to obedience to God. Read it, Bob, at Romans 1:28.”

Son: “All right. ‘And just as they did not approve of holding God in accurate knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting.’”

Father: “Now, can you really serve Jehovah with your whole heart and with a sound mind if you are ‘high’ on drugs?”

Daughter: “No; how can you, if you’re ‘stoned’ on drugs and open to the influence of the demons?”

“When we associate with worldly people, what Bible principles are we violating?”

Son: “I know, Dad, where the Bible says that ‘bad associations spoil useful habits.’” (1 Cor. 15:33)

Father: “Right. And here, then, is the first important way to safeguard yourselves from drugs: Guard your associations! Why spoil your good habits by associating with kids who use drugs?”