May A Christian Use Mind-Altering Drugs?

Apart from their destructive effects, the very fact that most mind-altering drugs are illegal means that a Christian is not permitted to use them. Christians have to obey the law of the land, which in this case includes avoiding illegal drugs (Romans 13:1-3).

Illegal drugs are artificial substances that control moods, excite pleasure sensors, and alleviate anxiety. They substitute for the work of the Holy Spirit, often resulting in a person paying the high price of enslavement for their use. God’s desire is that his children be free from their shackles, embracing the joyful and comforting presence of Jesus Christ in our lives (Romans 13:12-14).

Regrettably, Christians have not been immune to the attraction of resolving anxiety and stress with mood-altering substances. Some have become addicted to drugs and have struggled to get free of their influence. As drug users, these believers are living inconsistently with the calling of God in their lives. God desires their transformation into His image. It breaks His heart to see His children fall prey to the ravages of drug abuse.

God is able to break the power of addiction in an instant, and in some cases, he has done just that. However, he often allows us to suffer the natural consequences of our disobedience, perhaps to bring us to a point where we learn to hate what he hates. While He forgives the struggling Christian, he desires that we overcome the chemical cravings through the appropriate means: professional counseling, detoxification and drug rehabilitation, group accountability, etc. All of these work hand in hand with true prayer and Bible study. God will renew our thinking (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-24) and empower us to live lives free from chemical dependency if we depend only on Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).