My Life and Illegal Drugs -
Lesson 13
One out of two of your friends has taken some sort of illegal drug. Statistics show that over half the people you age have experimented with them. A number of athletes, entertainers, actors and actresses, even government officials, have admitted to illegal use of drugs. You live in an environment where drugs are both acceptable and accessible. When you consider the use of illegal drugs, you should realize what great danger you put your self in, both physically and spiritually. In this lesson, we will look at what these illegal drugs are and why it is wrong to experiment with them.
Some drugs are very beneficial to good health. Those are not part of this study. What we will be concerned with are those drugs that are sold under cover, in dark alleys, in abandoned houses, and run down neighborhoods. Not only does this study deal with marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and the artificially produced chemical drugs, it deals with two of the worst drugs of all: ethyl alcohol and nicotine.
Psychoactive drugs such as narcotics, depressants, stimulants, psychedelics, inhalants are all mind altering substances. Psychoactive drugs are drugs that alter the mind. Drugs that are ingested to alter ones thinking, feelings, and perception directly affect the human brain. Some of the mind-altering drugs being abused are in the following categories.
Narcotics
-- strong pain relief medicines, narcotic analgesics not only relieve pain, they also give the person a very agreeable and euphoric sensation. Such narcotics also induce sleep.
Depressants -- These drugs slow down the central nervous system considerably causing
relaxation, reduction of reaction time, and also produce sleepiness. Alcoholic beverages are in this category.
Stimulants -- These chemical drugs act in reverse to depressants. They speed up the central nervous system and result in the senses being exited. They often produce alertness, nervousness, and excitability.
Psychedelics -- These drugs are also known as "mind expanders." They produce an hallucinogenic effect and affect a person's perception, alertness, and alter the emotional status. They produce actual illusions in a person's mind.
Inhalants -- These are not chemical drugs but have the same effect when inhaled through the lungs. The fumes penetrate the cell linings of the respiratory tract. Such gases as anesthetic gases (nitrous oxide or ether) pass easily through the membranes of the lungs very quickly. They almost instantly get into the blood stream and affect the brain. Along with the
non-drug chemicals are the chemical inhalants such as marijuana and nicotine. Tobacco and marijuana users experience the effects of both drugs almost instantly.
There are several things that make the use of these kinds of drugs wrong.
1. It is wrong to violate the law of the land. "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work" (Titus 3:1). No person under 18 years of age can legally purchase alcohol or tobacco. Even when another purchases it for an under age person, it is a violation of civil law. There is no age limit on the purchase of narcotics and drugs without a prescription from a licensed physician.
2. It is wrong to harm your body. "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Only a doctor really knows what drugs are beneficial to your body, and he knows that under some circumstances drugs can be so very destructive – and doctors are not always right. It is so dangerous to ingest or inhale some substance into your body that could cause you harm that can never be undone.
3. It is wrong to disobey God’s warnings. Paul wrote, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:19-21). We studied this in a previous lesson, but notice in the passage the word "witchcraft." Other translations give it as "sorcery." It is a word that directly bears on the illegal and harmful use of drugs.
The Cambridge Greek New Testament for Schools and Colleges tells us the word for sorcery comes from a word that sounds like "pharmacy." It is the Greek word PHARMAKIA. "The use of drugs not as medicines but as media in magic" or for enchantments is condemned. It is not merely the delving into the dark world of sorcery that is condemned. That which is used to produce hallucinations and "visions" is condemned. The illegal use of drugs is a work of the flesh, and those who do such will not go to heaven.
4. It is incompatible with Christian growth toward maturity. In the last lesson we considered the addition of "self control" to Christian character. These drugs are very addictive. One who is "hooked" on illegal drugs finds self control almost impossible. Ask any "junkie" or ask one who is addicted to tobacco.
There are abundant reasons why you should never let drugs ruin your life. We have touched on just a few, but basically, if you want to be the kind of person who puts God first, who wants heaven as your everlasting home, then nothing should stand in your way.
You and your friends must do more than "Just say no," to drugs. You, as a young person must keep yourselves away from things that will destroy you. Think of how powerful you could be as an influence on your friends. When you refuse to do anything that will harm you body and send your soul to hell, others will admire and praise you.
Questions for Discussion:
1. Please try to explain in your own words the difference in illegal and legal use of drugs.
2. What are some of the reasons why so many people turn to the illegal use of drugs?
3. What kind of drug is alcohol?
4. Define an "addiction."
5. What passage in this lesson specifically condemns the illegal use of drugs?
6. What is there about your body the makes God expect you to keep in as good condition as possible?
7. Explain how self-control and addiction are not compatible. Is it possible to have a little of each? If so, how?
8. Read Acts 4:29. If marijuana is ever legalized, would this passage make it still sinful to use it?
9. Why is alcohol a drug? If you agree it is a drug, why is it not in the same category with marijuna, cocaine, or heroin?
10. List all the things you can think of that you can do and be to destroy the illegal practice of drug abuse.
Fill in the Blanks:
Or do you not know that your _________ is a _________ of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are _________ _________ _________ _________? For you have been bought with a price: therefore _________ _________in your _________.
Please give the Scripture reference