Drugs are subjects that the Bible does not explicitly address, given its historical context, yet it does offer relevant teachings on the related concepts of self-control, moderation, and sanctity of the human body that can guide a believer’s attitude towards drug use. This field of interpretation has led many religious leaders and scholars to advocate against drug abuse based on fundamental biblical principles. While the Bible does not mention modern illicit substances like cocaine or methamphetamine, it does offer wisdom concerning the misuse of consumables and the harmful results thereof.
What Does the Bible Say About Self-Control?
One of the most recurring themes in the Bible is self-control, a virtue strongly encouraged among believers. It is considered a fruit of the Spirit, suggesting its high magnitude. The connection between self-control and drug use is significant since the crux of drug abuse often lies in a lack of control over one’s urges and actions. Many substances alter a person’s self-discipline and judgement, leading to detrimental consequences that contrast the Bible’s teachings on maintaining a sound mind and strong character.
Why Does the Bible Emphasize Moderation?
The Bible considerably promotes moderation in all things. It repeatedly advises against excess, indulgence and harmful practices that can cause harm to one’s body or mind. By extension, this principle can apply to the use of drugs. Excessive drug use often leads to addiction, a state characterized by a ceaseless desire and dependence on a particular substance, causing mental, physical, and social harm. Through the lens of moderation, the Bible can be interpreted as warning against the threat of drug addiction and the destruction it brings to the individual and their relationships.
Who Does the Bible regard as the Temple of the Holy Spirit?
The body of a believer, according to the Bible, is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures place a premium on respecting and caring for one’s body, considering it holy and valuable. This concept has implications for drugs and substances that have a profound negative impact on a person’s physical wellbeing. Drug abuse can lead to numerous health issues, including but not limited to mental disorders, organ failure, and premature death. Thus, the Bible’s teachings about the worth and sanctity of the human body indirectly speak against harmful drug use.
Where Can We Find the Bible’s Teaching on Good Stewardship?
Good stewardship is another biblical principle that can be linked to the subject of drugs. It entails making wise decisions and taking full responsibility for one’s opportunities, resources, and well-being. When viewed through this perspective, drug abuse can be seen as a violation of the responsibility trusted to each individual over their life and health. Good stewardship, according to the Bible, demands a careful application of wisdom and judgement in all decisions, a principle incompatible with the recklessness and potential harm associated with illicit drug use.
Below is the full list of bible verses on drugs (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Drugs
1 Peter 5:8
“8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
Related Themes: Lust Business Addiction Satan Self-Control
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Lust Health Holiness Omnipresence
Ephesians 5:18
“18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Health Indulgence Self-Control
1 Peter 4:7
“7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
Related Themes: Self-Control Rest Indulgence Holiness
Romans 13:13-14
“13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
Related Themes: Dating Lust Indulgence
Titus 2:1-8
“1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”
Proverbs 20:1
“1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
Related Themes: Holiness Addiction Health Quitting Indulgence
1 Corinthians 3:17
“17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
Related Themes: Holiness Health Church Physical Health
1 Peter 4:1-6
“1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.3 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:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”
Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 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.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
Related Themes: Holiness Holy Spirit Omnipresence Gluttony Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 6:10
“10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Stealing Money Lust Trespassing Quitting
Romans 13:13
“13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”
Related Themes: Dating Lust Indulgence
Hosea 4:11
“11 Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.”
Related Themes: Adultery Self-Control
1 Corinthians 5:11
“11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
Related Themes: Dating Acceptance Money Tolerance Reputation
1 Corinthians 15:33
“33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
Related Themes: Dating Friendship Morals Reputation Morality
Isaiah 5:11
“11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”
Related Themes: Addiction Self-Control Alcoholism
2 Timothy 4:5
“5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
Related Themes: Clear Mind
Revelation 18:23
“23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.”
Related Themes: Magic
1 Corinthians 10:13
“13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Related Themes: Lust Self-Control Addiction Strength Temptation
Galatians 5:21
“21 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.”
Related Themes: Morality Morals Self-Control Adultery Substance Abuse
1 Corinthians 6:19
“19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Lust Health Holiness Omnipresence
1 Corinthians 6:12
“12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
Related Themes: Addiction Technology Freedom Gluttony Sports
1 Corinthians 3:16
“16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
Related Themes: Holiness Holy Spirit Omnipresence Gluttony Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:20
“20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,”
Related Themes: Dating Indulgence Bitterness Strife Magic
James 4:7
“7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Related Themes: Lust Bitterness Addiction Satan Surrender
Revelation 21:8
“8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Related Themes: Hell Abomination Telling The Truth Frustration Adultery
Titus 3:1
“1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”
Psalm 23:1-6
“1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
Related Themes: Criticism Gossip Life Hope Omnipotence
Titus 3:3
“3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.”
Related Themes: Lust Indulgence Bitterness Testimony Envy
