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Question:
I like to smoke a joint every now and then, but my parents don't like it at all. It is also illegal and I don't want to get busted by the cops. Does this mean that I should stop smoking it? What does the Bible have to say about this?
Answer:
In the Biblical argument against the use of marijuana we must
not overlook the placement of Biblical authorities that rest over everyone.
According to the scriptures, there are four authorities that all must be
obedient to: God, the government, pastors, and parents. I shall emphasize the
last three, since the main topic of this writing is obedience to God and His
Word.
On the subject of obedience to the government, the Bible states:
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to EVERY AUTHORITY instituted
among men: whether TO THE KING, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who
are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of
foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for
evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the
brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king (1 Peter 2:13-17).
One of the strongest arguments that I have found against the use of
marijuana is that it is illegal in America, Jamaica, and almost all other
countries in the world. In fact, there has been a recent increase in the legal
penalties for the possession or use of marijuana regardless of medical reasons.
Even Alaska has recently recriminalized marijuana possession. In the New
Testament, Peter urged that Christians submit to all legitimate authorities,
whether or not the persons exercising the authority were believers. "The
recognition of properly constituted authority is necessary for the greatest good
of the largest number of people, and it is necessary to best fulfill the will of
God in the world" (The NIV Study Bible 1891). EVERY AUTHORITY established among
men depends on God for existence (Romans 13:2). Indirectly, when one disobeys a
ruler he disobeys God, who ordained the system of human government. When Peter
wrote "to the king," the emperor was the godless, brutal Nero, who rule from
A.D. 54 to 68. Nero persecuted the Christians like no other king, having them
executed. In fact, as tradition holds, it was Nero that had Peter crucified
upside down, and Paul beheaded. Yet Peter still insists that we obey the
government. In parallel, Paul wrote to the Romans saying: "Everyone must submit
himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that
which God has established. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is
rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring
judgment on themselves."
An equally important authority to which we must
be submissive is our pastor and spiritual leader. The author of the book of
Hebrews states; "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep
watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work
will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you" (Hebrews
13:17). These spiritual leaders can be the greatest examples in a Christian's
life because they have studied the word of God and can challenge others to
"imitate their faith" (Hebrews 13:7b).
Lastly, one must obey his
parents. Although there are a few exceptions, for the most part, parents are
completely against their children smoking Marijuana. In wisdom, King Solomon
wrote of the relationship of obedience between the child and his parents: "My
son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's
teaching....For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the
corrections of discipline are the way to life" (Proverbs 6:20,23).
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