1. It’s a fool’s game. The house always
wins. If you believe the lie that drugs
are good for you and for society you’ve been duped. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:18-19, “Do
not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of
this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom
of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.”
Just because many people say it’s right, doesn’t make it right. Mind altering drugs seem like a great idea at
the beginning, but they always lead to detrimental consequences. So don’t play the fool!
2. Investors just want your money. In the spring
of 2016, it became legal for investors outside the state of Oregon to invest in
Oregon marijuana companies. This will
likely fuel the growth of sales in Oregon quite dramatically. Investors are poised, ready and waiting to
take your money away from you by addicting you to pot. The investors are culpable and unscrupulous
in their desire to make money off your addictions.
3. Governments just want your money. In the end,
governments tend to find new and creative ways to fund themselves. It’s a devilish alliance. You get to do whatever sinful behavior you
want, as long as you pay the tax collector.
It’s double jeopardy. They get
your money, and they harm you in the process.
4. The government is not a moral compass. As much as
governments want to do what’s right, in a democracy, the government is subject
to the will of the people. Which means
that if enough people agree to sin, then the government can enshrine that sin
in their laws. Legalizing marijuana is
just such a case.
5. Don’t be drunk with wine. The great
Bible command in Ephesians 5:18 reveals an important Bible principle… Do not allow
your mind to be altered by drugs. Drugs
are an easy road to happiness, with a dead end consequence. The fun is short-lived, and the physical outcomes
can be horrible. The verse continues… “Don’t
be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (NLT).
The solution for true happiness is spiritual and inward, not physical
and chemical.
6. Your health matters. What you put
into your body makes a big difference for long term health. Incorrect use of drugs harms your body. It’s simple.
Which makes a person really wonder why legalizing a mind-altering drug
is a smart idea by a so-called “first-world,” democratic society. The Bible warns in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20… “Do
you not know that your bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom you have received from God? You are
not your own, you were bought at a price.
Therefore, honor God with your body.”
7. Inhaling marijuana smoke is just as bad for
your body as cigarette smoke. Why has our society suddenly deemed marijuana
smoking to be a good choice, while at the same time we’ve been fighting so hard
to curtail carcinogenic cigarette smoking?
It’s nonsense.
8. Marijuana is a gateway drug. Of course,
anyone who uses marijuana will reject this claim. And for many it may not be true. But for others it is true. And it’s true simply because, oftentimes,
where marijuana is used, other drugs are used.
It is a “first choice” when experimenting with drugs, to be followed by
more dangerous choices. But to say that
not everyone takes the next step does not make the first step right.
9. Children and youth will get hurt. The
legalization of marijuana is stated to be only for those who are legal
adults. That sounds nice. But it winks at the truth. The truth is that irresponsible adults can
more easily purchase and sell to minors.
Of course, adults have always solicited kids to buy pot. Now it’s just easier for the adults to get…
and then sell. Making pot legal doesn’t
slow the flow of drugs to kids, it makes it easier.
Pastor Marcus Elmer
West Hills Community Church
(For a personal response to
the legalization of marijuana, please see my article, “Stupid Pot – Why Not Legalize
Marijuana?” at westhillscc.com/pastors-articles
)
