Is marijuana use approved of in the Bible?

Question: On our newsgroup, someone posted up your article on ‘pharmakeia’ and I read it. Then, I went to your site and got your email address for the purpose of writing to you. There was a critic of your work that claimed to leave out the use of drugs by the pharmaceutical industry is deceptive. You…

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Should I use steroids to give me an edge in making the team?

Question: Hey Mr. Hamilton, I hope you are well. In the past, I told you how I would like to walk on at the state university for basketball. I decided that I am going to give it a shot, it has basically become my obsession, all I can think about. One thing that I have…

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Can you pray for my friend who is on drugs?

Question: I’m searching for all the churches of Christ on Google because I’m searching for prayer. My friend is really struggling. He grew up in an atheistic home, and it’s abusive. His parents just yell at him all day long, and they nag a lot. They just tell him everything he is doing wrong and…

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Can I divorce my husband who is a drug addict?

Question: I found out three months after my husband and I got married in 2006 that he had a drug addiction.  He would leave the house for days abandoning my daughter and me and would not answer his phone. Two weeks ago he moved out of state, leaving a note on the bed while I…

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Should anti-depressants be used to help come off of drugs?

Question: Please, can you advise whether it is a good thing or a bad thing to take anti-depressants for a year or two after extensive abuse of drugs such as dagga, ecstasy, and cocaine; or, is it best to allow the brain to heal itself? Answer: I listed out the effects of the three drugs…

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I Will Take Sickness Away from the Midst of You

by Bryan Matthew Dockens The Almighty told Israel, “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you” (Exodus 23:25). Although the Old Testament has been done away with, having been replaced by the New Covenant, it…

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Should I reconcile with my ex-husband who is addicted to marijuana?

Question: Should I reconcile with my ex-husband although he has issues with smoking pot? I divorced him over three years ago and I discovered biblically I was wrong because it was not for adultery. He since then continues to smoke but seems to have changed in other areas. I despise the fact that he smokes…

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Excellent article on drugs

Question: I just read your article on drugs.  Excellent. Particularly timely in light of the epidemic of psychotropic drugs such as Ritalin nicknamed by some the “Cocaine for Kids”.  I have written extensively exposing psychotherapy which creates false diagnoses which then leads to compulsory medication in many cases. [The letter continues at extreme length promoting…

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Legalizing Drugs

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/LegalizingDrugs.mp3 by Jeffrey W, Hamilton Text: James 5:13-18   I.         I heard yet another radio program where the host was arguing for the legalization of drugs.             A.        His main argument was one of many that I have heard: “We losing the war on drugs”             B.        The idea is that we can’t win, so let’s stop the fight of…

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What do you think about a woman who smokes pot while pregnant?

Question: I’m interested in a girl, interested enough to get serious about her. She’s pregnant with another boy’s baby (he dumped her), but that’s all right with me, I’ve made similar mistakes. But she smokes — mostly cigarettes, but sometimes pot. I’m not certain, but I really like her. What do you think? Answer: While…

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How can I serve God when I am so angry at Him?

Question: Again, sincere thanks for your responses. I sense that despite my style, deep frustration, and unfortunately a measure of anger in my effort to understand Christianity, etc. you can see that I am, at least in part, honestly and sincerely seeking answers. If, in fact, the bulk of what you believe is true, my…

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Your explanation of pharmakeia is poor

Question: Your explanation of the Greek word pharmakeia shows poor scholarship. I first heard of the “pharmakeia=drug use= sorcery” argument back in the early 1980s when I was involved with a Christian group. It never seemed right. The following is part of a word study I’ve done. According to “Divry’s English-Greek and Greek-English Dictionary” there are at…

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How do you deal with an addict?

Question: I wanted to know how the church deals with a member who practices self-destruction? The individual is a brother who has so much potential to excel in the church but has demons he is facing (e.g. alcohol). He is full of energy and commitment but had a recent incident that could possibly alienate him…

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People Change

by Donnie V. Rader via Guardian of Truth XL: No. 19, p. 6-7, October 3, 1996 When General Motors came out with the new aerodynamic style Chevy Caprice (1990) I said that I would never have one of those “ugly” things. When cellular phones started getting popular, I thought it was dumb to carry your phone with…

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What do I do with a 20-year-old who continues to lie?

Question: My 20-year-old daughter is a liar. Her pattern of lying has been consistently punished. She knows that she will get caught and punished. From a young age, she has been told that this is unacceptable behavior and the sin nature. She feels it is best to run the risk of getting caught. Her punishments…

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Should a Christian use medicinal drugs that may affect the mind?

Question: Should a Christian use medicinal drugs that may affect the mind? Answer: The Bible teaches Christians to be sound of mind. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). The Greek word translated as “sober” is nepho, which literally means…

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Notes on Drugs

Drugs for Medicinal Purposes See Notes on Medicinal Products Abused Drugs are Illegal Romans 13:1-5 Titus 3:1 I Peter 2:13-14 Drugs Intoxicate the User Matthew 24:45-51 Luke 12:45 Romans 13:12-14 I Corinthians 5:11 I Corinthians 6:9-11 Galatians 5:19-21 Ephesians 5:18 I Thessalonians 5:6-8 Drugs Weaken the Mind’s Ability to Judge and Exercise Self-Control Proverbs 4:23…

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How do I chasten my teenager for using drugs?

Question: How do I chasten my teenager for using drugs? Question: What do I do if I find my teenager is using drugs? Answer: The use of drugs causes numerous problems for the parent as well as the child. Some of what I’m about to write will need to be modified for your particular situation…

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