Adversities: Drugs

Mankind has received great blessings and yet also great consternation with the use of drugs. Many drugs are beneficial, saving the lives of millions of people, yet many millions of people are led to miserable lives because of drug abuse. Families are shattered, women are abused, both physically and sexually, and lives are even lost because of the abuse of drugs, some that are considered legal in our society, and others that are still illegal. What, then, should a Christian do about drugs and their use and abuse? Let us examine the different types of drugs available and how the Christian ought to respond to any offers they may receive to try some.

1. "Recreational" Drugs. I am here defining "recreational" drugs as the types that are used generally for recreational purpose, minus alcohol, which will be discussed below. Some of these "recreational" drugs include marijuana, LSD, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, methamphetamines, and there are many others. The vast majority of these drugs are considered illegal even by our own government.

Drugs such as these ought never even be named amongst the brethren, for not only do they violate the commands to preserve the body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), but even run afoul of the laws of the government, which the Christian is commanded to obey in Romans 13:1-5:

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

None of these drugs have proven definitively to bring any form of benefit to the body, but all of them do harm the body, causing excessive loss of brain cells and with many, the weakening of the respiratory system. The use of these drugs has no good purpose, and the Christian ought to stay far away from them.

2. Alcoholic beverages. In the United States, alcoholic beverages are legal, although there are age limits (21 in most states) and alcohol limits for drivers (.08 in most states). The consumption of alcohol may be legal, but often the effects are painful: many of the sexual assaults that are committed in America are alcohol-related in some ways, spouse and child abuse, both physical and sexual, are also often alcohol-related, and hundreds if not thousands are killed every year because of accidents involving a drunk driver. Alcohol for many is also very addictive, and the financial, emotional, and even physical consequences of alcoholism are appalling: families are destroyed beyond repair because of alcoholism, and cirrhosis of the liver is common among alcoholics (and even those who may not be addicted).

The problems that alcohol bring are not new to the world, but are even present in Biblical times. Many sins have been committed with wine as a reason (Noah's uncovering in Genesis 9:21, the incest of Lot's daughters in Genesis 19:33-35), and Solomon speaks of wine (the most often consumed form of alcohol) in negative ways in Proverbs 20:1 and Proverbs 23:30-32:

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.

They that tarry long at the wine; They that go to seek out mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, When it sparkleth in the cup, When it goeth down smoothly: At the last it biteth like a serpent, And stingeth like an adder.

The New Testament also is full of warnings about wine and other alcoholic beverages: deacons are not to drink much of it (1 Timothy 3:8), and drunkenness is condemned as a deed of the flesh in Galatians 5:21. Paul commands us in Romans 13:13:

Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.

It is argued by many that these verses do not prohibit the use of alcohol altogether, but only the excessive consumption thereof. Such argument is beyond the scope of this article, but it must be noted that even if we were to accept the moderate consumption of alcohol on the basis of the time of Christ, we would be forced to dispense with the alcoholic beverages of today: the Roman world did not drink wine as it is sold today, at full strength, but diluted it significantly. The alcoholic content in a glass of wine that would have been drunk in the time of Christ was negligible, and in no way compares to the alcoholic content of one glass today. Further, there is no need for the consumption of alcohol like there would have been in ancient times, where alcohol was effective at killing the germs present in their water. We can drink many beverages without alcohol and also without fear of germs, and because of the ease in which alcohol can be abused, it is best for the Christian to leave it alone, conforming to the message of 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (Note: the Greek word translated as "form" is also translated as "appearance" in many versions):

abstain from every form of evil.

While some good may exist from moderate consumption of wine, the same benefit may be gained from unfermented grape juice and with alternative methods, leaving the Christian no good reason to consume alcohol. It is best to take the advice of Solomon and avoid alcohol as much as possible.

3. Tobacco. The use of tobacco, either smoked or by chewing, is common in America, despite the constant warnings over the past 10-15 years about the health risks caused by its use. Tobacco is legal in the United States, and represents a very wealthy business.

The appeal of tobacco is in the nicotine contained therein; it is this nicotine that is addictive, and the reason why people continue to smoke/chew for many years. There is no evidence that anything in tobacco or nicotine provides health benefits; in fact, only negatives can come from using tobacco: smoking has been directly linked to asthma, emphysema, and lung cancer, and chewing leads to infected gums and cancers of the mouth. Even if one does not feel these consequences of tobacco use, they still suffer from yellowed teeth and a pervasive stench of smoke or chew that does not conform to the cleanliness that should be the mark of a Christian (Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:5). Therefore, having seen that much is to be lost and nothing is to be gained from the use of tobacco, do you think that using it conforms to the message of Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20?

Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.

5. Medical Drugs. By medical drugs, I refer to those drugs both available over-the-counter and those available only by prescription. Most all of these drugs have proven medical benefits, and ought to be used when health problems arise. As with all drugs, however, these medical drugs can be abused, and some of them can prove just as deadly as so-called "recreational" drugs when they are abused. The Christian ought to obey the orders of the doctors and pharmacists when it comes to the use of medical drugs, so that he may be restored to his health without causing harm to his body.

Having seen many of these drugs and the problems they cause, one might wonder why anyone would be induced to use them in the first place. Unfortunately, many people are easily pressured into using drugs, and they then find themselves addicted to them. Others do so in order to "fit in" with a group of friends, or to put forth an appearance. Some do it simply to gain the pleasures derived from doing so-- why would anyone in their right mind set out to drink alcoholic beverages, for instance, in great quantity, when their taste is less than pleasing, in order to get drunk, when more often than not they know that they will be vomiting the next morning? Why would anyone do such a thing, and, more importantly, why would anyone do it again after it happened the first time? The only answer that can be given is that they have given themselves over to the pleasures that supposedly derive from being drunk or being high or whatever they are doing. This type of attitude and activity is exactly what Peter says we ought no longer do in 1 Peter 4:3-4:

For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.

Even though the pressure placed upon you may be strong, if you have named Christ as your Savior and desire to please Him, recognize that the use of drugs (save for medical purposes) ends in great wickedness and unrighteousness, causing great harm physically, emotionally, and spiritually to yourself and those around you. Be strong in the Lord, and endeavor to preserve and keep your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, recognizing that you are not owned by yourself but Christ. Avoid those things that derive no benefit but bring only misery and despair.

Ethan R. Longhenry
May 2007

Dances and the Teenage Christian

We are again in the midst of the spring season, and all kinds of teenagers around the country are getting ready for their school prom. School dances, particularly homecoming and prom, have become American rites of passage for teenagers, and represent a particularly difficult choice for teenagers who strive to obey Christ. Should the teenage Christian have anything to do with such school dances? Let us search the Scriptures and make righteous judgment.

The Scriptures do not speak much of dancing; Jesus uses the idea a couple of times in metaphors in His preaching, but the Scriptures never come out and authorize or condemn dancing. We know, however, that the Scriptures are complete and equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We also know that if we are going to be good and mature Christians, we must train our powers of discernment through constant practice to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:14). Therefore, while the Scriptures may not speak explicitly about dancing, we can surely establish what we ought to do based upon its principles.

Perhaps the best place to seek such advice is within the listing of the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:19-23:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.

The third "work of the flesh" listed is "lasciviousness." Lasciviousness is not a word we use often in modern English; Webster defines the term as:

1. Looseness; irregular indulgence of animal desires; wantonness; lustfulness.
2. Tendency to excite lust, and promote irregular indulgences.

Lascivious behavior, then, is full of lust and tends to excite lust.

We must consider "lasciviousness" in particular because of the purpose of dancing and especially in its modern forms. It is a biological given that teenagers start to become interested in teenagers of the opposite gender in sexual ways, and societies tend to provide teenagers opportunities to interact with other teenagers to see how they all "measure up". In America, this tends to be done by school dances; in Africa, there will often be tribal get-togethers with ritual dancing. According to biologists, dancing is important to this process because it allows a prospective partner to judge the physical strength, fitness, and physique so as to decide whether they want to help pass on such a one's genes. Dancing, then, has always involved the movement of the body so as to render one attractive to the opposite gender. Dancing is therefore a biological impulse to lead to the fulfillment of other biological impulses; in short, dancing exists to promote lust and desire.

While previous generations had dances that were perhaps more "modest" according to modern standards, all stops have been pulled out in school dances today. At school dances across the country, what is being left to the imagination? When such dancing is referred to as "bump 'n grind," what do we think is going on? In large part, modern dancing involves sex-like acts done by (at least somewhat) clothed people while music is playing. If the music was not playing, and the dancers were still dancing in the same way, what would you be thinking that such persons were doing?

The conclusion is hard to avoid: teenage dancing, especially modern teenage dancing, is designed to incite lust. Such dancing can be rightly judged as lascivious behavior, and therefore a work of the flesh akin to Galatians 5:19-21. Consider Paul's warning in verse 21: those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom!

It is recognized that many teenagers have a hard time understanding this conclusion. Many do not see how dancing is lascivious behavior. They think of such dancing in innocent terms. While it is praiseworthy that so many teenagers are innocent in their understanding, for it means that their eyes have not yet been opened, such does not justify the behavior! Eve, before she ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, did not know that she was naked-- she was innocent in terms of lust and shame (Genesis 2:25). Once she ate of that fruit, however, she knew that she was naked and was no longer innocent of lust and shame and felt compelled to cover herself (Genesis 3:7-10). Teenagers, especially those who are sexually pure as they ought to be, are in many ways innocent like Eve. But once the eyes are opened to sex and sexuality, suddenly dancing and what it represents become very clear, just as the nakedness of Eve became clear to her. While many teenagers have difficulties understanding how school dances are lascivious, most twenty-somethings who are married begin to clearly understand how school dances were and are lascivious! We hope and pray that the innocence of teenagers will not compel them to be deceived and do what they ought not!

Many teenagers resent having rules made for them and want to be able to make their own decisions; this is an understandable desire considering that stage of life. Unfortunately, despite their profession of having all knowledge, teenagers often do not fully understand the risks involved in many forms of behavior and are thus hindered from making righteous decisions. Please consider this and be honest: why do you want to go to a school dance, if you desire to? Is your desire based upon a holy impulse, on a study of God's Word, or based on your own desire? From where does this desire come?

It is very easy to determine whether something is good to do: compare it to the fruit of the Spirit: "Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Does the school dance and its activities correlate with any of these? On the other hand, we have made a strong case that school dances promote lust, the definition of "lasciviousness," which is condemned as a work of the flesh. Remember that Galatians 5:21 establishes that "things like these" are also works of the flesh. Consider Galatians 5:24:

And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.

Is this true of you, Christian teenager? Have you crucified the flesh with its lusts? There is no comfort in trying to say that since the Bible does not explicitly condemn dancing that you should go: the Bible is not about telling you every little thing that you cannot do, but provides the way you ought to go and gives you the tools to make the right decision (Hebrews 5:14, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). All the tools at your disposal lead to one conclusion, and one conclusion only.

If your parents have established that you cannot go, then to go is sin (Ephesians 6:1-4). If your parents have given you the opportunity to make your own decision, consider what has been said, and realize that you will stand in judgment for your decision (Romans 14:11-12). You can associate with your classmates at other opportunities. You can engage in alternatives to dances that do not promote lascivious behavior. The only reason that you "have" to go to the prom, or to homecoming, is that you are willing to be led by your fleshly desires and submit to them, when instead you ought to crucify them in Christ.

It is not an easy decision, and it is hard to see all of your friends participate while you do not. Remember, however, that your eternal reward in Heaven will far surpass the difficulty you experience (2 Corinthians 4:17). Judge righteously!

Ethan R. Longhenry
April 2007

Dating

One of the highly charged and significant aspects of teenage and college life is the pursuit of a member of the opposite gender-- the dating and marriage process. This process is designed to lead to the second most important decision that we are called upon to make in life-- whom we will marry. It is good for teens and college students to put much thought into the process.

We have recently received the following request in terms of dating:

I would like to know your view on teen dating. What's a good age? How should we date? Should we date alone? Is kissing a bad idea? Some guys I know don't think dating is good until you are in college, but others say that it's good when you're a teen. So I would like your view on this.

These are very good questions, and are on the minds of many conscientious Christian teenagers as they begin to explore the dating process.

This matter is made difficult for many reasons. First of all, teenagers are called upon to make some pretty important decisions during the time of their lives when they are least prepared to make them. Furthermore, you bear a burden not borne by many of your ancestors: most marriages in the past were arranged in some form, and for a large part of history, marriage was done in the middle to late teen years. Now we choose our marriage partners, and marriage is getting pushed off later and later.

I say all this to say that the Scriptures do not give many direct answers to the questions presented. The Scriptures do give the young man and woman guidance, nevertheless, and they should consider that guidance when making decisions about who to date, when to date, and what to do when dating.

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? For we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Corinthians 6:14-16).

We can derive some important principles from these passages. We must take care to choose whom we would date carefully; we must make sure that we are in no way becoming "unequally yoked" with an unbeliever, and have our good morals corrupted by bad company (1 Corinthians 15:33, 2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Likewise, we must make every effort to flee from fornication-- get away from it as far as we can (1 Corinthians 6:18).

So, then, what about the questions posed earlier? The questions are really not for me to answer, but indeed each and every one of you based on a study of the Scriptures, prayer to God, discussion with any date, and advice from good brethren who have already been there.

What's a good age for dating? That will depend on the individual: when are you ready to handle the emotional responsibility present in having a relationship that may lead to marriage? Are you focused on spiritual things? Have you prepared yourself to begin to strive to be a deacon and then an elder, or a deacon's wife and then an elder's wife (1 Timothy 3:1-12)? Are you ready to start being responsible not only for your own spiritual welfare, but the spiritual welfare of the one whom you are dating? Some people are ready for the beginning of this process as teenagers; others do better to wait until the college years.

How should one date? Should a couple date alone? From what I have been able to perceive, I do not think it ever wise for a young unmarried couple to be alone and unsupervised in any way; no matter how strong their faith may be, temptation will be present (1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:14-15). As to other decisions that are involved, again, that will depend on the people involved. Some people can handle long-distance dating or even prefer long-distance dating; others choose that such is not for them. Some enjoy going out with other couples or more single friends; others may want to be in a public place but not with any other pairs or persons directly. These are decisions that you are called upon to make and to make them informed by the Scriptures and prayer.

What about kissing? There are many differing opinions involved in this matter. If kissing leads to sexual impropriety, kissing should be avoided to avoid fornication. If a couple can kiss and not have it lead to sexual impropriety, there is no condemnation for them. Some people find that having the first kiss be the wedding kiss is very important to them, and that should by all means be respected. Again, you must make a decision based on what you have studied and gained from prayer and communication with the one whom you would date.

I hope that you have gained some benefit from this article, and I would greatly encourage everyone to give great consideration to the dating process. It is important to remember that we ought to date to marry, and remember throughout the entire process that we must consider marriage to be for life (Matthew 19:4-6). Making good, wise, and well-considered decisions now will make for a much happier life later. It is best to take the process very seriously, realizing how much responsibility there is when one works to create a bond for life with another person (Genesis 2:24). Study the Scriptures; pray for wisdom; seek out the advice of your elders. You will not be disappointed.

Ethan R. Longhenry
November 2006