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What does the Bible say about doing drugs?

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The Bible warns against drug use that intoxicates, enslaves, harms the body, or weakens sober-minded obedience, and it calls believers to seek freedom and fullness in Christ. Scripture does not name modern drugs directly, but its principles are clear: Christians are to be watchful and self-controlled (1 Peter 5:8), not ruled by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12), and to honor God with their bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Ephesians 5:18 contrasts drunkenness with being filled by the Spirit, while Galatians 5:19-21 warns against sinful works that include drunken excess and related behavior. Yet the gospel offers mercy, forgiveness, and real help in temptation through Christ (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 1 Peter 5:8

    Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19

    Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own,

  • Galatians 5:19-21

    [19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

  • Ephesians 5:18

    Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13

    No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

  • Proverbs 20:1

    Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler; Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

  • Galatians 5:21

    envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

    [19] Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

  • Romans 13:13-14

    [13] Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy. [14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:12

    "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are expedient. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought under the power of anything.

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