Question:
What is your creed as regards the use of intoxicants and narcotics? Is it abstinence or temperance?
Answer:
The only “creed” of any Christian should be the Word of God. As regards temperance, all Christians would doubtless agree on this definition: “Moderation in the use of that which is good, and total abstinence from all things hurtful.” Chemistry clearly shows that the nutritious qualities of spirituous and malt liquors of all kinds are practically nil. Common everyday observation shows that their use, “temperate” or otherwise, does not in any way make the user superior to the total abstainer, while, on the other hand, their use is the cause of untold misery. The Bible clearly sets before us two kinds of wine and courses of conduct. Against one we are faithfully warned (Proverbs 23:21, 29-32; Isaiah 5:11, 12; Habakkuk 2:5, 15; Luke 21:34; Ephesians 5:18), while of another wine the Lord permits us to drink (John 2:1-11; 1 Timothy 5:23, et al.). We can not believe that in the above and kindred passages, the Lord meant the same kind of wine in all cases. Indeed, both fermented and unfermented wine was known to the Jews.
In principle, what we have covered above relates to the use of narcotics. For years there have been advocates for their benefit, such as in the case of marijuana. The claim is that there are no reported harmful results with their use. However, it is documented that marijuana smoking is associated with large airway inflammation, increased airway resistance, and lung hyperinflation, and those who smoke marijuana regularly report more symptoms of chronic bronchitis than those who do not smoke.
Using spirituous liquors and narcotics intoxicates and stupefies all the finer sensibilities of the mind and soul. At what limit is their use innocuous? The crucial question of the converted heart is not, “How much may I indulge and still be saved?” but, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” See 1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 14:21.
