But! There is a verse (I do NOT remember what it is, but I remember reading it and thinking it is a loop hole to Romans 12. It says something about following all laws that we find right with God, and those that we disagree with, do away with. Not even close to an exact quote lol but if it does not break a law of God and we personally do not think it is a just law, we don't necessarily have to follow it.
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J
On the Romans 13 Clause, we are to obey the laws of the land so long as they do not conflict with divine imperative. For example, if I was in Saudi Arabia, it is illegal to evangelize, but I would still evangelize, albiet in private to keep the effectiveness. (My head in a basket of watermelons doesn't help a lot)
The argument that "because it occurs in nature, it's good" is flawed in one serious manner. It ignores the fact that creation is in a state of being fallen. (Gen 3)
The question the OP asks about whether it is a sin for them has several implications.
First and formost, as long as your personal convictions do not conflict with scripture, it is sinful for you. If someone feels convicted as I do about abstaining from Alcohol (despite what the bible says about moderation), for me to use it is a sin.
The argument that "because it occurs in nature, it's good" is flawed in one serious manner. It ignores the fact that creation is in a state of being fallen. (Gen 3)
The question the OP asks about whether it is a sin for them has several implications.
First and formost, as long as your personal convictions do not conflict with scripture, it is sinful for you. If someone feels convicted as I do about abstaining from Alcohol (despite what the bible says about moderation), for me to use it is a sin.
J
I've spent far more time here than I'd planned (haha), but if it means that one young person doesn't have to be scraped up off of the pavement, doesn't go to jail and learn how to become a better criminal while there, doesn't break the hearts of his or her family members out of selfish behaviors, and doesn't affect his/her future by having a criminal history, it will have been worth my time here. I'm thankful that some who've posted here have been protected from these things THUSFAR, and pray from my heart that the Lord will continue to be with you as you grow in Him and surrender behaviors that you know in your heart you should. If you have to hide a thing, no one needs to tell you that it's not a good thing, right? 
peace out <3
peace out <3
Hmm..I guess I didn't address this clearly enough in my first post. I find no scriptures indicating that smoking pot is a sin. I DO find scripture in Romans 12 indicating that it is wrong for a christian to disobey the law of the land established by those God has put in authority unless and until it causes us to disobey the instructions of the Lord in the scriptures (and nowhere did the Lord say it was okay to smoke pot, so I can't see laws forbidding it to be ungodly). I'm saying that it may not be the actual smoking of pot that's exactly the issue when we are talking about whether or not it's a sin, but it is clearly breaking of the law in most circumstances, which we are clearly instructed as christians not to do.
So, again, if it's not illegal where you are and you have an RX for it, you would not be breaking the law, as Romans 12 tells us not to do.
In the event it becomes illegal at some point to smoke cigarettes (which it is for those who are under age in the US), to sleep with men (which is still is in many states in the US), or your dog (which it is; I've seen case law on it), these things also fall under Romans 12.
If you are illegally obtaining and using pot and feel that you are entitled to break the law as Romans 12 instructs us not to, there is nothing more to say except that if you truly felt this to be true you would not feel the admitted need to give it up at some point.
God bless! I've been sitting here far too long
So, again, if it's not illegal where you are and you have an RX for it, you would not be breaking the law, as Romans 12 tells us not to do.
In the event it becomes illegal at some point to smoke cigarettes (which it is for those who are under age in the US), to sleep with men (which is still is in many states in the US), or your dog (which it is; I've seen case law on it), these things also fall under Romans 12.
If you are illegally obtaining and using pot and feel that you are entitled to break the law as Romans 12 instructs us not to, there is nothing more to say except that if you truly felt this to be true you would not feel the admitted need to give it up at some point.
God bless!
I've been sitting here far too long
J
Wisdom dictates that if you explain a thing twice to a reasonably intelligent person and an issue remains, they understand, they simply don't like your answer. I'm not the One telling you that we are supposed to obey those God has put in authority over us. The Word says it:
I Peter 2 v13 Obey all people who have authority in this world. Obey them, because that will make the *Lord happy. Obey the king, who rules everyone. v14 Also obey those officers of the government that the king has chosen to rule you. They *punish people who do wrong things. And they say good words about people who do right things. v15 God wants you to do what is right. Then you will stop silly people, who do not know anything, from saying bad things about you. v16 You are people who are free. But do not think, because of that, that you have the chance to do bad things. Do not think that God will excuse you for bad things. Instead, do those things that God’s servants should do
Rom 13:1,3-4,6 (NIV) Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established... Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing... This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
Jimmy has already made it clear that to obey any law that forbids us to share the gospel would clearly be against the higher commandments that God has given us, and it would, as I have said numerous times already, be an entirely different matter. Having said that, we need to be prepared to pay the penalty for doing so, as many have and do, which is still death in many cases.
I'm not going to chase the jaywalking/pillow strawmen with you, but I will answer the hitchhiking thing because it does actually apply to some things I said earlier. Even within our country's laws there is something called a "reasonable man" standard, which means that what a reasonable man would do in a given situation can be considered in a court of law. It's called the "spirit of the law". Jesus talked about this same thing when He spoke about The Good Samaritan who helped when the Pharisees did not, along with the livestock falling in the ditch thing. This is why I said that if someone has a valid prescription indicating that this is the best medical treatment for their ailment, it would not fall under the scripture (and I do apologize for my chapter 12 typo, it's 13, as posted above). HOWEVER, with all of the medications available to combat anxiety and violent behaviors, I find it very difficult to believe that illegally obtained pot is the only or best answer.
In all sincerity I will be praying for you in your struggles. Peace be with you. Truly.
I Peter 2 v13 Obey all people who have authority in this world. Obey them, because that will make the *Lord happy. Obey the king, who rules everyone. v14 Also obey those officers of the government that the king has chosen to rule you. They *punish people who do wrong things. And they say good words about people who do right things. v15 God wants you to do what is right. Then you will stop silly people, who do not know anything, from saying bad things about you. v16 You are people who are free. But do not think, because of that, that you have the chance to do bad things. Do not think that God will excuse you for bad things. Instead, do those things that God’s servants should do
Rom 13:1,3-4,6 (NIV) Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established... Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing... This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
Jimmy has already made it clear that to obey any law that forbids us to share the gospel would clearly be against the higher commandments that God has given us, and it would, as I have said numerous times already, be an entirely different matter. Having said that, we need to be prepared to pay the penalty for doing so, as many have and do, which is still death in many cases.
I'm not going to chase the jaywalking/pillow strawmen with you, but I will answer the hitchhiking thing because it does actually apply to some things I said earlier. Even within our country's laws there is something called a "reasonable man" standard, which means that what a reasonable man would do in a given situation can be considered in a court of law. It's called the "spirit of the law". Jesus talked about this same thing when He spoke about The Good Samaritan who helped when the Pharisees did not, along with the livestock falling in the ditch thing. This is why I said that if someone has a valid prescription indicating that this is the best medical treatment for their ailment, it would not fall under the scripture (and I do apologize for my chapter 12 typo, it's 13, as posted above). HOWEVER, with all of the medications available to combat anxiety and violent behaviors, I find it very difficult to believe that illegally obtained pot is the only or best answer.
In all sincerity I will be praying for you in your struggles. Peace be with you. Truly.
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Wisdom dictates that if you explain a thing twice to a reasonably intelligent person and an issue remains, they understand, they simply don't like your answer. I'm not the One telling you that we are supposed to obey those God has put in authority over us. The Word says it:
I Peter 2 v13 Obey all people who have authority in this world. Obey them, because that will make the *Lord happy. Obey the king, who rules everyone. v14 Also obey those officers of the government that the king has chosen to rule you. They *punish people who do wrong things. And they say good words about people who do right things. v15 God wants you to do what is right. Then you will stop silly people, who do not know anything, from saying bad things about you. v16 You are people who are free. But do not think, because of that, that you have the chance to do bad things. Do not think that God will excuse you for bad things. Instead, do those things that God’s servants should do
Rom 13:1,3-4,6 (NIV) Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established... Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing... This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
Jimmy has already made it clear that to obey any law that forbids us to share the gospel would clearly be against the higher commandments that God has given us, and it would, as I have said numerous times already, be an entirely different matter. Having said that, we need to be prepared to pay the penalty for doing so, as many have and do, which is still death in many cases.
I'm not going to chase the jaywalking/pillow strawmen with you, but I will answer the hitchhiking thing because it does actually apply to some things I said earlier. Even within our country's laws there is something called a "reasonable man" standard, which means that what a reasonable man would do in a given situation can be considered in a court of law. It's called the "spirit of the law". Jesus talked about this same thing when He spoke about The Good Samaritan who helped when the Pharisees did not, along with the livestock falling in the ditch thing. This is why I said that if someone has a valid prescription indicating that this is the best medical treatment for their ailment, it would not fall under the scripture (and I do apologize for my chapter 12 typo, it's 13, as posted above). HOWEVER, with all of the medications available to combat anxiety and violent behaviors, I find it very difficult to believe that illegally obtained pot is the only or best answer.
In all sincerity I will be praying for you in your struggles. Peace be with you. Truly.
I Peter 2 v13 Obey all people who have authority in this world. Obey them, because that will make the *Lord happy. Obey the king, who rules everyone. v14 Also obey those officers of the government that the king has chosen to rule you. They *punish people who do wrong things. And they say good words about people who do right things. v15 God wants you to do what is right. Then you will stop silly people, who do not know anything, from saying bad things about you. v16 You are people who are free. But do not think, because of that, that you have the chance to do bad things. Do not think that God will excuse you for bad things. Instead, do those things that God’s servants should do
Rom 13:1,3-4,6 (NIV) Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established... Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing... This is why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
Jimmy has already made it clear that to obey any law that forbids us to share the gospel would clearly be against the higher commandments that God has given us, and it would, as I have said numerous times already, be an entirely different matter. Having said that, we need to be prepared to pay the penalty for doing so, as many have and do, which is still death in many cases.
I'm not going to chase the jaywalking/pillow strawmen with you, but I will answer the hitchhiking thing because it does actually apply to some things I said earlier. Even within our country's laws there is something called a "reasonable man" standard, which means that what a reasonable man would do in a given situation can be considered in a court of law. It's called the "spirit of the law". Jesus talked about this same thing when He spoke about The Good Samaritan who helped when the Pharisees did not, along with the livestock falling in the ditch thing. This is why I said that if someone has a valid prescription indicating that this is the best medical treatment for their ailment, it would not fall under the scripture (and I do apologize for my chapter 12 typo, it's 13, as posted above). HOWEVER, with all of the medications available to combat anxiety and violent behaviors, I find it very difficult to believe that illegally obtained pot is the only or best answer.
In all sincerity I will be praying for you in your struggles. Peace be with you. Truly.
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J
I'm glad you have been able to lay it down. I understand your passion, as I am sure you can also understand why I feel as strongly as I do having lived it from my perspective as well and having seen it cause so much damage to so many. However you came to belong to the Lord, I'm so glad that you do. THAT's the most important thing. You look very happy in your pic!
You look very happy in your pic! Jimmy I know what you are saying. However I believe that sinning is in why we do something not what we do. If I do something for the Lords cause its for the Lord. Literally, you can call it what you will. I said earlier and I meant it, I believe that if you go a whole day without wanting to read a scripture in the bible that you have sinned. I believe sinning is anything we do outside of the will of God. When Satan tried to tempt Jesus he didn't try to get him to break the law, he simply tried to get Jesus to do something out of the Fathers will. If you looked at a car today and thought. "man I'd like to have one of those, I think that you sinned." because your focus was for yourself and not for God. If I smoke with the intent to lower my anger that is against God or to bring someone else peace "for whatever reason" if I do it thinking of GOD then it is unto Him and that is my belief. God bless and good night my brother
-16% of all drug treatment admissions are because of marijuana.
-New research finds that marijuana IS addictive (not just psychologically--whatever that means--but truly addictive like herioin or nicotine.)
-Research also shows that marijuana DOES cause cancer, creates damage to the esophogus and lungs, and is not "good for you" like some pro-legalization supporters would like you to believe.
-New research shows that some people have a brain-chemistry predisposition to marijuana addiction (The cannibis chemicals fit so nicely into the brain's endocannibinoid receptors that the person can develop a dependence on the drug soon after beginning to use. This does not happen for everyone, however, but can prove to be a serious problem for some.)
-How can a person know if they will be addicted to marijuana? Well... you have to try it to find out.
-Marijuana does have some medicinal and mental health benefits for SOME PEOPLE with CERTAIN conditions, however, see above for side effects.
-I use to justify my marijuana use like it was my lifeline. It felt like it was, and when my now-husband said "me or the drugs?" I realized that I had a serious problem because I wanted to choose drugs over the person I loved. I didn't realize I had a problem before that moment. It took me a year to really "get clean" (and it was way harder than anything I have ever done.) I have been clean for 4 years and some days are still a struggle.
-Is marijuana a sin? For me, YES. I do not want my children to struggle with such a life-sucking vice like marijuana was to me. Do I miss it? Like a best friend! But my life is so much better without it. And yes, I did "meet with God" when I was high... pot and I shared some really good times, but in the end, God's will for my life won. And, that nasty cough cleared up, my memeory is 1000 times better, I don't have to worry about red eyes when I got into work, and I'm no longer afraid of police. God's way is so much simpler!
-New research finds that marijuana IS addictive (not just psychologically--whatever that means--but truly addictive like herioin or nicotine.)
-Research also shows that marijuana DOES cause cancer, creates damage to the esophogus and lungs, and is not "good for you" like some pro-legalization supporters would like you to believe.
-New research shows that some people have a brain-chemistry predisposition to marijuana addiction (The cannibis chemicals fit so nicely into the brain's endocannibinoid receptors that the person can develop a dependence on the drug soon after beginning to use. This does not happen for everyone, however, but can prove to be a serious problem for some.)
-How can a person know if they will be addicted to marijuana? Well... you have to try it to find out.
-Marijuana does have some medicinal and mental health benefits for SOME PEOPLE with CERTAIN conditions, however, see above for side effects.
-I use to justify my marijuana use like it was my lifeline. It felt like it was, and when my now-husband said "me or the drugs?" I realized that I had a serious problem because I wanted to choose drugs over the person I loved. I didn't realize I had a problem before that moment. It took me a year to really "get clean" (and it was way harder than anything I have ever done.) I have been clean for 4 years and some days are still a struggle.
-Is marijuana a sin? For me, YES. I do not want my children to struggle with such a life-sucking vice like marijuana was to me. Do I miss it? Like a best friend! But my life is so much better without it. And yes, I did "meet with God" when I was high... pot and I shared some really good times, but in the end, God's will for my life won. And, that nasty cough cleared up, my memeory is 1000 times better, I don't have to worry about red eyes when I got into work, and I'm no longer afraid of police. God's way is so much simpler!
I'm not here to argue the good points and bad points. Some studies claim that people who smoke marijuana are less likely to get alzheimers, and coffee is addictive and red meat can cause cancer in the stomach, intestines and colon. Anger causes very many illnesses and stress is claimed to be the number one killer. I guess it all depends on "the whole picture."
no Jimmy, I don't think watching porn and thinking about Jesus is permissable. But if a person came up to me and said, I'm angry all the time, and the bible doesn't make sense, but when I smoke marijuana I calm down and I can listen to my parents better, and then suddenly the words in the bible stand out and mean more to me should I continue to smoke? "If it helps you by all means continue, but use it in moderation as with all things. One day I hope you will be removed enough from yourself that Jesus can truly take hold of your body and you will no longer need anything." good luck and God bless
DeadtoSin I wasn't arguing with you or anyone else. I just thought I'd share some facts that most people aren't aware of, to maybe help EndlessGrace and others make their own desicion about smoking weed. Also my testimony--for what it's worth. I have no judgment for people who smoke. If I did I would be the sinner who cast the first stone.
By the way, coffee is not addictive. I think the "addictive" substance would be the caffeine--and according to the DSM IV it does not meet enough of the criteria to be considered an "addictive" drug. People cannot become chemically dependant on caffiene--and no, withdrawal symptoms do not equal dependence.
Be blessed.
By the way, coffee is not addictive. I think the "addictive" substance would be the caffeine--and according to the DSM IV it does not meet enough of the criteria to be considered an "addictive" drug. People cannot become chemically dependant on caffiene--and no, withdrawal symptoms do not equal dependence.
Be blessed.
A
lol, I don't smoke anymore haha and you are right its the caffeine although I must admit I enjoy a good hot cup of jo that even if it were decaff I could probably get addicted I am however addicted to milk. I could not survive without it.. well I could but it would be painstakingly hard. You stay blessed as well
# and I am sorry for jumping to the immediate assumption it was toward me, I had fallen into defense mode sometime before your comment please forgive me
haha and you are right its the caffeine although I must admit I enjoy a good hot cup of jo that even if it were decaff I could probably get addicted I am however addicted to milk. I could not survive without it.. well I could but it would be painstakingly hard. You stay blessed as well # and I am sorry for jumping to the immediate assumption it was toward me, I had fallen into defense mode sometime before your comment
please forgive me
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A
L
Romans 13:1
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."
So, if you're illegally smoking Marijuana for non-medical use, then yes it is a sin according to this verse. I'm not sure if anybody has brought this up because I haven't read the whole thread, but I thought I'd throw this verse out there.
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."
So, if you're illegally smoking Marijuana for non-medical use, then yes it is a sin according to this verse. I'm not sure if anybody has brought this up because I haven't read the whole thread, but I thought I'd throw this verse out there.