Drugs in Scripture – What Does God Say About Them?

I. Are Drugs Mentioned in the Bible?

• While the Bible doesn’t mention modern drugs by name, it does speak clearly about mind-altering substances and the spiritual consequences of using them.
• The Greek word “pharmakeia” (φαρμακεία), found in the New Testament, is key to understanding the biblical view on sorcery, witchcraft, and drug use.

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II. Key Word Study: Pharmakeia

Definition:

• Pharmakeia is the root word of our modern word pharmacy, but in biblical Greek it referred to:
  • The use of drugs, potions, or spells.
  • Sorcery or witchcraft involving mind-altering substances.
  • Drug use IS witchcraft/sorcery and idolatry

Key Verses:

1. Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV)“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery (pharmakeia), enmity, strife… I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
   • Here, pharmakeia is listed as a work of the flesh, associated with rebellion against God.
2. Revelation 9:21 (ESV) “Nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries (pharmakeia) or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
3. Revelation 18:23 (ESV) “…for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery (pharmakeia).”
4. Revelation 21:8 (ESV) “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable… sorcerers (pharmakeus), idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur…”

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III. Biblical Principles Against Drug & Alcohol Use and Abuse

1. Sobriety is God’s Command

• 1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
• Drugs dull discernment and open the door to spiritual deception.

2. Your Body is a Temple – the Temple of the Holy Spirit

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit…? So glorify God in your body.”
• Abusing drugs dishonors the body and invites destruction.

3. Drunkenness and Drug Abuse Are Spiritually Dangerous

• Ephesians 5:18 – “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”
• This applies by extension to any substance that takes control of your mind or behavior.

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IV. Drug Use in the Context of Spiritual Warfare

• Drug abuse isn’t just a physical issue — it’s a spiritual one. The Bible connects drug use (pharmakeia) to the demonic realm, deception, and rebellion.
• People often use drugs to escape pain, but that opens them to false comfort and destructive strongholds.

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V. Hope for the Addicted

• Jesus sets captives free: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”

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VI. Reflection Questions

1. What does the word pharmakeia reveal about how God views drug use?
2. Have you or someone you know ever used drugs as an escape? What did it lead to?
3. How can someone replace the false peace of drugs with the true peace of Christ?
4. How can the church better address addiction as a spiritual issue?

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VII. Please Pray:

Invite God’s Holy Spirit to bring clarity, conviction, and freedom to you and to those bound by addiction or those ministering to the addicted.

Have a blessed rest of your day knowing that God’s given you a way out – forever!