When I read the trending news about the girls in Indonesia who soak and boil used sanitary pads in water, to get high, I felt that it was too extreme.
I don’t know if everyone felt so disappointed as I was in the news, or maybe they just accepted it as one of those things that happen as a result of creativity and negative association.
I wanted to write on drug abuse, but during my quiet time this morning, I felt I should write about this subject.
Several teenagers must have questions to ask about drug abuse, if they can indulge in the act or avoid the act.
Is drug abuse that extreme?
Why do so many people frown at it?
Will it affect my relationship with God if I indulge in it?
Is it bad for me as a Christian to abuse drugs?
The following are some of the questions teenagers like you have in their minds. However, the good news is that you will understand better at the end of this article.
What is Drug Abuse?
Drug abuse is the misuse of either illegal substances, harmful substances or effective substances. There are a few substances that have been banned in Nigeria because they could be harmful. Examples are marijuana and cannabis.
Drug abuse is wrong. Physically, it does more damage than good to the health of the abuser. It causes several mental illnesses and increases the rate of violence in a society.
Drug abuse is bad, why then do people indulge in the act?
Several people have reasons to back up their act. Earlier this year in April, I had a drug abuse awareness on Twitter and I realized that several people owned their act of drug abuse to their ability to go the extra mile to achieve some result, to get away from shyness, prevent stage fright and lots more.
Drug abuse should not be your route to success.
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.
12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world:
Perhaps you should read the verse 12 again, the grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts which includes drug abuse.
As a Christian teenager, should I indulge in the act?
No.
Note that there is no specific verse of the scriptures that address the act of drug abuse, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will be highlighting a few verses.
Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
What does this mean? The scriptures tell us that we are born of God and we are his sons. We became a son after salvation, and we are expected to be like our father in heaven.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
The scriptures tell us that we are not of the world, we have been redeemed into a new family, so we ought not to be conformed to the world.
Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that yesterday present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.2. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
One of the things that are of the world is the abuse of drugs, and of course, we can only be transformed by the word of God.
Enough of you as a teenager being conformed to the world; you are not of the world, you are different. You are a Royal priesthood, remember? You are the reason Christ came to dwell amidst men on earth, to die for our sins.
My friends tell me there is no big deal in it and I can smoke or abuse drugs as long as I don’t act violently?
To start with, you need to stay away from friends who don’t add anything positive to your life, and you need a good friend who has the fear of God.
1 Corinthians 15:33
Be not deceived: evil communication corrupts good manners.
The question above is a malady, and that is one of the few lies people tell to deceive others.
How should I act when I face temptations from my friends?
- Stay away from such friends
- Study the word of God regularly
- Pray
- Be disciplined
- Talk to your parents, guardian or coach about it.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Our body is his temple. We must take care of this temple and must honor Him with our body too. Abusing drugs is harmful to our health/body.
For those that are addicted to drugs already, we must understand that a fruit of the spirit is SELF CONTROL. Drugs make one lose self-control. It cannot, therefore, be of the spirit.
Addiction of whatever kind is not pleasing to God.
Do you find it difficult to speak to your parents, you can meet a teen coach here, ask a question in the comments or simply send an email. We will respond to you as soon as possible.
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