A Christian Rationale for Avoiding Psychoactive Drugs

by Dr. Ed Bulkley

Return to the Word

Many Christians are convinced that psychoactive drugs are as necessary for mental health, as antibiotics and insulin are for physical health. In spite of compelling scientific evidence of potentially damaging side effects, proponents of drug therapy mockingly suggest that Biblical counselors who oppose the casual use of psych-meds are throw-backs to the Dark Ages who would deny anesthesia to those about to undergo surgery.

With that in mind, we need to ask, is there any coherent philosophical rationale for opposing the casual use of psychoactive drugs? Yes there is, and here is a list which may be helpful in explaining your concern to counselees:

Psychoactive drugs may interfere with the guilt/conviction/repentance/restoration process which the Holy Spirit uses to draw God's children back to Himself.
Drugs may numb the conscience so that the believer no longer feels guilty about his sin.
Drugs may help a person to "feel" better, while preventing him from actually becoming better.
A Christian may rely more on the power of the pharmacist than on the power of the Holy Spirit to transform his emotions, temper, attitudes, and actions. In effect, he believes he can purchase sanctification in pill form at the local drug store.
A drug-dependent Christian may not understand the role personal distress can play in producing spiritual and emotional maturity. The Apostle James writes, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4).

It may be worthy of consideration that the term "sorcerers" in Revelation 21:8 is actually the Greek word pharmakeaus and was connected with those who administered spell-giving potions, mind-altering drugs, or poisons. Those involved with such sorcery were strongly condemned. Our term “pharmacist” comes from this same word.

In summary, a Christian rationale for avoiding psychoactive drugs rests on this conviction: any substance which affects the human mind in such a way as to decrease the ability of an individual to exercise his will, self-control, the sense of personal responsibility or to experience the discomfort of guilt as a result of sin, should be avoided in all cases except for the most extreme emergencies.

Broadcast 1/27/2005