Again, this is not to say that those who use marijuana cannot be Christians. But as we mature as Christians, our focus shifts from defending our rights to pursuing what is best for others. And for some of us, it means engaging in trying to provide wise advice for those who seek direction in the area of marijuana or other drugs. In my observations, I have not found marijuana to be productive in producing a spirituality that leads people to become missionaries for Christ, to become leaders in their local churches, Bible teachers, or strong evangelists. And this is true whether one exists in a country like ours where marijuana in some situations is against the law or whether one exists in a country like Holland or some third-world countries where marijuana use is allowed. Whether there is a cause and effect relationship between the use of marijuana and the leadership drought by those who use marijuana, I cannot definitively say. I simply note, in seeking to provide advice to others on how to mature as Christians, I find no compelling evidence to suggest that marijuana use helps. I do find evidence that those who have given up marijuana have grown thereafter spiritually in remarkable ways. I have listened to their testimonies. Their testimonies provide compelling evidence to me that marijuana use was hindering their spiritual growth. And the goal of the believer is to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Perfect love cast out all fear, those who fear are not perfected in love. Don’t be afraid of cannabis or cannabis users. Fear the heart condition of idolatry no matter what the habit or substance. Anyway…I feel very strongly that God has so much more for His people. He must wonder why we squeeze ourselves into cardboard boxes when His house is big enough for everyone. Christ first.

As for Strong Christian Leaders, again self referential in a similar way. You have picked out your Strong Christian Leaders according to those who agree with you. I maintain that Christians, especially in America, should be ANGRY that fellow citizens lives are ruined for possesing a plant. Instead you Strong Christian leaders turn their eyes away from the poor and oppresed imo. Those are strong Christian leaders imo, not yours. Knowing wht the Bible and the Spirit says on matters like this is the key to unlocking how to deal with these differences in relationship. Jesus didn’t die for us to allow these issues to seperate us. When one side of the issue rests on bogus arguments like: the Bilbles not clear but it’s illegal…well it can be addictive….well it whatever. It cheapens the dialogue. I dont find people who employ those arguments to be strong at all. As for me I am with Paul on this today’s church must be confronted like Peter at the kosher table either Christ make us clean or not…

Second, we are in an age of rebellion against the value of wisdom. Not everything that is dangerous to us is mentioned in Scripture. I realize that for some there is an understandable reaction to the judgmental attitude of some Christians who make mountains out of matters that may not be sin. But the proper response to such attitude is not to remain silent when wisdom would say there is danger. Scripture speaks much about wisdom. If everything was spelled out in Scripture, there would be no need for wisdom. But it is precisely because Scripture is not ultimately a code of dos and don’ts (and I think intentionally so), that wisdom informs the wise in what is good and what is evil. Hebrews 5:14 speaks of those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. There is value in the counsel of wisdom in discerning those matters not expressly addressed by Scripture. And for those who desire wisdom, her voice is not silent. Wise counsel will protect us from that which harms us and will teach us to pursue that which ultimately will benefit us and humanity.

If we do not listen to the wisdom of the wise, we end up doing what is right in our own eyes. Though this may be a virtue in our present culture, it is not a virtue with God (Deuteronomy 12:8).

When I was younger, I did not appreciate this truth as much as I do today. There are struggles I could have avoided if I had listened to the wisdom of my elders. But there are also struggles I have avoided because I listened to wise counsel.

And, if wisdom is made known by her children (Matthew 11:19), then one may look to the lives of those who use marijuana and those who do not as one way of discerning wisdom on the subject. In my observations, there have been those who do not represent Christ on both sides of this matter (users and non-users). But what I have yet to find is a person who personally uses and who also is acknowledged by other strong Christian leaders as a vibrant example of what a Scriptural elder should be. If such people exist, they are rare. I have known many people who have used and when they sought to follow Christ wholly, they were inwardly convicted of their use and gave it up. And I have seen how God has transformed their lives.

None of this is to say that a Christian cannot smoke marijuana. Nor is it to say that all wisdom lies on one side or the other of the debate. But not everything said on the subject is wise. And it seems to me from my own observations, from listening to the various arguments, and wading through the “experts” on both sides of the issue, that wisdom lies in refraining from using for those who are believers.