J O H N W. M O O R E

EVERY THOUGHT

Nearly every day I hear or read about the war on drugs in our society. Television shows, newscasts, newspapers, commercials, documentaries, schools, and various interest groups are - thankfully - continuing to alert us to the horror and evils of drugs. It seems our society has discovered what the Bible writers knew long ago about warfare - that the warfare to be waged is not against "flesh and blood" (Eph. 6:12) but against anything that keeps us from "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Cor. 10:5)

In the context of 2 Corinthians 10, Paul speaks of a war on drugs. He said we are to cast down everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and which keeps us from thinking purely and obediently. Unwarranted use of drugs (and "yes," alcohol is a drug) prevents one from thinking purely (Phil. 4:8), obediently (2 Cor. 10:5), soberly (1 Pet. 1:13), and like Jesus (Phil. 2:5). It hinders our ability to make vital moral decisions and dupes us into thinking that we are "something when we are not." (Gal. 6:3)

Therefore, if every thought is to be brought under the control of Christ, then we must approve things that are excellent (Phil. 1:10), and abstain from the very appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22) by keeping ourselves drug free. Be "sober, be vigilant" (1 Pet. 5:8) and abstain from drugs "which war against the soul." (1 Pet. 2:11). Remember, "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption . . . ." (Gal. 6:7,8) Corruption in this life and the life to come awaits the person who uses drugs.