Date: November 12, 2021
Bible Verse:
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV)
Message (Part 1):
I’ve watched a friend’s life take a path that’s all too common today. Let’s call him “Ryan.” Ryan was someone who had a passion for life. He loved his work, stayed active, and had dreams he talked about endlessly. Traveling, starting a business, maybe even learning to cook gourmet meals. But that was before marijuana became his escape.
It started innocently enough. Ryan said he wanted to relax after stressful days, and he loved how marijuana helped him “take the edge off.” At first, it was an occasional thing. But over time, “occasionally” turned into “regularly.” He got his medical marijuana card, which gave him an excuse to use legally.
At first, Ryan seemed fine. He was still fun to be around, still working, still keeping up with life. But slowly, things started to change. His focus began to slip, his energy waned, and his once-bold dreams took a back seat to just “getting through the day.”
Studies show that long-term marijuana use has consequences most people don’t realize. For instance, regular use over five years can lower IQ by an average of 8 points. I saw this happening with Ryan, his sharp wit dulled, and he wasn’t as quick to think things through. But the changes went deeper than that.
Ryan stopped doing the things he loved. He traded hobbies like hiking and photography for sitting at home, zoning out to the latest show. His standards of living shifted too. Once proud of his space, he stopped caring about cleanliness. His meals turned from home-cooked creations to fast food. The things that once gave his life richness fell away, replaced by a cycle of highs and complacency.
And then there was his health. He brushed off the coughs and the lack of motivation, saying it was just part of life. But as his focus faded, so did his care for his body. I saw the lines of morality blur too. Not in huge, obvious ways, but in small, subtle shifts. His sense of right and wrong wasn’t as sharp, and his priorities became harder to understand.
In Part 2, I’ll share how this journey played out for Ryan and explore the deeper impact marijuana had on his life. But for now, I want to leave you with this: Marijuana might promise relaxation or relief, but it often delivers something far more destructive.
Bible Promise:
God calls us to stay sober-minded so we can live fully in His purpose.
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6, NIV)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for opening my eyes to the subtle ways that distractions like marijuana can lead us astray. Help me to stay alert and of sober mind, seeking fulfillment and healing through You alone. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for opening my eyes to the subtle ways that distractions like marijuana can lead us astray. Help me to stay alert and of sober mind, seeking fulfillment and healing through You alone. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.