3-Day Bible Reading Plan: “God Wants Us to Control and Care for Our Bodies”
Can Christians use alcohol, marijuana, or tobacco? The answer is “maybe.” We cannot say “yes” to this question because there are ways that Christians should not use these things according to Scripture. We cannot say “no” to this question because there are ways that Christians can use these things according to Scripture. We must answer the question with a “maybe” because there are scriptural principles that both prohibit and permit using alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco. We must also note that we are referring to principles and not direct commands because some of these substances are not mentioned in the Scriptures. - Pastor Paul Crandell, 6/9/24
Day 1
Featured Verse: Ephesians 5:18 - “Do Not Get Drunk with Wine…But Be Filled with the Spirit”
Cross References:
Luke 4:1 - “Jesus, Full of the Holy Spirit”
Acts 6:3 - “Seven Men of Good Repute, Full of the Spirit”
Acts 4:31 - “They Were All Filled with the Holy Spirit and Continued to Speak the Word of God with Boldness”
Reflection:
When we use mind-altering substances, we call the effects being “under the influence.” Scripture tells us not to be under the influence of these substances, but of the Holy Spirit. How might the Holy Spirit’s influence help you to live clean?
Being full of the Spirit is not the same as being drunk with wine. Sadly, many mistake the Spirit’s filling by calling it being “drunk in the Spirit.” There is no such thing, as one of the fruits of the Spirit is self control (Galatians 5:22-23). What can we glean about the true nature of the fullness of the Spirit from our cross-reference Scripture examples?
As believers, we are all indwelt by the Spirit of God, but what does being “filled with the Spirit” mean?
“There is no use in running before you are sent; there is no use in attempting to do God’s work without God’s power. A man working without this unction, a man working without this anointing, a man working without the Holy Ghost upon him, is losing time after all.” - Dwight L. Moody
Day 2
Featured Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - “Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit”
Cross References:
1 Corinthians 3:16 - “Do You Not Know That You are God's Temple and That God's Spirit Dwells in You?”
Psalm 84:1 - “How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place!”
Ephesians 2:22 - “You Also are Being Built Together into a Dwelling Place for God”
Reflection:
The knowledge that our bodies are the temple of God is not a cause for pride, but for humility. If God dwells within us, how should we steward His house?
Paul tells us “we are not our own, we were bought with a price.” How might you treat your body differently knowing it doesn’t belong to you but to Christ?
Christ not only ransomed us from the grave and gave us eternal life upon His cross, He purchased our bodies as well. Our “whole man” now belongs to Jesus. What does this tell you about the world’s notion of “bodily autonomy”?
“God is the builder of it; Christ is the foundation; true believers are the proper materials…the end of their being thus built together is, for an habitation of God through the Spirit…and it being the habitation of God, shows His great grace and condescension, and the great value and regard He has for it.” - John Gill
Day 3
Featured Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:16-18 - “If Anyone is in Christ, He is a New Creation”
Cross References:
Ezekiel 36:26 - “I Will Give You a New Heart”
John 3:3 - “You Must Be Born Again”
1 Peter 1:3 - “He Has Caused Us to be Born Again to a Living Hope”
Reflection:
The new birth gives us a new heart, a new nature, and a new life. How might this knowledge help you overcome addiction and substance abuse?
Many people make excuses for their addictions and sins, saying they were “born this way.” This is precisely why you must be born again. Upon the new birth, we are cleansed and washed in Christ. Paul says, “...and such were some of you” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Armed with this knowledge, what might you pray to ask Christ for victory?
The journey to Heaven is a long battle with the flesh. While we might stumble, we do not succumb. What are some ways you can “put on the armor of God” and go to war against the fiery darts of the enemy? (Ephesians 6:10-18)
“When the Holy Spirit sanctifies believers, He does a complete work in them. He puts into their minds, wills, and hearts a gracious, supernatural principle which fills them with a holy desire to live to God. The whole life and being of holiness lies in this. This is the new creation.” - John Owen