New Identity Magazine

God in focus. World in scope.

  • About
  • Grow
    • Spotlight: In Perspective
    • Growth & Maturity
    • Foundation
    • Practical Application
    • Jargon
  • Connect
    • Community
    • Discovering God
    • God Talk
    • Life Together
  • Live
    • Give Back
    • People
    • Culture & Creativity
    • Careers & Callings
  • Back Issues
  • Write
    • Submit an Article
    • Writer’s Guidelines
    • House Style Guide
    • Content Submissions Agreement
    • Jargon Substitutions
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Contact

Is Smoking Marijuana Against God?

By Cailin Henson Leave a Comment

Marijuana use may be socially accepted by many, but it’s illegal in most states and countries. With such varied laws and public opinion, this leads to some confusion between social acceptance and law. How can something so socially accepted still be illegal? Or even more peculiar, why is something illegal so socially accepted? Is there a Christian perspective? Is smoking marijuana against God? Is it anti-Christian? What about for medical use? What does the Bible say? 

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS   

A Christian perspective on marijuana use may first seem difficult to obtain, as talking about marijuana and Scripture may well be a sort of anachronism. Though the Bible does not expressly forbid the use of marijuana, there was also nothing in the ancient world that can be compared to what marijuana is today – a substance that is consumed individually but with large sociopolitical implications.    

“Nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him unclean,” said Jesus. (Mk. 7:18). “What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean. For from within, out of men’s hearts come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly” (Mk. 7:20-22). Marijuana (the cannabis plant) is not good or bad in itself, but many Christians see the consequences of its consumption as being where the issue lies. 

Affecting motivation          

From the perspective of consumption, marijuana, a relatively mild narcotic, is mostly used for recreational purposes. There are several medical reports about the relative inoffensiveness of the drug compared to other substances or alcohol, and there are even proven benefits in its medical use. But, per one perspective, marijuana is not without damage to an individual’s health and especially to his or her social life. The reasoning is that all Christians are ultimately called to be a part of the body of Christ (the community of believers) in some way. One of the implications of Paul’s discussion on sexual immorality in 1 Corinthians 6, is that when one person makes him or herself impure by fornication, it affects the purity of the entire body, since they are joined as one by the Spirit. In this way, it’s argued that the social consequences of one person’s lack of sobriety can have a larger effect on the community of Christ as a whole. Many see marijuana (as well as some other substances) causing harm to the body of Christ in this way. In addition many view marijuana as resulting in a strong lack of motivation which, in the long run, can affect family, school, work and children. Concerning casual or recreational usage, there is clear medical evidence that marijuana usage impairs, at least temporarily, cognitive function. And 1 Peter 5:8 charges Christians to “Be sober; be on alert.” [LEB] 

Supporting the Drug Trade & The Legality of It All          

Since not all states or countries can legally grow marijuana, the consumption of marijuana often has other implications, basically supporting a system that is profoundly detrimental: the international drug trade and the traffickers that bring violence and fear to people in producing and transit countries and in countless neighborhoods. It could be argued that every time someone lights up a marijuana cigarette, they are empowering a criminal organization. Some may say this is an argument in favor of legalizing marijuana on a national scale. They say that if marijuana were legal, the demand would decrease as people begin to farm it or sell or trade it. How often is there news of organized cartels or violence centered on tobacco farming? But there’s more to it than that. You could say alcohol is legal and it still causes health concerns, affects motivation and has socioeconomic implications if over consumed. To understand the correct perspective about marijuana or any other habit, it’s important to look at the consequences and not just the substance itself – understanding that there are other issues that need to be considered. 

REASONS FOR USAGE 

A Retreat From My Problems          

Some believe the question shouldn’t be is smoking marijuana against God, but rather, why is someone smoking marijuana in the first place? In other words, what led that person to turn to marijuana? Is it to help relax, ease stress, or find relief from an emotional issue they are going through? Does it help or hinder the well-being of that person in the long term? If marijuana is used as a way to avoid a problem or issue, rather than deal with it – this could be hurting the person, instead of helping. God wants us to go to him with our emotional problems or painful past, rather than mask them or avoid them entirely. God can especially work through the body of Christ (other Christians in a church community) to bring healing, freedom and understanding in such areas. In a church community the individual facing the problem doesn’t have to go-it-alone, but can come together with other believers, who through Christ, become a supportive team. This team strives for growth and change, to live a life like Jesus modeled. Some argue that the use of marijuana encourages the avoidance of personal issues and does not help the individual, even if they think it’s helping in the short term. Those that feel this way, desire for the overall betterment of the person, and not just a temporary solution. 

Medical Marijuana To Ease The Pain  

While there is a federal law prohibiting marijuana usage in the United States, there are a number of states that have repealed their own state law in order that marijuana may be used as a medical product for those who are terminally ill. Though many in the scientific community have praised the effects of medical marijuana for pain relief, some wonder whether the use of medical marijuana is a supplement for a reliance of God. They ask what about prayer for medical use or prayer as a pain reliever? Do we discount God’s power to heal or to change our lives? We cannot assume that God won’t heal, but there isn’t a guarantee He will either. It’s a delicate balance of faith and practicality. Most believe that God has provided many amazing cures through medical science and created beneficial plants and herbs that provide remedies for our bodies. And it would be unwise to dismiss these. The argument is not likened to encouraging people to pray for safety rather than use a seat belt, rather it’s more about how we can abuse the blessing or not think of God at all in the process. Do we pray for a headache to go away? Do we evaluate what might be causing it (such a dehydration)? Or do we simply take an aspirin? We need to pray and use what medical options God has made available to us. But since much marijuana use is recreational, those that use it for recreational purposes can’t claim it as a justifiable pain reliever or physical remedy unless they have a prescription for it. Especially for terminal illness, marijuana use may be a legitimate medicinal option for those who reside in states where the plant is legal. 

It’s Natural – So It’s God Approved?          

Some have even argued that since marijuana is an herb then that makes using it permissible and endorsed by God as long as we don’t abuse it. (Genesis 2:5). The argument is that if God created it then it must be good. The scriptures used to support this argument are Gen 1:11 and Gen 1:29. The first scripture is the charge by God for the earth to produce “seed-bearing” plants. The second scripture is the statement by God that He has “given [humankind] every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth…” [LEB] But most say that the “God created it” stance is not a good enough argument to endorse use of marijuana. God also created poison ivy but it does not mean we should rub it all over our bodies. 

CONSCIENCE & BREAKING THE LAW     

One of the scriptures against the use of marijuana, is Paul’s instruction in Romans 13:1-5 to “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” As a Christian this would exclude using marijuana in the United States of America since there is a federal law prohibiting its use.     

If we as Christians didn’t necessarily find it wrong, holding ourselves accountable to the law and being above reproach should be plenty enough of a reason to hold to a higher standard as “lights of the world” (Ephesians 5:8). Whether or not marijuana in itself is against God is debatable, but as a substance that is against the law, we are still subject to the law. It’s important as Christians to be consistent in our honoring of authority. After all, speeding, burning copyrighted music and under-age drinking are all against the law as well. In addition, marijuana, as with other substances, has the potential to lead to acts certainly considered against God (Ephesians 5:11). 

SELF CONTROL: BEING IN YOUR RIGHT MIND     

Paul the apostle wrote: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). Although Paul surely never heard of marijuana, he knew about the effects of wine, another “stimulant” that was used in the Mediterranean world for strengthening bonds, but also with a recreational and escapist purpose, something that had the capacity to disrupt social life, just as it does today. Wine, of course, is not bad in itself and surely Paul could not condemn it —it was, after all, a symbol of the presence of Christ, but in his letter to the Ephesians, he was warning about excessive indulgence and moral relaxation that happens when one crosses a certain line. Wine, in one word, is blessed; drunkards are not.     

It seems fairly clear in the Scriptures as a whole that drunkenness goes hand in hand with sin. And while the Bible does not address marijuana specifically, it can probably be noted that it produces a certain kind of intoxication that could be understood as similar to drunkenness in the biblical sense. Indeed, anything that produces a change in our mental function which causes us not to see clearly seems to be biblically suspect. The only caveat here is that in the Psalms, David speaks of “wine that gladdens the heart of man…” [Ps 104:15] In addition, there are numerous scriptures with the theme of wine as bringing joy or gladness: cf Ps. 4:7; Ecc 9:7; Zech 10:7.     

While it may be the case that consuming wine in the biblical sense can be an occasion for joy, such as during weddings and feasts, the idea of losing control is usually never understood as the right thing. Some say that marijuana is more or less the equivalent of wine for the ancient world: something that is good with moderation, a symbol of blessing, but bad in excess. Others say it depends on the level of intoxication you receive from the substance. Does a glass of wine or a joint of marijuana produce equivalent highs? Some would argue that the consequent “drunkenness” attained by these levels of consumption (a glass or a joint) are very different in practice. Others say that to identify when “drunkenness” occurs from moderate intake is so particular to each individual person, it’s nearly impossible to nail down numerically what a limit might be (as in more than two glasses of wine equals drunkenness, etc.). 

SPIRITUAL VULNERABILITY     

Spiritually speaking, marijuana can open doorways and allow opportunities for spiritual attack (Ephesians 6:12). When we put our minds in a trance-like state, we are not in control. Instead of dizzying our minds, rather it would be better to renew our minds in Christ as it says in Romans 12: 1-2. Apostle Paul writes to the believers in Christ: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (ESV) As people of God, when we stray outside of the will of God into ungodly chatter, matters, and musters, we open ourselves up to Satan’s charms. Some believe that engaging in the smoking of marijuana and even cigarettes can pull us away from God; we should rather strive to be involved in things that edify. Bringing God into focus rather than out of focus. 

BEING A GOOD WITNESS          

Romans 14:19-21 (AMP) says, “So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual up-building (edification and development) of one another. You must not, for the sake of food, undo and break down and destroy the work of God! Everything is indeed [ceremonially] clean and pure, but it is wrong for anyone to hurt the conscience of others or to make them fall by what he eats. The right thing is to eat no meat or drink no wine [at all], or [do anything else] if it makes your brother stumble or hurts his conscience or offends or weakens him.”     

Some argue that to them it’s not even about personal effects of smoking marijuana, but that one should abstain from smoking when it makes others uncomfortable. Current culture has been conditioned that marijuana use is forbidden by Christians, whether or not this is true (apart from legally), the argument still stands that smoking marijuana goes against the conscience of many believers and non-believers alike. Does smoking marijuana offend your family or your friends? Does the habit cause others to question whether or not you are a follower of Christ? Similarly for alcohol, there are some cultures where drinking represents a sinful lifestyle. Whether this is the case or not is a moot point, the perspective is still valid for those who hold it. This would seem to make the argument that drinking a glass of wine with dinner or smoking marijuana from time to time should be done in the privacy of one’s own home – not to pressure others to conform to the habit; make anyone uncomfortable by using it; cause others to stumble because they disagree with it or consider it something to avoid.     

But then one may ask, is smoking marijuana even helpful to our life as a Christ-follower at all? Does it promote better health? Does it bring us closer to God? In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul talks about how as a follower of Christ “all things are permissible for him but not all things are helpful.” What help are we being as living examples of Christ in our world by smoking marijuana? Is smoking marijuana a necessary part of being an example of Christ to those that don’t know him? Or has smoking become a habit to partake in (as are other things), regardless of whether it’s a productive or glorifying use of our time? Has it become an idol (priority above God) in life? In Exodus 34:17, the Lord says, “Do not make any idols.”     

In the end, we should not judge one another on whether we agree or disagree on the topic, as it says in Luke 6:37, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” The text of the Bible provides many reasons to be cautious of marijuana but also no definitive do or don’t (besides when it is illegal), and no single argument is conclusive on its own. Such unclear and complex issues always need to be worked out in faith communities, with the larger church’s historic traditions and doctrines serving as conversation partners and guides. As with all psychoactive substances, there are many questions to ask, whether about legality, health, medicinal purposes, or honoring God, and even more consequences to consider. It’s clearly an issue that needs continued dialogue with other believers.

Photo Credit: Troy Holden | Flickr (CC)
Share with friendsShare on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on Reddit
Reddit
Email to someone
email

Filed Under: Featured, Grow, Spotlight: In Perspective Tagged With: Issue 10

Related Posts

  • Social Media: To Friend or Unfriend?Social Media: To Friend or Unfriend?
  • Ministry 101Ministry 101
  • Making Sense of the ReformationMaking Sense of the Reformation
  • Ready, Set, PrayReady, Set, Pray
  • Walking With World VisionWalking With World Vision
  • What is the Sabbath?What is the Sabbath?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Current Issue

Current Issue

Read Online

Download To Your Tablet to Read in HD

Purchase A Print Copy

newidentitymag

New Identity | Exploring Faith
We're happy to announce that the Fall/Winter 2020 We're happy to announce that the Fall/Winter 2020 Issue is out today! There are some great articles inside that we hope you'll love! Enjoy! 🤗 #linkinbio⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
#newissue #newidentitymag #liveidentified #magazine #kindness #anxiety #waiting #worththewait #mcu #eatableheroes #marvel #godswill
Prayer isn’t about making the things we selfishl Prayer isn’t about making the things we selfishly want happen; it’s about making us want what God wants.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @sarahjoysly in "Prayer - The Alignment of Our Souls With God"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by @maryannkariuki from Pexels⁠
“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it th “The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.” – Haldir⁠
🍁⁠
In Lothlorien, Haldir is encouraging a downcast Fellowship with a glimpse of the larger story in which they find themselves. His words reflect the apostle Paul’s encouragement to the church, that we “do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13). For there is a form of grief from which there is no recovery – one in which there is no resurrection of the dead. If death is the final word, then we must suffer grief without hope, grief that diminishes our love for life because of the crushing weight of the loss we’ve experienced. But Tolkien believed that death was not the end; therefore, we may experience the beautiful juxtaposition in our own lives of deep sorrow mixed with rivers of joy. Instead of crippling us, our grief may actually help to cultivate in our character the virtues of faith, hope, and love that are necessary to continue to carry our heaviest burdens. ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @slimkeman in "Memorable Middle Earth"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
#faithhopelove #lotr #thefellowshipofthering #thelordoftherings #middleearth
The Bible stresses that despite our differences we The Bible stresses that despite our differences we are called to love each other above our political positions. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14). You may feel like how politics and religion intersect in the public sphere communicate the exact opposite of this, and you’d be right. Media outlets report drama and conflict. Gracious and loving political opponents are not newsworthy.⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Matthew Hamilton in "Our Identity In Christ Is Always Greater"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by Lum3n from Pexels⁠
#politics #voting #love #loveyourneighbor #loveyourneighbornotmattertheirpolitics
The trees, with their bark, the skin of the forest The trees, with their bark, the skin of the forest, with its scars and wrinkles, lean toward me, and brush me with their limbs. The leaves beg me to examine their veins. “Have you seen this?” Each different, but each spectacular. The infinite busy creatures. The carpet of green, the dome of blue.⁠
.⁠
A few moments later, I feel like an amazing creature in a world amazingly made. I feel the astounding power of God, where the smallest thing around me, a leaf, an ant, is more complicated, and alive and amazing than anything humanity has ever thought of.⁠
.⁠
Really, there is nothing like it. The author C.S. Lewis noted that the best place to take a non-believing scientist or a real thinker is nature.  Eventually the noise of God in nature is deafening.⁠
.⁠
Once you’re in that place, just a few minutes into your walk, your mouth will hardly be able to keep from pouring out praise to God. It becomes so easy. Connecting to God like that, in praise, as a consequence of observing nature, is so freeing and so empowering that you will return to your office balanced and ready, clear headed and encouraged.⁠
.⁠
The prayer that most blesses God, most blesses the one who prays it. And there is almost no easier way than from within the sanctuary of nature, which itself raises up its branches to him in prayer with every sunrise.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Tom Koel in "Muting The Noise of the World - Deconstructing The Prayer Hike for City Dwellers"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by Lum3n from Pexels⁠
#prayerhike #prayerworks #prayandpraise #prayerwalk #timewithgod #prayerchangesthings #heispraiseworthy #faithjourney
Each person comes to a Bible passage with his own Each person comes to a Bible passage with his own culture, language, and historical understanding. Sometimes we use these to interpret the Bible, but the hard work of bible study requires that you get rid of those things and interpret the passage by allowing it to speak for itself in its own language, cultural context, and historical background. In other words, interpretation is hard work because you are trying to to discover what the passage meant to its (original) audience 2000 years ago (even though we are reading it today). ⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @the_christopherscott in "How Anyone Can Study The Bible"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
#biblestudy #biblestudytools #growingingod #godsword #spendingtimewithgod #biblejournaling #holybible #christianliving #biblescriptures #dailybiblereading
Everything we do should be done for the ultimate e Everything we do should be done for the ultimate enjoyment of God. For instance, our enjoyment of a loving relationship with our spouse is a reflection of our relationship with God, and is therefore something God uses in order for us to better understand his love and how we can love him better.⁠
🌱⁠
This entails that God has given us the Bible as a means to an end. The point of reading the Bible is to come to enjoy God better and more fully. It might seem odd, or even a little sacrilege to think of the Bible as a means to an end. This is because we rightly think of the Bible as holy or sacred. But, it is not God. It is holy and sacred insofar as it is the word of God, given to us so we can better understand who God is. ⁠
🌱⁠
By reading Scripture we learn more about God, his work in the world, his plan for us, and his expectations for us. This is one of the means God has provided for us to enjoy him more. In fact, St. Augustine of Hippo believed that if a Christian could hypothetically enjoy God perfectly in this life, that they would no longer need to read the Bible. Of course because we will not come to love God perfectly in this life, reading, meditating on, and yes, memorizing scripture, will regularly be a source of knowledge that help us to love God more. However, Augustine wants his readers to remember, that knowledge is not the goal for reading the Bible.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Jeffery Porter in "How A Roman Bishop Changed The Way I Read The Bible"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by @ rickyrecap from Pexels⁠
#biblereading #heartknowledge #
People with unbelieving hearts only seek after wha People with unbelieving hearts only seek after what prospers them. Apart from Jesus, we set in motion lives filled with harm, with no hope and no future. A person can only have hope and a future when life is lived out for Christ. We get light through reading the Bible, prayer, and fellowship with other Christians. This light of life can be obtained through an open line of communication with the one who gives it—Jesus. Apart from him, life can appear meaningless. Our purpose in life is to glorify God with who we are and what we have. –Steven Butwell⁠
⁠
"No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others." –Psalm 25:3 NLT⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Steven Butwell in "The Light Christ"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by @fotografierende from Pexels⁠
#hopeinchrist #hope #faith #godsplan #godisgood #hopeinthelord #bethelight #godislove #livinghop #thegospel #godislove #godisfaithful #christianliving #bethelightinthedarkness
What’s your favorite article in the new issue? F What’s your favorite article in the new issue? Follow the link in our bio to read it online or download it free to your tablet. ⁠
Even as God demonstrated love by sending Jesus to Even as God demonstrated love by sending Jesus to die on the cross to take punishment for our sins, God reminded people of the importance of fearing him. God is not only our savior, comforter, and friend who promises to be with us always (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20), but also the most powerful being in the universe. There is a place for the right kind of fear—the reverential awe and respect—in our lives.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Délice Williams in "Fear The Lord?" Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by @emrrekuzu from Pexels⁠
Like the Psalmist, John describes Jesus as God’s Like the Psalmist, John describes Jesus as God’s Word who brings light and life to the darkness. Jesus is God’s Word that comes to us, to those who are dwelling in darkness. In fact, this is exactly what Jesus declares his mission to be in John 12:46: “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” This Light and Darkness imagery pervades the gospel of John. People love darkness because they don’t want their actions, thoughts, motives to be exposed by the light. But the truth is that deep down we need (and want) to be seen. We want to be loved despite our dirtiest deeds and foulest feelings. We need to restore the relationship that Adam and Eve once had with God–complete openness, and deep love–but we can’t do it on our own. Only God can (and did through Jesus) bring that relationship back.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Brandon Hurlbert in "The Light of God's Love"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by Emre Kuzu from Pexels⁠
In John 15:1 Jesus says that God is the gardener a In John 15:1 Jesus says that God is the gardener and he prunes every branch that does not produce fruit. A person stuck in his or her ways of sin is like a prickly shrub growing a lot of branches with no fruit. These branches must be removed so good fruit can grow. In the same way as a bush is unable to prune itself, a person who is living in sin is unable to remove all the unfruitful branches in life. Paul described this condition in chapter seven of Romans when he called himself a wretched man and realized only Jesus can change him.⁠
-⁠
Jesus provides the essential elements for growth; he gives us his Word (the Bible) for fertilizer, other believers for sunshine, and the Holy Spirit for water. When our roots begin to receive this new water, sunshine, and fertilizer, new branches begin to grow. This time the branches are not prickly bushes, but beautiful new branches adorned with the fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self control,” (Galatians 5:22). Our old acquaintances will marvel at who we have become. When we allow God to be the gardener, he will shape us into his design.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Delbert Teachout in "God The Gardener"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by Timothy Grindall from Pexels
As new creations, those who have been forgiven by As new creations, those who have been forgiven by and reconciled to Jesus, we now have the task of being reconciled to each other. As Christians, we are not just called to forgive others in our hearts but keep them at an arm’s length away. No, we are called to be of one heart and one mind (Acts 4:32) with our brothers and sisters—we are called to be reconciled.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: Brandon Hurlbert in "Repairing Broken Bridges"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
We are faced with a challenge: to make God the cen We are faced with a challenge: to make God the center and purpose of our lives in a world of demands. God asks us to listen for his voice, and it’s no wonder why he chose to speak to Elijah in a “still, small voice” in 1 Kings 19:12-13. He doesn’t always shout at us because he wants us to choose to listen, to put other things aside so that all of our focus is towards discerning his will in the specifics of our lives. We have his will for us in general, as communicated in the Bible, which is to make disciples of all nations, to glorify the one true God, to serve no other gods, to love our neighbors as ourselves, etc., but sometimes we need to figure out how those general plans fit the specifics of our lives. Hearing God’s voice is part of how we relate to him, but in those moments of uncertainty, quieting ourselves becomes even more important.⁠
⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @sarahjoysly in "Listening For A Whisper"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by Jara from Pexels⁠
Imagine if every Christian started praying to God Imagine if every Christian started praying to God and asking for him to bless us with gifts of encouragement for the sake of the world around us. The Church would make an immediate impact on the lives of people.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @lukegeraty in "The Gift of Encouragement from the Great Encourager"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by Lum3n from Pexels⁠
Everything sad will come untrue because we are not Everything sad will come untrue because we are not doomed to be forever parted with those we love, nor will our souls simply turn to dust and fade with the memory of those we leave behind.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
.⁠
✍🏽: @slimkeman in "Memorable Middle Earth - Why I'm Always Tolkien In Movie Quotes"  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📷: Photo by Dirk Förster from Flickr
"Remembering God's promises and his faithfulness a "Remembering God's promises and his faithfulness as a community will help us to endure our sorrows for the night, for joy comes in the morning." @slimkeman from his article The Beauty of Community & The Beast of Isolation 🌤 Can you name some of God's promises that keep you encouraged and grounded? We'd love to hear in the comments below - and just maybe it might be the hope someone else is needing right now! 🤗⁠
“Every night I lie in bed, the brightest colors “Every night I lie in bed, the brightest colors fill my head. A million dreams are keepin’ me awake. I think of what the world could be, a vision of the one I see. A million dreams is all it’s gonna take. A million dreams for the world we’re gonna make.” ⁠
⁠
As P.T. Barnum sings these words to Charity in the beautiful montage of their young lives, we are captivated by the hope that they share, the possibilities of their bright future, and the chance of their love overcoming the wall between privilege and poverty that keeps them apart. The Greatest Showman asks us to wrestle with the quest for the holy grail of our modern world: success and happiness. ⁠
What is the good life? If a million of our wildest dreams came true, would we truly be happy?⁠
⁠
In Jesus, we find a man who invites us into his presence with these words: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He is the only one who can fill “the infinite abyss” of desire in our souls. When you have fully devoted yourself and your dreams to your Creator, you will discover that “everything you ever want” and “everything you ever need” is “right here in front of you” in Christ Jesus.⁠
{Steve Limekman}⁠
•⁠
•⁠
•⁠
•⁠
•⁠
✍🏼: by @slimkeman in “The Greatest Showman”  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com by clicking on the link in our bio ⁠
⁠
📸: from newidentitymagazine
Every day in sub-Saharan Africa, one child in ten Every day in sub-Saharan Africa, one child in ten under the age of five dies of a preventable cause, and nearly every day in America eight in ten adults consume coffee. What do these numbers have to do with each other? A lot, according to the One Cup Project, which is using America’s love for coffee to reduce the number of children dying in Africa by converting coffee profits into life-saving aid.⁠
⁠
The One Cup Project started in 2010, when Christian Kar, the founder of an award-winning Seattle-based coffee company, partnered with the Christian humanitarian aid organization, World Vision.Remarkably, every dollar spent on One Cup Coffee generates a dollar of aid for Africa.⁠
⁠
Buy some coffee, put up a post on your Facebook page, ask your church, local café, or workplace to change their coffee, or run a One Cup Fundraiser. In doing so, you just may help hurting people find healing, hope, and life. Change the world for the better, one cup at a time.⁠
{Thame Fuller}⁠
•⁠
•⁠
•⁠
•⁠
•⁠
✍🏼: @thamefuller in “One Cup Project”  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com by clicking on the link in our bio or click on this link to take you directly to the One Cup website: https://onecup.org/our-story/⁠
⁠
📸: by @AftaPuta from Pexels
When someone accepts Jesus, they leave their old p When someone accepts Jesus, they leave their old priorities behind and make Jesus the center of their life. Jesus calls each of us to share the good news with the world. He came to give living water to a thirsty world, and we have the honor and privilege of sharing his message by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39).⁠
⁠
The most important thing you can do is enter each conversation with a posture of prayer. Pray for the person you’re sharing with, that God would open their heart to accept him. Pray that God would give you the words to say. And a loving way to say them.⁠
⁠
Expect God to work in your relationship and use you to share Jesus through your friendship in his own timing. No matter how long you have been a believer, you can share Jesus with the confidence that he is with you and that he will use you for his glory.⁠
{Eric Gulley}⁠
•⁠
•⁠
•⁠
•⁠
•⁠
✍🏼: Eric Gulley in “Sharing Your Faith”  Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com by clicking on the link in our bio ⁠
⁠
📸: by @OliverSjostrom from Pexels
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe

More Articles

IS THERE REALLY FREE WILL?

What is the most important decision you have ever made? I knew a man who decided to go to college after high school. His grades were too low so the college expelled … [Read More...]

OUTSOURCING LOVE

One November day in 2010, much to my surprise and joy, I found a lesson somewhere I thought I’d already learned: Humble beginnings of people with humble hearts … [Read More...]

His Story Our Story: A 31 Day Black History Devotional

One of our own longtime writers, Ramon Mayo has recently published his first book called His Story Our Story: A 31 Day Black History Devotional that highlights some … [Read More...]

Copyright © 2020 New Identity Magazine. All Rights Reserved · Log in