Children Need Wisdom to Avoid Drugs

Introduction

I. 	Last week an eighteen year old student told of his quitting drugs.
A. 	He had begun when he was about thirteen because those around him were “doing drugs.”
B. 	He started with alcohol, and then went to marijuana, other drugs and was “huffing” spray potpourri.
C. 	A few months ago he ended up in the ditch, both literally and figuratively, in his own vomit.
D. 	It was this awareness that caused him to determine to quit, and he is fortunate to still have the mental ability to do college work.
E. 	He may still face many problems that he would not have had if he had left the drugs alone.
II. 		The Parents’ Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) 	says that about 18% of junior and senior high school students	 	use illegal drugs every month.  (DNJ, 9/27/96, page 7A)
A. 	Nearly 74% of high school seniors using marijuana say they get very high.
B. 	About 36% of high school senior beer drinkers say they get very high on beer.
III. 	Children and youth of today need knowledge about the dangers 	of drugs, but they need wisdom so as to avoid ever becoming 	involved with them.
IV. 	Let us consider the value of wisdom and apply it to the lives of 	both the young and old.

Body
 
 I.  God’s teaching is the source of wisdom.
A. 	Keeping God’s word brings great reward. Ps. 19:7-11.
B. 	Knowing God’s will helps us to hate evil.  Ps. 119:97-104.
C. 	God’s teaching gives light.  Ps. 119:105, 129-130.
D. 	Wise instruction keeps one from the enticement of sinners.  Prov. 1:1-19; 4:10-19.
E. 	Wise teaching is given about wine.  Prov. 20:1; 23:29-35.

II. 	Those who are young need wisdom to avoid the enticement of drugs.  
A. 	Wrong examples must be overcome.  
1. 	Children who see their parents drink beer and other alcoholic beverages, conclude that it is all right for them to use alcohol, marijuana or other drugs.

Children Need Wisdom to Avoid Drugs, page 2.

2. 	Children in school know that some of their friends are using drugs, so they don’t want to be different.
3. 	Alcohol and other drugs are used by numerous characters in movies and on television.
B. 	Those who are controlled by drugs cannot enter the kingdom of  God.  I Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21.
1. 	Sorcery or witchcraft comes from the Greek word from which we get the word pharmacy.
2. 	Sorcery or witchcraft is wrong because of the use of drugs as well as for other action in opposition to God.
3. 	Drunkenness can result from alcohol or other drugs.
4. 	Drunkards are to be excluded from the fellowship of faithful Christians.  I Cor. 5:11.
C. 	Christians are to be sober and thus not under the influence of drugs.  I Thes. 5:4-8; I Pet. 1:13-16.
D. 	Parents, Bible teachers and friends must help those who are young to avoid drugs.
1. 	Begin to teach them while they are young and before they are enticed to use drugs.
2. 	Barry McCaffrey, Clinton’s drug policy director, said that children who are free from drugs say they are not using them “Because I’m fearful of disappointing my parents or fearful of the consequences.”  (DNJ—9/27/96, page 7A)
3. 	This means that parents must take a stand against drug use.

Conclusion

I. 	Drug use among children seems to be increasing.  
II. 	Parents and others must teach them wisdom so they can avoid the use and consequences of drugs.
III. 	Avoid the friends, places and entertainment that will encourage drug use.
IV. 	Be sober and use your life for good and God.  Rom. 12:1-2.
   V.  If you have not obeyed the gospel, do so today!

Prepared by:
	David Arnold
	September 29, 1996