God wants everyone to have a good physical life and then, through acceptance of His way, receive eternal life. The connection human beings make with God is through our minds, and Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Keep your heart [mind] with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life."

Righteous character is developed by determining right from wrong. This involves choosing to do what is right and then following through with the proper action. It is a matter of character to choose not to do what is illegal or disrespectful of God and potentially damaging to our health and spiritual well-being.

God permits the use of alcohol in moderation and within legal limits (1 Timothy 5:23)—legal issues being age, driving, location, etc. Christians are not to be “heavy drinkers,” but to be self-controlled and moderate (Titus 1:7-8; 2:3). Moderation means using good sense so as to not come close to becoming drunk. Drunkenness is a sin that can keep a person out of God’s Kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

Drugs are a different story. Because their use, even one time, causes intoxication (similar to the drunkenness and loss of control caused by the excessive intake of alcohol) their use is inappropriate for people who want to honor God.

Many wonder if there is anything wrong with just trying a particular illegal drug once to see what it’s like. There are documented cases of people becoming obsessed with drugs after just one or two times of trying an addictive substance, so a wise person will not take the chance of experimenting even once.

Learning to resist pressures to do what is unwise and wrong is an important part of being a Christian. Advice from the book of Proverbs applying to, specifically young people, but also applicable to us all, instructs, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent” (Proverbs 1:10).

One way to resist negative peer pressure at any age is to spend time with people who don’t tempt us to sin, by choosing the right kind of friends and associates.