An update to this article (07/20/2022): “Depression ‘is NOT caused by low serotonin levels’: Study casts doubt over widespread use of potent drugs designed to treat chemical imbalance in brain…..Today’s landmark findings call into question society’s ever-growing reliance on antidepressants like Prozac”
The Greek word “pharmakia” literally means “drugs”, and appears five times in the New Testament: in Gal 5:20, Rev 9:21, 18:23, 21:8, and 22:15.
“Pharmakia” is translated into our English Bible as either “witchcraft” or “sorceries”. We also get our English word “pharmacy” from the Greek word “pharmakia”.
In each of the above five passages, “pharmakia”, or “drugs” is listed as a work of the flesh of man as opposed to the Spirit of God working in us.
For example, Gal 5:16-23 in the KJV:
16 “[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft (“pharmakia” or drug use), hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance (self control) : against such there is no law.”
The King James Bible translators translated “pharmakia” as “witchcraft”, because almost no one but witches and sorcerers used drugs 400 years ago. Drugs were most commonly used in pagan worship to hallucinate and to try to get in touch with evil spirits.
This can be serious stuff! In Rev. 21:8, God says that people who are continually characterized by drug use will have no part in the Kingdom of God.
Now many people think that when the New Testament speaks of drug use that it is only talking about Illegal drug use, but I believe it is also speaking of those people who call themselves Christians but are relying on Legal Prescription drugs. Now I am not saying that everyone who has to take prescription drugs are part of the people that the New Testament is talking about here, but I have noticed the prevalent and growing disturbing trend within the church of “Christians using on a regular and continuing basis: mind altering prescription pain killers, anti-depressants, nerve pills , and also other strong prescription drugs that if the taker wanted to, could reduce or eliminate the use of them via their own self control or a life style change.
I have even seen a person who was supposed to be heading up an addictive habit deliverance ministry who had Type 2 diabetes but refused to alter their eating habits but instead chose to rely on an insulin pump to control their sugar levels so the person could eat what they wanted and admittedly said so! Yes there are people who have Type 1 diabetes and it wouldn’t matter if they altered their eating habits, they would still need to take insulin. But if you can control your eating habits but refuse to and have to rely on a drug because of your refusal then that is a sin. Not to mention the damage that too much unnecessary insulin dependence can do to your body over a long period of time. How can you teach others how to be delivered of sinful addictive habits if you refuse to give up one yourself? Many people have the mistaken idea today that they need not bring their flesh under control where they are able to.
But the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27:
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
The Church in America is increasingly populated by people who remain dependent and bound to the addictions of their flesh, and these are not new Christians but Christians who are leaders of others. When you leaders who are still bound to fleshly addictions how can they be a qualified vessel that the Holy Spirit can work through? What we are increasingly seeing is bound up false Christians who think the Holy Spirit is about dancing around the floor and getting a fuzzy feeling inside. They then pass this misconception on to others whom they lead, is it any wonder that there is a lack of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in Churches today?
As it says in James 5:13-15:
Again many people misunderstand what Elder means in this passage. They think well because someone has the official title of Elder or leader in a Church then that person’s prayers will be more effective. But the emphasis here is not on the official position of Elder or Leader, it is the spiritual condition that the Elder was in that determined the effectiveness of their prayer. As in James day to be an Elder meant you were a mature Christian who exhibited the power of the Holy Spirit in your life which meant you were not bound to fleshly addictions.
The sad spiritual condition of the church today is a direct result of the sad spiritual condition of its elders and leaders. And as their spiritual condition worsens so does the Churches.
When you mix, prescription drugs, a heavy emphasis on revelation and experiential and emotion driven religion over Biblical Doctrine and obedience to the word then you wind up with a church ripe for deception and lying spirits. The gateways to satanic influences have been thrown wide open. And that is what we are seeing in churches today.
Read the article in this link it is very disturbing, this type of behavior is coming into the Church, and is why we must test everything via God’s Word and if it doesn’t line up with the word: Reject it:
MANIA The shocking link between psychiatric drugs, suicide, violence and mass murder
Loved this article! If only everyone in the body of Christ had an ear to hear. Keep up the good work!!
Thank God the father in heaven has spoken a message from the holy spirit of TRUTH! I appreciate your boldness to teach what the church today needs to understand. Continue to elaborate on the true meaning of the scripture in the bible so that he that has an ear can hear what the spirit is saying to the church today!
This is a great article. Not many Christians realize that they are dealing with the occult by taking medicine and going to the doctor.
Alternative medicine such as vitamins I believe is also considered the occult if you want to get technical.
Don’t you agree?
Thank you – ginger
Totally agree…… You cannot get to the holy spirit with any type of pharmakia.
The worst is when they try to get it into our food without us knowing!!!
Research MONSANTO
Peace & freedom friend
Truth Warrior
I disagree fully re vitamins. I recovered from pneumonia at least twice, thanks to vitamin C (as I’m allergic most any antibiotic out there), as well as the flu and bronchitis, and with the help of the Lord and much prayer. I prefer to pray, try to eat healthy whenever I can, take basic vitamins that we do not always get in our food, and have been blessed to not even take so much as an aspirin that I find works the best for me, including having overcome pain from car accidents by taking vitamin C and E!
If the vitamins are whole food based and not synthetic they are from food and good nutrition for the body and truly heal the body restoring what is out of balance and lacking due to all the corrupted, GMO, pesticide induced and man made versions of food that change the original DNA to make a profit at the expense of others. The fact Pharma seeks to dominate is a fruit of evil in itself; to deny us the right to heal ourselves with what God made and limit us to only their option is witchcraft alone. I believe only what is synthetic and not coming from whole food is pharma based. Pharma does not heal. They require dependency and are partnered with MOSANTO to dominate. Whole Food Nutrition heals and restores-it is filled with life giving essentials we need that is stolen from us through these companies. The effort to restore what God gave us in the beginning is a fruit that lines up with Jesus and everything He is. Nutrition has to be rebuilt somehow and I was also restored in my health because of it. Precious healing oils are also Biblical: after all they were given to Jesus as gifts. 🙂
In less than a week I have learned we have 9 microbes in our got for every cell we have in the body. When we take antibiotics it can destroy those for up to two years. Be thankful you are allergic to antibiotics.
Food State Vitamins and Minerals are the way God intended them to be, they are not synthetic & man made. One is man made synthetics, one is made from what God put here in a food state form.
The majority of deceases, etc is do the them putting chemicals into our food/water/air, GMO’s, vaccines, and the 25 microns of Mercury you get in the flu-shot, not to mention the depletion of our soil. So the lack of food state (natural) Vitamins and minerals is the big reason why so many are sick, plus all the chemicals.
So no food state Vitamins and Minerals are NOT part of the occult or any part of Pharmekiea.
Now the Synthetic vitamins are man made and are junk.
Wasn’t Luke a doctor?
I would not agree that seeing a doctor or taking medication for certain conditions is occultic.
Nor is taking vitamin supplements. what the article is highlighting is the growing use of mind altering and mood altering prescription drugs on a regular basis.
Western countries have become addicted to these types of drugs.
[…] See this related story: On the Greek word pharmakia […]
I absolutely agree with John, there is a difference between hallucegenic/mind altering drugs etc and medicines used to treat people from physical ailments.
In Ezekiel 47:12, the bible does mention that “Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river… Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for HEALING.”
Concerning medical doctors, Luke who wrote the third gospel and the book of Acts was a physician. Luke is also referred to by Paul as “the beloved physician” in Colossians 4:14. So merely going to the doctor is not indulging in the occult as stated in the 2nd email/comment.
The Lord is the Great Physician, and sometimes he is also using Christian physicians in incredible ways and guiding them through words of knowledge in very complex surgical procedures. Watch the testimony by Dr. David Remedios on http://www.sidroth.org/site/News2?abbr=tv_&page=NewsArticle&id=5900&security=1041&news_iv_ctrl=1189
Luke was a physician, but not one instance is recorded in which Jesus, the disciples, or Paul ever directed the lame to Luke to be healed – Luke never records that he healed anyone either does he?
Jesus is our Healer in the dispensation.
also, Luke, I am sure did not attend a medical school that was bought out by pharmaceutical companies.
another thing, we are never promised physical healing, though it may occur, here and now. our promises are for heaven and the new earth.
also, modern medicine is based on an allopathic model, most natural medicine is too, this is my own take, illness never begins with symptoms (which is what treatments are based on). we have to get to the cause. the same in our Christian life, our symptoms are not the problem, it is a wicked and deceitful heart, you can’t simply treat behaviors and expect to be healed.
and, I agree……..( with the diabetes thing) Christians who KNOW what they themselves through the power of the Holy Spirit, can do to prevent and or help their physical condition, such as not eating certain things, exercise, sunshine, fresh air, REAL FOOD, the use of God given herbs, etc. and they don’t do it, they rely on doctor-god to take care of all of this, prescribe a chemical drug, this is sin, I am convinced and have been guilty of it myself.
people who do nothing but watch television for their information, read the newspaper, and ask doctor what to do, are ignorant…pick up a book! use the brain God gave you!
we are supposed to be set apart
I enjoyed this article also and agree we are all called to be good stewards of our body (temple).
I’ve also had a friend with diabetes (has since passed due to complications from it) and she knew she had not been a good steward of her body. She refused an organ transplant and was on kidney dialysis for a few years before she died. She did not change her eating habits and realized she should have but felt too weak in the flesh to do so. We are called to have compassion though so I do not judge. I do try and education however.
Sheila,
I appreciate your perspective. The Lord has given us the ability to discern these things in order to help people who are broken and humble and know they need to change and want to do what it takes to be saved. If we condemn with our judgements then we are not following Christ. Christ understood that people were condemned already and we must believe that too. Therefore we must seek to love and share truth for we know that the truth of God’s Word by the power of the Holy Spirit will set people free!
I believe there can be a relationship between pharmakia and witchcraft and control and sorcery and powers, but to limit the use of medicinal prescritpions, legal ones, as something akin to idolatry might be accusatory and not what God is after! Of course, each person has to exercise discernment in what are their reasons for using a prescribed legal drug, and some in the faith are weaker or undeveloped and may not know of what it means to be dependent on the Holy Spirit, but Paul was clear about the principle of liberty and the example of eating meat offered unto idols. I would liek to emphasize in finishing, that we do not want to go overboard in our desire to be Godly, but yet we do want His help and be dependent upon Him and be able to give Him glory!
Thank you, Terry, for your spiritually mature commentary on this issue In reading this article and several comments, I felt very condemned, even hopeless concerning my salvation. I’ve been on permanent disability since 1989, due to what began as the 2 lower disks being completely herniated and severe, extensive nerve damage (including but not limited to sciatica) in both legs and feet.
My first (failed) surgery was in 1989, the 2nd in 2000 I had to raise 3 sons nearly all alone, and if it were not for pain medications, I’d have lost them soon after being declared (by the head of neurosurgery at Georgetown U. Hospital in DC.) permanently and totally disabled. I’m 58 now, and am alone most of the time. I now have severe scoliosis, degenerated disks, stenosis, spondylosis, retrolisthesis, and more The stenosis is both lumbar and cervical, which means nerve pain in both legs and feet, and arms, hands and fingers.
I’ve prayed for deliverance, gone through the renouncing of everything suggested in my ancestry, my own sins, etc, and would LOVE it if someone could help me to understand why I can’t stand straight and walk, why I’ve lost 2 1/2 inches in a couple of years, lost a lot of muscle mass, and have prayed, confessed, renounced, etc., til I can think of nothing else to pray. Several people (deliverance ministers) have prayed with me, either in person or on skype/phone.
Still, the need for pain medication torments me. That’s why I came here today. I am thankful that someone here sees that we’re not to go to extremes and condemn everyone who sees a doctor or takes medication because they’re at their wits’ end after going to God for help. Some say it’s for His glory I feel called to help others to be free from such suffering and physical dependence on medications, but I also know that nobody would have faith for me to pray for them with my hunched spine and inability to walk more than a few feet. Thank you for your reason, and obedience to Ruach HaKodesh. Blessings
I totally and completely can relate to what you’ve said in many ways. I feel for you and have much compassion and understand. I have had so many losses in my life,….. I know it has damaged my body in so many ways. I struggled with chemical dependancy,….. I am a Christian, Jesus is my best friend, redeemer. He is my everything….anything good left in me is from Jesus. I just haven’t done very well here on this earth. It’s no excuse,…..but bury your husband and first love……..then bury our only child at only 17 years old……..life has been a struggle for me……but I will believe with all my heart, soul and mind, Jesus lives, loves and forgives me for my sins and shortcomings. Walk in my shoes….then let’s discuss persciption drugs. Help me Holy Spirit to overcome and continue to seek you always. Much love to all.
[…] Also see: On the Greek Word Pharmakia […]
That is Godly and Biblical Terry. The weaker brother cannot do what the stronger one can. I will give credit where it’s due and say that Terry has a mature Christian Holy Spirit answer to this issue.
I have very bad chronic pain and I do rely upon God to take it from me. There are also times where I have to take muscle relaxants to combat the damage done to my neck form 2 car accidents. I would not be here if it were not for depending upon the Lord, believe me my situation of 11 years demands dependence on the Lord.
To John: Thank you for your blog and the good and Godly information I found here.
I am diabetic, due to a physical trauma I received to my pancreas. I take insulin, and it is a constant battle to manage my sugars to keep me healthy. But I pray to the Lord for help and guidance. My doctors have been wonderful, and have helped me to learn how to manage my diet, exercise, and medications, so that my life might be extended. I am thankful to the Lord God, who created me, that I might receive such wonderful care and guidance. I am thankful for the Lord to guide me to this aid. I look to men and women of the medical profession, such as Luke, who have dedicated their careers to the concept of caring for others less fortunate or weaker than themselves. For us to take the time to know our more frail, sickly, even mentally weak brothers and sisters in Christ and help them have hope and the presence of the spirit of God in their lives is Christ-like in nature. I hope that we can agree that to minister to those in physical need is a calling that is appreciated and accepted by all who call Jesus their Lord and Savior.
Chuck,
The intent of the article was not to say that in all cases, the use of drugs/pharmaceuticals was wrong or satanic. The point it is making though, is that in the end times there will be widespread misuse of those drugs/pharmaceuticals. Which is what we are seeing today.
God Bless,
John
This is a very interesting subject. A curse causeless does not come. There are always spiritual roots to all diseases whether it be generational or a direct result of ones disobedience to Gods word or ignorance. My people have gone captive for a lack of knowledge. This could be bondage in a form of dis ease. The Holy Spirit teaches us to lean not on our own understanding and have faith in HIm. NOt to indulge and to do things in moderation. Pharmakia is witchcraft and occultic. Depending and relying on the created thing rather than our creator. God knows our hearts and our every motive. HE is faithful and if we trust HIm and put into practice being obedient He will do it. His intentions from the beginning was not for us to be healed but for us not to be sick. He has provided us a Way to be reconciled to our original state. In fellowship with Him we have hope. Apart from HIm we are destined to perish in the flesh. IF we look closely into Gods Word we will find the answers. Envy and jealousy drieth the bones. this is where our bone marrow is , and this is our immune system. LEt us turn to our creator for our well being. Put into practice anything that we have learned and take our peace. OUr health and prosperity will surely follow. This is faith. And Christians know that anything that is not done out of faith is sin. And there are always consequences behind deliberate sin. Again a merry heart worketh like a medicine. KNow that God has a rememdy for everything so smile and be happy and go and tell someone. HE has this pil that brings Life. It is the gospil. lol God bless
The article was very good. I do have to disagree on a few things however. The word “Pharmakia” has been an interest of mine for a long time and I have looked many times for an accurate translation of the word but have found some rather hazy descriptions of what it may mean.
I spoke about a year ago to a man who was an ancient Greek major in a michigan college. He was also a born again Christian. His interpretation of the word was closer to “healing without repentance” based on his faith in Christ coupled with his knowledge of the Greek language. After surviving cancer that was in stage 4 in 2001-02, I have to agree with him.
This is what I do know: Between 1200ad and 1600ad, the root word “Pharma” was exclusively used to denote medicine. What we call pharmaceuticals. Never the things we call drugs now like marijuana, cocaine and the like. I believe that those who use these substances regularly are covered under the term “drunkard”. Of course, we know drunkards cannot inherit the kingdom either. Nonetheless, the accurate definition of this word is very important because as we assign guilt to those who we know to be addicts, we become blinded to the fact that we ourselves may be committing these “sorceries” by seeking a medical solution to something that The Lord would rather see us seek Him on.
I’m not preaching against doctors or even medicines but when the doctors have a better solution than The Lord Himself in our minds, we are indeed in a great deal of trouble and have been deceived by the comfort that these medicines have provided us or those we know.
I love this information…and I must say, I am Concerned as we all should be.
I have a difficult condition with my neck. After three surgeries, I am left with continued difficulties and great pain. The Doctor has placed me on Oxycontin and Oxycodon. While I must say I don’t like either of these medications due to the obvious side effects. The pain is severe and I am looking into every other program that can help with such a condition. And yes, I pray and I even ask forgiveness for my taking these medications.
The bible talks of a woman who touched Jesus on his garment and was healed. It goes on to tell us she had her problem for many years.
Jesus came to heal the sick. We are sinners saved by grace. It is not by our own doing!
So tell me, whom is more a sinner me, when I am taking a pain medication, to give me some ability to look and work toward a day when I will have no longer this pain. Or the worship leader cutting through traffic and ignoring speed restrictions, only to get to Sunday service on time.??
I don’t think the article infers that as a general rule taking prescription drugs is a sin.
I think what it talks about is how the widespread misuse of Prescription drugs in the last days by those who do not really need them and them being pushed by large corporate pharmaceutical companies onto ever more people is where it is going wrong and through those drugs Satan will deceive and subdue a large part of the population. And we are seeing this today.
People today are put on all sorts of pharmaceutical drugs to treat symptoms after the fact, instead of preventative care and a change in lifestyle to prevent the symptoms and hence the need for pharmaceutical drugs.
The main area I see this happening in and the problem is anti-depressants and mood modifiers. These types of drugs are being prescribed in ever increasing numbers. It has been estimated that roughly 25% of the population is on these types of drugs. Since we are changing from a Christian society based on Christian principles to a secular society where no form of lifestyle is considered “wrong”. Doctors and Psychiatrists cannot prescribe a change in lifestyle. So instead the easy route and politically correct route is mood altering drugs.
These types of drugs remove the ability for a person to follow their conscience. If you have no conscience or realization of sin. Then you can find no wrong in whatever you choose to do. And this is where the mind is opened up to deception and subjugation by Satan.
So I don’t think in many cases it is wrong to take pain medication for chronic pain. Not all pain is a result of sin. And it is not true that in all cases not being healed of pain means a lack of faith.
John 9:2-3:
And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.
I hope that explains it a little better.
Pfizer to Provide Free Lipitor, Viagra, Other Drugs to Jobless
Pfizer Inc. says it will provide 70 of its most widely prescribed prescription drugs — including Lipitor and Viagra — for free to people who have lost their jobs and health insurance.
The world’s biggest drugmaker said Thursday it will give away the medicines for up to a year to Americans who lost jobs since Jan. 1 and have been on the Pfizer drug for three months or more.
The announcement comes amid massive job losses caused by the recession and a campaign in Washington to rein in health care costs and extend coverage. The move could earn Pfizer some goodwill in that debate after long being a target of critics of drug industry prices and sales practices.
The program also likely will help keep those patients loyal to Pfizer brands.
“Everybody knows now a neighbor, a relative who has lost their job and is losing their insurance. People are definitely hurting out there,” Dr. Jorge Puente, Pfizer’s head of pharmaceuticals outside the U.S. and Europe and a champion of the project, told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview Wednesday. “Our aim is to help people bridge this point.”
The idea for the program came just five weeks ago, at a leadership training meeting, as the workers discussed how many patients are struggling, Puente said.
He said he urged top management to approve the program, presenting a recent Associated Press article about how newly uninsured diabetics are suffering serious complications because they can no longer afford the medicines and testing supplies. Approval came quickly.
“It was my idea,” he said. “I floated it, and the reception it got was so dramatic that it very quickly became our idea.”
Colleagues suggested employees could donate to a fund to help support the effort, Puente said. He said some employees had tears in their eyes when discussing how they could help people who had lost jobs.
Officials for New York-based Pfizer said they don’t know how much the program will cost and haven’t put a cap on spending for it.
Applicants will have to sign a statement that they are suffering financial hardship and provide a “pink slip” or similar employer notice. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 31, with medication provided for up to 12 months after approval — or until the person becomes insured again.
Starting Thursday, patients can call a toll-free number, 866-706-2400, to sign up, and those whose drugs are not included in the program will be referred to other company aid programs. Starting July 1, patients can also apply through the Web site, http://www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com, which has information about the other Pfizer aid programs.
Pfizer and the rest of the drug industry are trying to have a voice in the debate over how to overhaul the U.S. health care system, partly by joining in a pledge this week to help hold down inflation of health costs.
“There’s a long-term benefit there, beyond the goodwill and the publicity,” said David Heupel, health care portfolio manager at Thrivent Large Cap Growth Fund. “Pfizer is trying to maintain their (market) share, if not grow their share” by keeping people from switching to generic versions of its drugs to save money.
“If you’re already taking medication that’s working, typically doctors don’t push to change it,” Heupel said.
Pfizer’s program comes at a time when many drugmakers, including Pfizer, have been raising prices on their drugs, partly to offset declines in revenue as the global recession reduces the number of prescriptions people can afford to fill.
The 70-plus drugs covered in the program include several diabetes drugs and some of Pfizer’s top money makers, from cholesterol fighter Lipitor and painkiller Celebrex to fibromyalgia treatment Lyrica and Viagra for impotence. Drugs from several other popular classes such as antibiotics, antidepressants, antifungal treatments, heart mediations, contraceptives and smoking cessation products also are included. Cheaper generic versions are available for quite a few of the drugs.
Pfizer said that from 2004 through 2008, its patient assistance programs helped 5.1 million people get 51 million Pfizer prescriptions for free or at reduced cost, with a total value of $4.8 billion.
http://www.theledger.com/article/20090514/NEWS/905149952/1410?Title=Pfizer-to-Provide-Free-Lipitor-Viagra-Other-Drugs-to-Jobless-
[…] May 15, 2009 by John This goes along with this article: “On The Greek Word Pharmakia” […]
Thank you for providing us this article. It put some light on a subject that concerns us all. Especially for us as Christians, who believe in Jesus as our Savior, and that he died for our sins and is now at the Fathers right hand. We some times forget there is a Heaven and a Hell. Satin comes to kill steal and destroy. And when it comes to subjects like medical and medicines. We are easily deceived and while I sure would like to have a miracle touch of healing, I would prefer to have a long eternal life with all of us in heaven! So lets remember to pray for one another and seek God for instruction and understanding, and to keep us. This article reminds us that the enemy is alive and working hard to deceive and destroy Christians and to keep us from telling these truths to the world. Thank you for the insight and the comments they are greatly appreciated.
I’ve read many of the comments regarding prescription pain and mind altering drugs. It’s a fine line between Dr. prescribed drugs and believing for healing and cures. I have suffered from COPD (since birth), arthritis of the back as I had a severe car accident several years ago which caused severe neck and back injury. Currently I’m on nine prescription drugs because of the use of these drugs for so long my Dr.s are noticing other organ’s other than the one’s my drugs are intended for, have been damaged. My Dr.s are currently suggest strongly the medical use of marijuana. Because I’m a strong Christian, I’m having a difficult time “following their suggestion”. I have read up on all the medical vs Biblical – Christian views on this that I could find. Any suggestions as the article didn’t specifically mention the pro’s or con’s on this. Does this specifically fall under the term “witchcraft”?
[…] August 4, 2009 by John see this article: On the Greek Word Pharmakia […]
I found this article as I was researching “pharmakia”. It goes right along with what I have been learning. I wonder whether there was any help for Freeatlast…
I have struggled with the issue of when doctor/medicine help is required, and believe that the lines are hazy enough we shouldn’t judge one another for going this route – and this page has explained well, in my opinion, that the judgment is concerning misuse and lazy dependency on pharmaceuticals and not on seeking professional medical help.
Here are two other examples from Scripture for consideration:
When Egypt turned against Israel, so that Pharaoh commanded the midwives to kill the baby boys as they were being born, the midwives answered that the Hebrew women, unlike the Egyptian women, gave birth before the midwives actually arrived [so that theirs was a post-birth assistance]. My studies and experience over the years suggest that this is literal and not a lie which the women fabricated entirely, because the Hebrew women, as slaves, ate a more natural diet and were in much better physical shape than the Egyptians. As far as I can tell, the well-to-do of each society has feasted on delicacies that Americans commonly indulge in today, such as refined sugars and flours. Perhaps diet and true-life exercise matter after all!
Also, Dt. 29:29 says that the secret things belong to the LORD. Granted, the specific reference is to great spiritual mysteries which He has not revealed, but could it not also refer to the inner workings of our body, forbidding exploratory surgery? Now there is a question for debate, and though I would enjoy a discussion on it, I hope that it will remain as non-judgmental as the above discussion was able to be!
[…] also see: On The Greek Word Pharmakia and: […]
Great subject, it is important for us the Glory of God. He his nothing like us. The bible says that He holds the Universe in His hand. Through His word, everything was created. At conception when the sperm meets the egg, nothing is telling them what to do. Their is an innate intelligence that guides them and only after a few weeks those two cells have divided by millions. The first system to develop is our nervous system by week 4. Scientist believe that this inborn intelligence that God provided is stored within it at the level of the brainstem. Every living thing that has a nervous system have the brainstem in common, it’s in the bird, it’s in you, it’s in me. The hole at the base of the skull is named by ancient greek word; Foramen Magnum, which means Mouth of God. Science have shown that their is more than 70 trillions nerve fibers and mental impulse going through this hole every single seconds. In your body, 25 millions cells die every second, it’s the entire population of Canada every second. Some believe that the power that made your body and that runs it over 100 years is the equivalent of intelligence that is required to run the entire Universe. Oh!!! How Great is our God. The word Physician used in the bible actually Healer, not medical doctor!! hahaha Healing comes from Above Down Inside & Out (ADIO). God has a plan for every one of us. Moses that lived 120 years did die from old age. We have not been made to be cut into pieces and remove gallbladders or tonsils……. We have the ability to heal ourselves, we only need no interference to our nervous system so the innate intelligence in us can flow from Above Down Inside Out. By doing so, blood will have access to every cell in your body and you nervous system will regulate every cells. Life is in the blood and Eternal Life is in the Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. I pray that every one that have eyes to read will understand. In Jesus name, AMEN
So true John.
Years ago, my wife and I met a Christian couple at a Church meeting, and the wife of that couple had been on anti-depressants for years. Since they had renovations to do to their home, my wife and I spent week-ends at their house during the works.
While the brother and I worked on the house, my wife started to share some new songs with the sister, and after supper we took some time in praise and Bible reading. Within three weeks her doctor took her off her pills. She would praise the Lord at Church meetings for He had set her free atlast, and also praised the Lord because we’ve met !
The pastor their was jalous of all of this and forbide them to meet with us anymore, since our meetings were not approuved by the elders or himself. We had to stop our meeting together. The pastor encourraged her to go back to seek for pills. She refused. The pastor told her son (who was not saved by Grace) about the fact his mother was not taking pills anymore and together they’ve manage to call an ambulance and have her taken to the hospital. We never saw her after that cause we changed church because of that story. So sad but thank God, we know He takes good care of our sister….
I wish more Chrisitians here in Quebec (Canada) would read this great article. I allways said since the begining of my new life : at least in English they call “drugsotres” by the proper name since they sell and promote drugs. In French they are just called “pharmacies”.
“The pastor their was jalous of all of this and forbide them to meet with us anymore, since our meetings were not approuved by the elders or himself.”
It is very sad but there are Pharisee’s today! This is one of the greatest destroyers of faith in individuals when you have pastors such as this. They crave power more than the move of God wherever it may come from!
God Bless you and thank you for this wonderful story. I pray that she is still anitdepressent free and rejoicing in Christ!
John
True Discernment
[…] New Testament Greek word for Witchcraft: “Pharmakia“, is meant to reference drugs, and, for the time period, would be our equivalent of conjuring […]
There are drugs that are evil that Satan inspired to make and there are medicines that GOD made (E.g. from plants, herbs, etc) … Our bodies are the temples of The Holy Spirit …. Clearly any drug that destroys our bodies and causes us to sin is evil and wrong … hyssop was used to kill pain in The holy Bible … synthetic (man-made) illegal street drugs are clearly destructive and evil and GOD has no part in them at all. Sometimes we must get a tetanus shot if you step on a rusty nail, or a penicillin shot for strep throat, or blood pressure medicine until we may find a better natural alternative. Vitamins and supplements that help us are good, not evil. Why must we take them? because we clearly do not get all the vitamins and minerals we need on a daily basis because of the nutrient stripped foods. The healthiest people who ever lived were and are the Israelites. The Makers Diet. Everything can be used for good or evil. Anything in excess is abuse. Too much honey will make you sick. Take what you must (but not excessively) that helps you, and keep pressing into The Lord for healing and deliverance, until The Lord heals and delivers.
We can stop nothing on our own, for without The Lord’s help we can do nothing at all. Trust in His Amazing Grace and Love to heal and set us free, In Jesus Name, Amen!
What do you say about pharmacists who are sincerely seeking the Lord and have started a walk to totally submit themselves to Christ in righteousness and holiness?
Princess,
I do not believe the article suggests that ALL Pharmaceuticals are bad. I think the intent of the article is to point out the danger of mood altering pharmaceuticals that short circuit the ability of the mind to think rationally and depresses the operation of emotions and the conscience which alerts us to what is right and what is wrong.
These types of drugs can open gateways for demonic attacks and possession, and prevent our mind from understanding right and wrong.
And as we are seeing in our modern society these prescription drugs are being abused more and more and are being prescribed more and more by the Medical profession to treat symptoms instead of the root causes of depression, anxiety etc.
We increasingly live in a world where doctors are not allowed to say that a certain behavior or lifestyle is wrong or destructive and is causing either depression, anxiety, Bi-Polar Disorder etc, so instead people are treated with mood altering drugs to suppress the affects of wrong lifestyles etc.
When you suppress the distresss caused by wrong lifesytles, you make the mind unable to recognize and accept the truth!
When we recognize the Truth and accept it then we can be set on the pathway to be trully healed of whatever ails us!
I found this article while looking for the information on the term pharmakia in the Bible and finding where the explanations on it might be. I have a very interesting story, and because of my story, I have been doing research on the vaccine industry. A Dr Rebecca Carly has a video called the weapons of mass destruction and explains how the vaccines work–thus poisoning the body on many different levels, including using the term ‘cannabalism’ to explain how the injection of ‘aborted baby cell tissue’ into another living persons body is a form of cannabalism (which is definitely not of God). I have Christian friends who believe that these wonderful poisonous inventions are beneficial have saved many children and even been placed here by God to assist us–what a wonderful invention, right? Well when my daughter started very ill with respiratory infections and severe allergies, I learned from a nutritionist and chiropractor that this is her liver not detoxing ‘toxins’ fast enough–where do the toxins come from? Vaccines–and I have been so ashamed I didn’t do my homework sooner. Well, back to ‘my’ story–I suffered from depression for many years and faithfully took my pills to assist me, but kept getting worse even in the face of seemingly getting better. I ended up having a revelation one day in church as I sobbed and sobbed and repented of being a sugar addict. Within a couple weeks a chiropractor predicted a serious digestive problem as being a key cause to my depression. Within a couple of months later?–I went to a seminar (another chiropractor Dr Daniel Pompa) where I learned about mercury poisoning from amalgam fillings and after seeing a nutritionist for a couple months decided to go off my meds and work on my diet and detox. See? I now know that a majority of this depression that is out there, is more than likely ‘diet’ or ‘poisoning’ related and not something we necessarily require pills for. I just wanted more research as I don’t quite know how to take a proper stand from a ‘Biblical’ or Godly perspective?? Just thought I’d share and see what may come up for someone.
Doree,
I came upon this as I am looking into pharmakeia now and verses relating to in the Bible. As I was going through the comments I am so glad someone finally mentioned vaccines as they are made by the pharmaceutical companies that constantly relies on manipulation, cover up of info and as of now coercion for the industry to survive and a mindset of needing to be forced on all. If only people would listen to why instead of constantly needing to defend the industry. Now info is being censored. The more you learn about them the more evil you discover. I know many people can’t fathom that thought but it needs to be known!
[…] on that last thing I said though. The definition of pharmakeia seems to be opening up wider below: On The Greek word “pharmakia” | True Discernment __________________ Heresy has no bass for the […]
Thank you… http://johnstuartspeaks.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/the-pastor-of-depression-disaster/
As usual, moderation in all things.
all pharmaceutical drugs poison the blood. the life of the flesh is in the blood.
if the blood is pure the flesh lives, if the blood is poisoned the flesh dies.
I am currently hooked on a cocktail of psychiatric drugs which I am trying to withdraw from. I believe I have been deceived into this and have had to take medication for bad insomnia. I am trying to hold out hope that I can stop these awful pills, but it is hard because they produce “dependence”. I have prayed for God to help me with this, but the prospect of long term withdrawal difficulties are terrifying. I have lost my will because these medications have changed my brain making it very very hard to repent. Am I doomed? Is there any hope? Has God shut the door on me? I have seen the ravages of these drugs first hand. Please pray for me.
Ken
mark wilkes
Hi Jesus is enough the work was completed at the cross we do not need any other antidote.
the problem is unbelief until you face this truth you are deceived.
king Asa died because he sought the doctor before God 2 chronicles 16 v12 and God had it recorded in His Holy book have you ever thought why?
The just shall live by faith in every area of life even down to blessing and giving thanks for your food and when we say Lord make it good and wholesome to our bodies believe it.
the deepest issue with christians is the issue of being so easily offended this is the biggest enemy to becoming free. Christians get offended by truth the very thing that sets you free.people bring a knowledge of the truth because they spend time seeking whole heartedly the Lord and it offends so many of the people who lack revelation.
Jesus offended many religious you see its impossible to offend love and if you get offended by what people say you lack love its so simple a child can understand it and that,s how we enter the kingdom by becoming as a little child.Talking about kingdom we come to the Lords will that his kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven and its for now not yesterday or tomorrow but now for now faith is and it is always now in heaven so it is always now on earth.
Christians need to spend more time seeking God Matthew 6v33 than jobs careers,hobbies do you see these things in scripture NO!
We need to live ready not try and get ready when troubles come and send out a prayer chain through the church which is motivated from fear and not faith.It only takes 1 person to have faith and the mountain moves but if the mountain does not move then there is no faith operating its simple black or white there is no grey.
there is only one way to follow Jesus, you have surrendered all your rights you no longer live if you can not find it in the life of Christ then it should not be in our lives period!
I just want to leave you with this to think about.
the bible tells us God is love and if we are created in the image of God then we are to become love God loves you and me exactly the same as His son so why do we as Christians love our own children more than our brothers and sisters children this is not Gods love the world can do that and the scripture tells us that by the love you have for one another they will know you are my disciples.
Be encouraged and seek to be filled with the love of God this true liberty because you live above fear and offence AMEN!
Drugs are not the only thing that is mind altering. ANYTHING, away from The Word of God, that you are so wrapped up in, that it takes your attention off of God, will influence ( alter the way you perceive things), you to part yourself farther from what God wants you to live and be for Him. All you HEAR, SEE, FEEL, TASTE, and INVOLVE yourself in, changes, or influences how you perceive, and how you will make a decision in matters of everyday life.
“Am I doomed? Is there any hope? Has God shut the door on me? ”
Ken,
Jesus Christ drank the cup that was before Him in the garden and triumphed over it. There is always hope as long as you are breathing on Earth and have not found yourself chained in the abyss. I can relate with your worries. The Living God, the God of Abraham, the One True God, knows us more deeply than we know ourselves, God knows if we are taking a substance for a temporary feeling (drunkenness) or if we actually “need” them. (Ailments of the body and mind are very different, such as drugs that would keep us alive, and drugs that have a certain effect on our brain and mood, and the difference is individual to each of us and only God knows our true hearts and spirit)
God sees you struggling and worrying and thank the Lord that you are still worrying. God loves you for worrying about His opinion, and as St. Paul said “Each man must be fully convinced in his own mind”, if you truly believe that these drugs are bad for you or you have been tricked into taking them, then stop. Show yourself for the sake of yourself, that you have self control and can conquer any earthly temptation, but if you have a mental problem, take what you need to function and avoid being a drunkard as I have been in the past. Pray to God and He will hear you, He might not whisper in your ear what you should do but Jesus is our advocate and knows us, don’t lie to yourself or to God, because such a thing is not possible.
You are not doomed. There is always hope with Jesus Christ, He loves us more than we have ever loved anyone (or pets). God never shuts the door on anyone, He is the Father of us all and wishes that none would fall into the abyss. I have personally witnessed people who have chosen to join the enemy, and cast black magic on their own parents and little sister come back to the light, not only did they not care about God’s opinion, they scoffed and mocked it, and God took them back into His loving arms because He loves all of us that much. There is no one Jesus will not have compassion on and forgive if they humble themselves and embrace the forgiveness and love of the God of Abraham and His Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
“Gird yourselves but be shattered” -Isaiah
You have the shattered part down and I know what that is like; it is terrible and confusing and hard but if you have not stopped caring about God’s opinion there is beyond a chance for you my brother there is a stumbling stone that we all have tripped over, if you love Him you will be saved and healed, and God bless you for still caring about His opinion, now gird yourself and allow Christ to heal you. I love you brother, i am with you in spirit, and if i love you and would never give up on you, how much more do you think Christ loves you? Who chose to go to Hell for 3 days so He could be there for you and me and everyone else always, if we accept His Love.
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
-Matthew 23
Eric G, reading your reply to “am I doomed?” brings me tears of joy and hope This person is me. I’ve been struggling with the need for pain medications for severe, near total body pain, and wanting to walk with God and be “set apart” unto Him. Thank you for posting these Scriptures of hope, and not being judgemental towards those of us who have sought the Father, but as yet have not received deliverance, despite sincere, prolonged efforts to know/do His will and be “Free indeed”, according to His Word Bless you.
You better PREACH…..EXCELLENT!!!!
I agree with entire article.
JESUS will Bless you
No, God has not shut the door on you. You can still repent, and God can and likely will help your repentance reach deeper levels.
May the LORD bless the information stated hear, guide us all in a direction of righteousness and freedom, as he is the Author of our freedom. Pray for us in Oklahoma state as we are fighting for the right to be able to choose whether or not to immunize our children. This is pharmika too. Bear with me… A child’s immune system, the thing that builds antibodies to the vaccines, isn’t even fully formed until 5 years of age!!
It’s proven that the ‘additives’ in vaccines/flu shots, increase risk/cause mental decline (Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s) if taken long term…every person reacts differently, and some, although refuted, react quickly–Autism, allergies, frequent infections. And, if you choose to immunize, and never get the measles, chickenpox, etc. you will not pass this along to your children in the breast milk, and your body does not build the same ‘memory Tcells’ that can fight the virus in the future when you come into contact with it.
ALL man made ‘medications’ cause ‘side effects’. ALL of them.
I’m a nurse. I’ve been a patient-cancer. The LORD healed and restored me completly. I was ignorant at first, and went through many unnecessary procedures and meds. I know that the LORD guided me to natural alternatives to remaining in health.
So, I understand the dilema of ‘being ill and wanting relief’ vs ‘trusting our LORD’ to heal and restore. I would say in a crisis situation, to save life, the LORD has provided much wisdom. But longterm dependence on meds, especially for mental/anxiety related diagnoses, I believe is better ‘cured’ by changing diet and adding medicinal herbs.. They DO work.
It’s what He provided them for.
I agree with much of what is stated in the article and the comments. Pharmika IS ‘a form of’ sorcery, control, dependence on man instead of our LORD.
So, remember not to judge each other, but pray without ceasing, lifting up our brethren to our Abba Father. He is Faithfulness!! He will deliver, He will give insight and wisdom. Remember when praying, He restores not to what was, or to anything we have known in the past….He restores to ALL He has intended in the first place. see II Kings 8. HE is our Hope. Jesus is our Peace.
Sometimes, the delivering, the freedom, His Peace, comes instantly when we seek His help. Somtimes, when we don’t give up, when we diligently seek Him, His freedom and deliverance become reality through a process.
So…Do not give up seeking Him. If you know Him, He is your Deliverer.
He wants to be your Deliverer, your Saviour.
“We must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of ALL who diligently seek Him”.
So, thank you Lord for all our brethren who are trusting You for deliverence, for healing, for remaining in health. Bless them..and may Your Name, Jesus, be the only thing that prospers over us all, and nothing less. Amen.
March 2015. I’ve just read this article. Wow! How much are we missing out on – and don’t even know about? What could a Christian society truly living in obedience to, and in the power of, the Holy Spirit really be like? How we could transform society!
As Revelation says, “Having a form of religion, but knowing not the power thereof… “.
Reblogged this on Laurel's Holistic Health and commented:
I couldn’t agree with this article anymore! This is exactly how I feel about drugs and how it is messing up the perfect bodies and body of Christ! 😦 Satan is deceptive, sneaky, and masquerades around like an angel of light. The doctors we thought to be on the path of righteousness and goodness may be just as deceived as the persons receiving these drugs…mind altering all around, isn’t it?
Too many people, doctors and nurses included, today, believe that taking prescription drugs is a given. It’s expected. So they go along with the crowd. They say “The doctor gave me….this or that.” Hey, you took it!!!
Anyone can do their own research on any kind of chemical, pill or vaccine BEFORE THEY TAKE THE PRESCRIPTION by simply going online, going to your search engine, and typing in MSDS FOR…..whatever drug or vaccine. The companies that make a particular drug will be listed and take you to a .pdf file which can be copied.
Every chemical has to have, by law, an MSDS or MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET filed with the U. S. Government telling what the ingredients are, safety concerns, cancer concerns, who it was not tested on and any other contraindications.
Mercury derivatives ARE IN the H1N1 flu shot. They were never tested on pregnant women, infants or the elderly…yet that was the targeted population told over and over to get the vaccine. AWAKE IS AWARE. BE AWAKE.
Anyone here ever remember Thalidomide in the 1950’s for pregnant women? Look it up and the horrible birth defects it cause to a whole population of babies born without limbs. If anything, these things have gotten much, much worse.
Almighty God provided every green plant and herb. Hippocrates said – “Let food be your medicine and you medicine be your food.”
Do we trust what God says?
Hosea 4:6 “My people perish for lack of knowledge.”
[…] It was often said in Ancient Greece that the cure is always a poison, and the poison is always a cure. In fact, the word “pharmacy” partially descends from this concept (Pharmakia). […]
Thank you. I can see more clearly
I think as a side note, it’s evil that people are doped beyond clear thinking at the times they need God most by drs and hospitals. When they need desperately to pray, they are kept too doped to do it….as a deliberate part of evil’s plan….terrible….they are kept from beingable to even ASK Him to save them. Pray for those I hospitals who cannot form the thoughts to pray for themselves.
Wonderful article!!
I agree. Amen. From Philippines God bless your ministry.
Thank you I seem to suffer from every type of pain a person can have but showed me the right way and you helped confirmed it.
Please pray for me. I desperately need God’s healing in my brain, body, and nervous system after serious damage by psychiatric drugs. I am sorry that I ever took any drugs that affected my very delicate brain chemistry that God created so perfectly balanced. These drugs are very, very powerful, especially in those of us with very sensitive nervous systems. Thank you for this article.
There is a need for drugs for some things. I had brucellosis, and vibramycin killed it….it is an antibiotic. If we did not have antibiotics we would continue to have tuberculosis. And POLIO would be rampant.
Please do not throw out the baby with the bath water. Yes, I am a born again Christian.
I’m reading this 10yrs later and boy Is this so fresh.
The church that men boast of is morphing into the whore of Babylon. I went to a prayer meeting thinking how am I going to pray for more than 10 minutes but found myself pressing in but having a great battle to feel that Connection to God. Towards the end I experienced breakthrough but on driving out the car park I said to the Lord why was that so difficult and the Holy Spirit spoke into my spirit
“Becsuse you prostitute yourself with the things of this world”
That is the reality. We want to share ourselves with both God and the world. Make no mistake Christ is coming back for a pure and a spotless bride and as a Jealous God he will not be partnered to anyone who had divided loyalties and craves for the things of this world.
Working in a hospital, it is apparent that there are so many mental health issues, and that rather than merge naturopathic medicine that teaches people to take responsibility for their health, with traditional medicine, the powers that are, due to the reduction of pharmaceutical profits for Doctors (fault the American Medical Association), continue to allow people who experience anxiety to become dependent on drugs that “take the edge off of their anxiety.” We as people are allowing people to have weak minds in America, while standing by and allowing this to happen. There are many things, in my opinion, that should be integrated into our health system, such as relaxing meditation that teaches how to slow one’s thoughts down, and sit with God in the minds eye. Although their are Christian’s that are afraid of meditation, it is nothing more than learning to sit with God in the minds eye by calling upon one’s soul for relaxation. It is anchoring, soothing, freeing and teaches one that they can control their mind, in a balancing of spirit and flesh, as it erases negative self talk that people play in their heads all day and night. Until the powers that be take insurance out of our health care system, and socialize healthcare and until the powers that be stop gambling on pharmakia on our stock market. We will remain a sick society that does not take responsibility for our selves. People need to stop being so passive about these things, as the foundation of our world is definitely under attack by the enemy and these are all signs of it.
Lynn Rossini,
Socialized medicine is not the answer, as one who has lived in Europe in countries with socialized medicine the dispensing rates for mood altering pharmaceuticals is actually greater there not less. The reason that pharmaceutical companies make so much money in the U.S. is because they are allowed to by Congress, who for the most part are in the pocket so to speak of large pharmaceutical companies. In Europe pharmaceutical prices are much more regulated, making mood altering drugs much cheaper and more wide spread!
Also meditation is not the answer, meditation assumes that everyone has divinity within them and therefore no matter their beliefs they can come into contact with the divine simply through meditation, and thus calm themselves. Unfortunately this is diametrically opposed to what Jesus Christ stated in how we reach God and come to know peace, we reach God through apprehending who Jesus is, the realization that we cannot save ourselves, and that we are irredeemably lost without Christ’s sacrifice at the cross. When that happens God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, guide us, and to give us peace!
So we cannot find or attain peace on our own, only God through the Holy Spirit can impart peace within us when we surrender our lives to God through Jesus Christ!
Thank you for the truth.
Thank you and Praise to GOD for your website ( truedsicernment). I have been in rhe health and wellness industry since I was 20 years old..I love food and I always knew proper nutrition is important for not only your body but MIND.. And everyone is always looking for magic pill. That says it all.. !!! No such thing… Magic potion is abomination to GOD and forbidden.. And people always have thought I was crazy..because I would say how prescriptions drugs are more dangerous thrn food and how Doctors make money..this was in the 90ies I just started putting the pieces together..after I had my babies .and nursed thrm both for a year and how they never got sick….never…!!! Now I am walking with Christ and been reading the bible for the last 5 years. Everyday. . it is Confirmation. !!!! Amen
I come from a very religious family but as I grew up,I started hanging out with people who were bad influences so I strayed from my faith. I am currently struggling with dependence on pharmaceuticals that are for pain and a nicotine addiction. I admit that I am not prescribed the pain meds but have been taking them for many years. When I first started taking them,it wasn’t for pain relief but for the “good feeling”. But then I continued to take them because of pain and became addicted. Now,I can’t go more than a couple of days without it and,if I do,I have real bad withdraw symptoms. I started smoking when I was about 15 or 16yrs. I have tried to quit both of these addictions many and have had little to no luck. I can’t get “professional” treatment because I’m currently unemployed and can’t afford insurance. I really want to repent and turn from my sinful ways. I just need to know what to do. If anyone that reads this and have any advice,I would greatly appreciate it.
Michael,
When you say you were from a “very religious” family can you clarify that a bit. As being “very religious” is not always synonymous with being close to God and Knowing God!
Also here are three key things that from my own experience helped me overcome personal addictions:
1. A personal surrender to Christ. Now I am not talking about the prayer of repentance and then going on about your daily life, and working God into that. That is what is known as a “greasy grace” or an “easy grace” people want God for their own felt needs, they believe if God could just meet their “needs” how they see fit, then their life would be fine. Surrendering to Christ is much more than that. We HAVE to die to self! And that means laying our life at Jesus feet and saying, Lord it is ALL yours, take me, mold me, and use me how you see fit! Only when we are willing to surrender all of our life can Christ become real in our life! Now when you do this, there may not be an immediate change in your life, but the change will happen and you have to trust God that it will. You need to daily read God’s Word, New Testament first. and pray daily. When I was suffering from addictions and I turned my life over to Christ, I had doubts, which is normal, but God placed it on my heart that when I felt anxious to say the lords prayer:
Matthew 6:9-13:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
I sometimes prayed this 50 times a day, it gave me peace. When I was walking around it was in my mind and I said it to myself silently.
Also I avoided those things that brought temptation.
And miraculously over time my mind, my thoughts changed, what I wanted to do changed, what I wanted to be around changed, and God healed me. My addictions slowly melted away, the occurrence and re-occurrence of them slowly left me.
2. Secondly find and ask other people to pray for you! I had many people praying for me, people who prayed from their heart out of love and compassion. Intercessory prayer (prayer from people who are interceding for you with Christ) is powerful!
3. Find a god Christian to mentor you, someone who is compassionate and understanding, someone you can confide in when you need to talk, and someone to pray with. And by extension find a group of Christians to support you with prayer, and mental support. Not just “Sunday” Christians, but those who will assist you through the week!
As you do the things in number 1 above, and as you have people praying for you, you will find over time strength to overcome your addictions, and God will do it in a way that does not do you harm! And you will find your outlook and how you live transformed.
I can say that I will pray for you and if you need guidance in your journey, I would be more than happy to help!
God Bless you, and May God’s Grace shine down upon you and give you a new life in Jesus Christ!
Food gives good health and its strengthen.
Where healthy food are Digested, no one gets sick. Clean environment also helps with good health.
I always say this, “Anytime I am denied food, meaning; the person wanted me… to get sick and die.” Wicked people refuses good food to their fellow mankind. “Good food, means; Good Health.”
I have tried to find the article you suggested at the end of this commentary, with no success. “Mania The shocking truth between phychiatric drugs, suicide, violence, & mass murders.
Does this article still exist in www?
Thanks for your article. I am sometimes disappointed with the way Bible translations aren’t accurate with modern language or how words have been changed to something that is by definition not the same. I’m sure translating is a complicated task, but I’m surprised with the authority taken in some versions to change the text based on the assumptions of the translators during those times.
For me, the difference between “witchcraft” and “drug use” is huge. Due to the innaccurate translation, I didn’t know that using drugs was forbidden the way it is and that using could result in being cut off from the inheritance God offers. That’s a major loss! Now that I know, I will have a much less relaxed perspective on the issue.
Great article 🙂 it should also be noted that when you mention type 1 diabetes, that there are many strong links and data showing that vaccines are the cause of many if not all cases… So really it’s all linked back to the “pharmakia”
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Thanks so much for blessing with me with such wisdom my fellow saint in Christ. God bless you.
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