Pharma-
This is an ongoing study that I get a chance to work on from time to time. There has always been a ‘darkness’ that came with some drugs, both legal and illegal.
The last few years we have really seen a increase in the effect of many drugs causing unwanted behavior, hallucinations, and a major change in the individual both physically and mentally. In most cases the drug has not changed in a way that it’s altered.
Are individuals not able to handle the drug mentally compared to 10 years ago? Is the body chemistry changing in ways it was not before. Does relapse bring them into a worse place?
Scripture has many examples of something similar,
“ Luk 11:24 The unclean spirit when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and finding none, he saith, I will turn back unto my house whence I came out.Luk 11:25 And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished.
Luk 11:26 Then goeth he, and taketh to himseven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first.”
Is this what is happening to so many who enter into recovery and then fall back, only to become much worse mentally than before? Is it a spiritual problem that’s affecting the mentality of a individual?
Matt
Some of this page I have posted words from others, I try and list the author or work it’s from, others are my own and may change as we continue to study how the enemy fights to keep us bound!
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 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 not reduce or eliminate the use of them via their own self control or a life style change.
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:
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
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.
“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 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 not reduce or eliminate the use of them via their own self control or a life style change.
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:
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
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.
Pharmakeia?I have been struggling with understanding the Greek word Pharmakeia (Strongs 5331) as found in the New Testament. What exactly is Pharmakeia? Is it really the use of medication? What was Pharmakeia in biblical times? What is modern Pharmakeia? I would like an in depth/exhaustive answer on the context and meaning of Pharmakeia in biblical times and how it relates to our time.
Asked By:
Danne
Three points on 'pharmakeia' - translation, practice, interpretation
I think there are really three questions here: one about translation, one about the practice of medicine , and one about interpretation for today.
First, translation: The word pharmakeia is very much like our word for ‘drugs’: that is, it can refer to many things. When I use the word “drugs” I can be referring to Tylenol (which can be purchased over the counter) or to prescription drugs (which require the oversight of a physician), but I can also be referring to illegal drugs (such as meth). Which I am referring to will depend entirely on context; generally, when someone uses the word ‘drugs’ they have a specific meaning in mind rather than all three. The word pharmakeia is much the same. It has a range of meanings. It can refer to magic, but it very often refers to the practice of medicine or what might be called healing arts (see Liddell and Scott, a Greek-English Lexicon). It does not refer to both of these things at the same time. It depends on context. In the New Testament the word pharmekeia occurs three times (Gal 5:19-21; Rev 9:21; 18:23). Each time, it is translated as ‘sorcery’ or ‘magic’ and it is something that is spoken of in negative terms. The translators have chosen this definition because of the context. This does not mean that every possible definition of the word phramekeia is condemned. It depends on context.
Second, you ask if the practice of medicine is condemned in the New Testament. By no means. There are two verses that point to a positive view of the practice of medicine: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Matt 9:12; Mark 2:7; Luke 5:31). Why say that the sick have need of a physician if medicine is condemned? And Colossians 4:14 brings greetings from “Luke, the physician.” Why would Luke’s profession as a physician be mentioned if it were viewed as inappropriate or tantamount to sorcery? The New Testament certainly recognizes that healing can occur in other ways besides through the care of a physician: Jesus is presented as the quintessential healer. Both Mark and Luke tell a story about a woman who had been ill for many years and who had seen many physicians, none of whom were able to help here (Mark 5:26; Luke 8:43). This does not condemn the medical profession; rather it describes the desperate state of the woman.
Third: interpretation for today. Healing is a complex process. Most any physician today would agree with this and I believe such a view is present also in the New Testament. It involves individuals such as family or friends who support us (think of the four friends who carry the paralytic to Jesus); it involves treatment by physicians and licensed mental health care specialists and may include the appropriate use of specific drugs; it involves faith – that is, trust in God; it also involves our own willingness to engage in actions and activities that promote health.
Author: Holly E. Hearon
Different meanings at different times . . .
On the term pharmakeia--an abstract noun meaning sorcery, magic, the practice of magic arts.
The concrete noun is pharmakon whose primary meaning is poison; its secondary meaning is magic potion or charm to achieve a desirable objective; and its tertiary meaning is medicine, remedy, or drug for healing.
The above terms were used from the time of Homer (8th century BC) down to New Testament times and known both to Greeks and Jews.
In modern times the tertiary meaning prevails as for example the term "Pharmacy" as a place to obtain healing medicines.
Author:
Pharmakeia a vice
In ancient Greek, öáñìáêåéá = the use of drugs, potions, spells, and/or poisoning, witchcraft, magical potions. (See, e.g., the standard ancient Greek lexicon, by Liddell & Scott). In Koine Greek, especially in usage by ancient Jews and Christians, the word = sorcery, magic, etc. (As, e.g., in "A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Liteature," by W. F. Arndt & F. W. Gingrich).
So, in its usage in the NT it designates this sort of vice.
Author: Larry W. Hurtado
Asked By:
Danne
Three points on 'pharmakeia' - translation, practice, interpretation
I think there are really three questions here: one about translation, one about the practice of medicine , and one about interpretation for today.
First, translation: The word pharmakeia is very much like our word for ‘drugs’: that is, it can refer to many things. When I use the word “drugs” I can be referring to Tylenol (which can be purchased over the counter) or to prescription drugs (which require the oversight of a physician), but I can also be referring to illegal drugs (such as meth). Which I am referring to will depend entirely on context; generally, when someone uses the word ‘drugs’ they have a specific meaning in mind rather than all three. The word pharmakeia is much the same. It has a range of meanings. It can refer to magic, but it very often refers to the practice of medicine or what might be called healing arts (see Liddell and Scott, a Greek-English Lexicon). It does not refer to both of these things at the same time. It depends on context. In the New Testament the word pharmekeia occurs three times (Gal 5:19-21; Rev 9:21; 18:23). Each time, it is translated as ‘sorcery’ or ‘magic’ and it is something that is spoken of in negative terms. The translators have chosen this definition because of the context. This does not mean that every possible definition of the word phramekeia is condemned. It depends on context.
Second, you ask if the practice of medicine is condemned in the New Testament. By no means. There are two verses that point to a positive view of the practice of medicine: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Matt 9:12; Mark 2:7; Luke 5:31). Why say that the sick have need of a physician if medicine is condemned? And Colossians 4:14 brings greetings from “Luke, the physician.” Why would Luke’s profession as a physician be mentioned if it were viewed as inappropriate or tantamount to sorcery? The New Testament certainly recognizes that healing can occur in other ways besides through the care of a physician: Jesus is presented as the quintessential healer. Both Mark and Luke tell a story about a woman who had been ill for many years and who had seen many physicians, none of whom were able to help here (Mark 5:26; Luke 8:43). This does not condemn the medical profession; rather it describes the desperate state of the woman.
Third: interpretation for today. Healing is a complex process. Most any physician today would agree with this and I believe such a view is present also in the New Testament. It involves individuals such as family or friends who support us (think of the four friends who carry the paralytic to Jesus); it involves treatment by physicians and licensed mental health care specialists and may include the appropriate use of specific drugs; it involves faith – that is, trust in God; it also involves our own willingness to engage in actions and activities that promote health.
Author: Holly E. Hearon
Different meanings at different times . . .
On the term pharmakeia--an abstract noun meaning sorcery, magic, the practice of magic arts.
The concrete noun is pharmakon whose primary meaning is poison; its secondary meaning is magic potion or charm to achieve a desirable objective; and its tertiary meaning is medicine, remedy, or drug for healing.
The above terms were used from the time of Homer (8th century BC) down to New Testament times and known both to Greeks and Jews.
In modern times the tertiary meaning prevails as for example the term "Pharmacy" as a place to obtain healing medicines.
Author:
Pharmakeia a vice
In ancient Greek, öáñìáêåéá = the use of drugs, potions, spells, and/or poisoning, witchcraft, magical potions. (See, e.g., the standard ancient Greek lexicon, by Liddell & Scott). In Koine Greek, especially in usage by ancient Jews and Christians, the word = sorcery, magic, etc. (As, e.g., in "A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Liteature," by W. F. Arndt & F. W. Gingrich).
So, in its usage in the NT it designates this sort of vice.
Author: Larry W. Hurtado