Drugs And Drinking:What DO The Scriptures Really Teach? Part 123
What Do The Scriptures Really Teach?
Part I
II Timothy 3:1-4 -
1. Know this also: that in the last days perilous times will come.
2. For men will be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers; without a truce, unforgiving, false accusers, WITHOUT SELF-CONTROL, brutal, despisers of those who are righteous,
4. Traitors; betrayers, headstrong, arrogant, LOVERS OF PLEASURE MORE THAN LOVERS OF GOD.
At this time we are in THE LAST DAYS, and this prophecy has truly come to pass. Much of today's SOCIETY is highly engrossed in PLEASING THEMSELVES! One of the TOOLS USED IN TODAY'S SOCIETY to please themselves is DRUGS!
Reading from The Mind, by Richard M. Restak, M.D., Bantam Books, 1988, pages 105-107, we find this information about the use of drugs.
Throughout history human beings have been conducting an uncontrolled experiment on the mind. They have used, and often abused, substances capable of acting on the brain to produce pleasure so overwhelming that the mind is wholly concentrated on attaining this pleasure. It becomes the motivating force in their lives - more important than food, companionship. . .safety, even life itself.
This drug taking is found worldwide. It exists in every culture. The drugs may be alcohol, which can be distilled from a wide variety of substances; cocaine, whose source is the coca leaf; marijuana, hashish, and related substances derived from cannabis, a hemp plant; and the opiates, from the poppy, which have morphine-like properties, and include opium, morphine, and heroin. Today, in addition to these naturally occurring substances, there are a wide variety of synthetic drugs - among them prescription seditives, barbiturates, amphetamines, and mood-altering medications such as tranquilizers - whose potential for abuse is also often exploited.
When we talk about the potential for abuse, we mean that a substance has the capacity to induce dependence in those who use it, whatever their need may be; the intense pleasure these substances arouse, or the blocking out of a reality the user finds frightening, disturbing, or in some other way unendurable. Some authorities make a distinction between psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence is a form of obsessive behavior whose objective is the attainment of pleasure or the avoidance of unpleasantness. . .
Physical dependence, which technically is termed addiction, occurs when the brain itself becomes biochemically changed because of the continuing consumption of a drug. Tolerance develops, causing the user to need increasing amounts of the drug for it to have its customary effect. Because of these biochemical changes in brain function, an abrupt stopping of the drug causes acute physical and mental symptoms, the withdrawal syndrome.
But whether or not there are changes in the brain, dependence so persistent and consuming that individuals organize their lives so as to sustain the behavior can properly be called addiction. Dr. Richard Miller, the director of a drug treatment program in Sacramento, California, says, "Of all the drugs and the compulsive behaviors that I have seen in the past twenty-five years, be it cocaine, heroin, alcohol. . . .all have one common thread. That is the covering up, or the masking, or the unwilingness on the part of the human being to confront and be with his or her human feelings.
Addiction to drugs is the most visible and shattering of all forms because it threatens the fabric of society itself. All too often, the risks - whether the anguish of the withdrawal syndrome or a drug's harmful or even potentially fatal consequences - do not matter to the addict. The drive to secure the drug is overwhelming. Abuse of addicting drugs has become epidemic in recent years, at appalling cost not only to the individuals whose lives (and the lives of those close to them) have been shattered by drugs, but to the civility and very structure of the social order.
The following article, from USA Today Magazine, Volume 117, November 1988, page 8, tells us about the cost of drug abuse to both individuals and society as a whole.
America's love affair with illegal drugs is costing a fortune in death, addiction, and lost productivity - and it's getting worse each year. According to Federal statistics, the U. S. population smokes, snorts, inhales, injects, and swallows more than $110,000,000,000 in illegal drugs annually.
America has the highest level of teenage drug abuse of any industrialized nation in the world. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the average age of the first drug use is 13. One-third of children ages 12 to 17 (6,200,000 children) already have experienced with drugs. Sixteen percent still use marijuana. Twenty percent of high school seniors have tried cocaine or crack, its powerfully addictive derivative. The Weekly Reader reports that nearly one-third of our fourth graders are being pressured to try alcohol and marijuana.
In school or not, drugs are definitely big business - bigger, in fact, than the American automotive industry. In 1986, over $1,000,000 in cash and tangible assets (not including drugs) was seized each day by the Drug Enforcement Administration - more than $373,000,000 per year.
The financial impact on American business and government is even more staggering. Drug abuse added nearly $1,000,000,000 to the nation's health care bill in 1987. The nation's manufacturing facilities, government services, and other business operations lost more than $60,000,000,000 in productivity in 1987 as employees worked under the influence of illegal drugs. Of all crime in the U.S., 60-70% is drug related. In California alone, the economic inpact of drug abuse on the state's taxpayers is estimated at more than $17,600,000,000 annually. Other states report similar costs.
Millions of people, today and throughout history, have abused drugs and alcohol in an endless SEARCH FOR PLEASURE. The main reason worldly societies rely on these types of drugs is to ESCAPE the harsh realities of this sin-sick world.
The questions that the Called Out Ones of God must ask are: What does Yahweh say in The Holy Scriptures concerning the use of RECREATIONAL, MIND-STUPORING DRUGS, and the use of ALCOHOL, to the point of INTOXICATION? Notice Yahweh's words to the Children of Israel.
Leviticus 18:1-5 -
1. And God spoke to Moses, saying:
2. Speak to the children of Israel and say to them, I am the Lord your God.
3. After the doings of the land of Egypt where you dwelt, shall you not do; and after the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, shall you not do; NEITHER SHALL YOU WALK IN THEIR ORDINANCES.
4. You shall observe and do My judgments, and KEEP MY ORDINANCES, to walk in them. I am Yahweh.
5. You must therefore keep My statutes, and My judgments, which, if a man does, he will live through them, I am Yahweh.
The word ordinances in the previous verse is #2708 in Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, chuqqah and means: appointed, custom, or manner.
Yahweh makes it plain to us that we are not to follow the ordinances of any nation of people which are contrary to His Law. as Yahweh's called out people, we must NOT JUDGE OUR LIVES BY THE LAWS OR CUSTOMS OF THE WORLD. We must judge our lives according to the Laws of God just as Jesus Christ said in Matthew 4:4, if we desire life. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6:23 that "the wages of SIN IS DEATH." Knowing the "the wages of SIN IS DEATH, we must come to a complete understanding of what sin actually is.
Yahweh inspired Paul to write in:
II Timothy 3:16-17 -
16 All Scripture that is given through INSPIRATION OF GOD is profitable for DOCTRINE, for REPROOF, for CORRECTION, for INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS:
17 That the man of God may become perfect, THOROUGHLY FURNISHED FOR EVERY RIGHTEOUS WORK.
In effect, God inspired Paul to say that He furnishes us with a PERFECT EXAMPLE of what sin is and what sin is not. So, by studying the Scriptures, we can come to a Full Understanding of what is righteous and wrong. Therefore, there will be no doubt about "what" pleases God - Whom we Worship and Obey. Yahweh tells us in:
Proverbs 14:12 -
There is a WAY WHICH SEEMS RIGHT TO MAN, but the ENDS THEREOF ARE THE WAYS OF DEATH.
If we "believe" the Scriptures, then we can believe, just by reading the previous Scriptures, that we cannot decide for ourselves what is right or what is wrong. We should believe the Scriptures for they are the WORDS OF LIFE - OR DEATH, depending on whether we choose to Obey or Disobey God - Who Alone can give Life.
God has given us, through these Scriptures, the PERFECT WAY OF LIFE. If everyone lives by God's Way there would be Perfect Peace upon this Planet at this very time.
Some people "think" their "way" is better than God's Way. Other people who have MORE UNDERSTANDING can see instantly that "their way" would bring hurt to themselves and to others.
Yahweh, having MORE UNDERSTANDING ABOVE ALL OTHERS, has given a Perfect Way which brings hurt to none, but rather joy and peace for those who follow in His Way. Yahweh tell us in:
1 John 3:4 -
Whoever commits sin, transgresses also te Law; for SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW.
The Transgression of God's Law, SIN, is the thing which brings hurt to you and everyone around you. The Transgression of Yehwah's Law, SIN, is what BRINGS ETERNAL DEATH, unless one repents of SIN and is forgiven by Yahweh. The Transgression of God's Law, SIN, is "what" we need to recognize; and we CAN if we know God's Scriptures! We are told in:
James 2:10-11 -
10 For WHOEVER KEEPS THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET OFFENDS IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL.
11 For He Who said: Do not commit adultery, also said: Do not murder. Now if you do not commit adultery, yet you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the Law.
Yahweh's Laws, Statutes, and Judgments are found principally in the FIRST FIVE BOOKS of the Bible - known as THE TORAH. The word Torah means Instruction or Law. The Ten Commandments are a CONDENSED OUTLINE of God's Plan of Law. If we break any one of God's Laws then we are guilty of having BROKEN THEM ALL! Jesus said in:
Matthew 19:17 -
But He said to him: Why do you question Me about righteousness? There is ONLY ONE WHO IS THAT STANDARD OF PERFECTION, AND THAT IS GOD; SO IF YOU WOULD ENTER INTO LIFE, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS (LAWS).
God inspired Paul to write in Romans 7:7 that he would not have known what sin is except for God's Law, which made sin very clear.
If the apostle Paul would not even have known what sin was without having God's Laws to guide him, how much MORE we need the Scriptures to guide us in our quest for Eternal Life. Since only the Scriptures guide us to Truth and Life, then we need to SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES to see what they say about the use of DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.
The use of drugs by mankind is by no means a new practice. God was well aware of DRUG USE in the lands of Egypt and Canaan. God warned His people:
Deuteronomy 29:16-20 -
16 You yourselves know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we passed through the countries on the way here.
17 You saw the abomination of gods among them - gods of wood, stone, silver, and gold; elohim and teraphim,
18 I solemnly entreat you to enter into the covenant and oath, for fear that there may be among you a man, woman, clan, or tribe this day whose heart would turn away from God our Father, to go and worship the gods (elohim) of those nations; for fear there should be among you A ROOT THAT BRINGS FORTH GALL AND WORMWOOD - poison and bitterness: the consequences of practicing godworship (the worship of elohim and teraphim).
19 I solemnly entreat you to enter into the covenant and oath, so it will never come to pass, when that one hears the words of this curse, that he can congratulate and delude himself in his heart, and erroneously think: I will have peace and safety, even though I persist in going my own way. *GOD WILL HOLD ALL OF HIS SINS AGAINST HIM; HE HAS ACTED; SINNED, PRESUMPTUOUSLY, HE IS AS A DRUNKARD TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL.
20 God will never be willing to spare him, for God shall break forth in a destructive fire, and His jealousy will burn against that man! ALL THE CURSES WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK WILL FALL UPON HIM, AND GOD WILL BLOT OUT HIS NAME FROM UNDER HEAVEN.
The first thing I want you to notice is the phrase "gall and wormwood." Most people in the world today read over these words without ever realizing the meanings they possess.
The word gall is translated from the Hebrew word rowsh which is listed as word #7219 in Strong's Hebrew Dictionary and means:
rowsh (Deut. 32:32), roshe; appar.
the same as 7218; a poisonous plant, prob.
the poppy (from it's conspicuous head); gen. poison
(even of serpents); - gall, hemlock, poison, venom.
The Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon, by Benjamin Davidson, page 671, gives us this information about the word rowsh.
ing to some, hemlock; others, colocynth.
Genenius, the poppy, whence opium;
and then for poison in general.
The word wormwood is translated from the Hebrew word la'anah which is listed as word #3939 in Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and means:
supposed to mean to curse; wormwood (regarded as
poisonous, and therefore accursed): - hemlock, worm-
wood.
Gesenius' Hebrew Lexicon, on page 440, gives us this information about the Hebrew word la'anah:
fem. wormwood, Jer. 9:14; 23:15; Lam.
3:15, 19; Prov. 5:4; this herb is perhaps so called
as being noxious (see the root) and poisonous (comp.
Deut. 29:17); as bitter herbs were commonly so
regarded by the Hebrews (compare Heb.12:13).
What few people in this world never realize is that the Hebrew words translated GALL AND WORMWOOD describes the plant sources of chemicals which cause the users to LOSE CONTROL OF THEIR MENTAL FACULTIES.
Most of the known substances that are abused as recreational drugs have their etymology in the words gall and wormwood.
We read earlier that thr Hebrew word rowsh, translated gall, refers directly to the opium poppy. Reading from Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary Of The English Language, Unabridged, Second Edition, copyright 1968, by The Word Publishing Company, we find that opium iNotice characteristics given in this definition of OPIUM. It is described as an INTOXICATING NARCOTIC DRUG. Now notice the meanings of these two words from Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, copyright 1987, by Merriam-Webster Incorporated.
cotique, adj., fr. MI. narcoticus, fr. Gk narkotikos. fr. narkown to be-
numb. fr. narke numbness - more at SNARE] (14c) 1 a: a drug (as
opium) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and in-
duces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or
convulsions b: a drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction
similar to that of the addictive narcotics whether in fact physiologically
addictive and narcotic or not 2: something that soothes, relieves, or
lulls.
Narcotic adj (1601) 1 a: having the properties of or yeilding a nar-
cotic b: including mental lethargy: SOPORIFEROUS 2: of, induced by,
or concerned with narcotics 3: of, involving, or intended for narcotic
addicts - nar-cot-i-cal-ly \-i-k (e-)ie \adv
in-tox-i-cate \-se-kat \vi-cat-ed; -cat-ing [MI, intoxicatus pp. of intox-
icare, fr. I. in- + toxicum poison - more at TOXIC] (15c) 1: POISON 2
a: to excite or stupify by alcohol or a drug esp. to the point where
physical and mental control is markedly dimished b: to excite or
elate to the point of enthusiasm or frenzy (intoxicated with joy)
in-tox-i-cat-ed \-se-kat-ed \adj (1576): affected by or as if by alcohol -
in-tox-i-cat-ed-ly \-kat-ed-le \ adv
in-tox-i-cat-tion \in-tak-se-ka-shen \ n (15c) 1: an abnormal state that
is essentially a poisoning (intestinal ~) 2 a: the condition of being
drunk: INEBRIATION b: a strong excitement or elation
So we see that the GALL AND WORMWOODspoken of in Deuteronomy 29:18 is referring to the wide range of substances used recreationally by those of this world which dull a person's senses and CAUSE LOSS OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CONTROl.
Besides opium, there are many other substances both natural and synthetic that are used recreationally by those of this world. The Holy Scriptures do not specifically name such substances as LSD, COCAINE, PCP, MARIJUANA, OR HEROIN. But it does give us the meanings of GALL AND WORMWOOD, the description of the effects of these substances on the human mind. These substances, regardless of what specific or legal classification they fall under, when used recreationally, are taken solely for the MIND ALTERING effect they produce.
Listed below are just a few of the many drugs that are commonly used in today's society. Keep in mind that in this search for pleasure, NEW DRUGS OR DERIVATIVES OF OLD DRUGS are developed or introduced every day.
Commonly, under the heading of NARCOTICS, are listed:
Opium: a yellow to dark brown, addicting, narcotic drug prepared from the juice of the unripened seed capsules of the opium poppy: it contains such alkaloids as morphine, codeine, and papaverine, and is used as an intoxicant and medicinally to relieve pain and produce sleep.
Morphine: (Greek Morpheus Gr. Mythology the God of Dreams, son of Hypos. . .The God of Sleep) A bitter, white or colorless, crystalline alkaloid, derived from opium and used in medicines to relieve pain.
Codeine: (Greek [kodeia - a poppy head]) An alkaloid, derived from opium and resembling morphine, but milder in its action and less habit forming; used for the relief of pain and in cough medicines.
Heroin: [fr. Heroin, a trademark] (1898): a strongly physiologically addictive narcotic that is made by acetylation of but is more potent than morphine and that is prohibited for medical use in the U.S. but is used illicitly for its euphoric effects.
Under the classification of DEPRESSANTS are chemicals which have a sedative effect. Among these are BARBITURATES which produce effects of SLURRED SPEECH, DISORIENTATION AND DRUNKEN BEHAVIOR.
Methaqualone (Slang-Quaaludes): A white, crystalline powder used in the form of its hydrochloride salt as a sedative and hypnotic.
Valium: A colorless, crystalline compound, useful in the symptomatic relief of psychoneurotic states manifested by tension, anxiety, apprehension, fatigue, depressive sympyoms or agitation.
Narcotics, sedatives, pain killers, tranquilizers and sleeping pills all have potential for abuse. These chemicals can affect the THOUGHT CONTROLS of one's MIND. The use of these chemicals for the sake of pleasure or escaping reality is SIN. Please be aware, however, that the use of medication for a GENUINE MEDICAL CONDITION, is acceptable to God.
Can you now begin to see GALL AND WORMWOOD in Deuteronomy 29:18 is speaking of the wrongful use of these drugs? And there are more. Among the drugs listed as STIMULANTS are included:
Cocaine: A bitter, crystalline Alkaloid that is obtained from coca leaves and was once used as a local anesthetic, can result in physiological and psychological dependence, and produces intoxication. A highly addictive derivative of cocaine known as CRACK has recently received a great deal of media attention because of its devastating effects on its users' lives.
Amphetamines: A white, crystalline compound used as stimulants for the central nervous system. A drug used to overcome mental depression, fatigue, etc., and to lessen the appetite in dieting.
Methamphetamine: An amine used in the form of its crystalline hydrochloride as a stimulant for the central nervous system and in the treatment of obesity.
These powerful stimulants of the central nervous system speed up the heartrate, adrenal production, and brain-body functions. Many believe these drugs to be a help and a blessing to their lives and decide to "prescribe" them to themselves. But these drugs are highly PHYSICALLY ADDICTIVE. The brain itself becomes BIOCHEMICALLY CHANGED by the use of these drugs. Tolerance develops, causing the user to increase the dosage in order to receive the intended effect. Stopping the drug use causes acute PHYSICAL AND MENTAL SYMPTOMS. The normal, energetic person is then unable to function without the "dose" of their drug. This dose becomes their one quest. Rather than seeking God with all their hearts - they now must seek the drug their bodies now "REQUIRE" in order to energize their apathetic bodies.
Several other drugs are classified as HALLUCINOGENS, substances that produce hallucinations. Notice the definitions of the following words.
hallucinari, allucinari to prate, dream. fr. Gk alyein to be distressed, to
wander] vt (1822) 1: to affect with visions or imaginary perceptions
2: to perceive or experience as an hallucination ~ vt: to have halluci-
nations - hal-lu-ci-na-tor \-nat-er\n
hal-lu-ci-na-tion \ha-lus-n-a-shen\ n (1629) 1 a: perception of objects with no reality usu. arising from disorder of the nervous system or in response to drugs (as LSD) b: the object of an hallucinatory perception 2: a completely unfounded or mistaken impression or notion: DELUSION
When one is hallucinating, one is definitely not in complete control of one's mind. Drugs which are classified as hallucinogens include:
LSD: [lsergic acid diethylamide.] a chemical compound extracted from ergot alkaloids, used in the study of schizophrenia and other mental disorders and as a psychedelic drug: it produces hallucinations, delusions, etc. resembling those occurring in a psychotic state.
Mescaline: An hallucinatory, crystalline alkaloid that is the chief active principle in mescal buttons.
Psilocybin (Slang: Magic Mushrooms): An hallucinogenic drug obtained from a Mexican fungus and various other mushrooms.
Phencyclidine Hydrochloride or PCP: A chemical used experimentally some years ago as an anesthetic for humans, but discontinued because of adverse reactions. At the present time the FDA allows it to be used as a tranquilizer for animals only. PCP, know as Angel Dust on the streets, is a mind-destroying chemical with such adverse reactioins that the Reader's Digest was compelled to write an article warning of its hazards to our young people.
Hemp: a tall asiatic plant of the hemp family, a substance such as marijuana, hashish, etc., is made from the leaves and flowers of this plant.
Marijuana: Its dried leaves and flowers, smoked, especially in the form of cigarettes, for euphoric effects! Euphoric: a feeling of vigor, well-being, or high spirits.
Hashish: A drug formed from the resin contained in the flowering tops of Idian Hemp, chewed or smoked for its intoxicating and euphoric effects.
Marijuana and its related substances, have long been proclaimed harmless by its users. However, The Executive Health Report, October 1977, page 8, gives us this information about the so-called "harmless"drug marijuana.
chiatry, Cowell Hospital, University of California,
Berkeley, at one time advocated legalizing the use
of Marijuana. Later, after more evidence was avail-
able, he wrote: "I now believe that marijuana is
the most dangerous drug we must contend with: 1.
Its early use is beguiling. The user is given an
illusion of feeling good; he cannot sense the dete-
rioration of his mental and physiological processes.
2. Its continued use leads to delusional thinking.
After one to three years of continuous use, the
pathological forms of thinking begin to take over
the thought process."
The word, ASSASSIN, is derived from the Arabic word HASHSHASHIN which means HASHISH USER. The Hashshashin were members of a secret sect of Moslems who killed Christians during the Crusades supposedly while under the influence of hashish. Are we really to believe that a drug that can lead one to MURDER is really harmless?
The drugs listed here are those most commonly used for recreational purposes, providing escape from reality while ALTERING ONE'S JUDGMENT AND UNDERSTANDING.
Deuteronomy 29:18-19 -
18 . . .for fear there should be among you a root that brings forth GALL AND WORMWOOD. . .
19 . . .so it never will come to pass, when that one HEARS THE WORDS OF THIS CURSE, THAT HE CAN CONGRATULATE AND DELUDE HIMSELF IN HIS HEART. . .
Yahweh is concerned that we hear and obey Him at all times. Yahweh knows that if the human body consumes the chemicals previously listed in order to escape reality or for pleasures sake, then that human may very well say to himself, "I will be secure, even though I persist in going my own way."
Those who use these drugs for their OWN PLEASURE go against God and His Word. Please keep in mind that God does not condemn all drugs. But as we just read in God's Law the illicit use of drugs for a recreational or mind altering use is condemned!
Deuteronomy 32:31-33 -
31 For thier rock is not as our Rock! Our enemies have even conceded this!
32 For their vines are vines of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah. THIER GRAPES ARE THE GRAPES OF GALL; poison of godworship (the worship of elohim), their CLUSTERS ARE FILLED WITH BITTERNESS; bitterness of idolatry: godworship ( the worship of elohim).
33 Their WINE IS THE DRAGON'S POISON, and the cruel venom of asps.
What Do The Scriptures Really Teach?
Part II
Millions of people today believe anything short of TOTAL ABSTINENCE from any kind of beverage containing alcohol is a "Sin". Many other people believe there can never be enough alcohol in their wine cellars or at their parties.
What is right? What is wrong? Is it a sin to drink a little wine or strong drink? Since we are to live by every word of God as our Savior Jesus tells us to do in Matthew 4:4, just what do the Scriptures say concerning DRINKING, and/or DRUNKENNESS? Notice the following Scripture which is often skipped, or ignored, by many preachers today!
Deuteronomy 14:26 -
Then you shall SPEND THAT MONEY FOR WHATEVER YOU DESIRE to have: for oxen, or for sheep, or FOR WINE, OR FOR STRONG DRINK, or for whatever you desire to have. You shall then eat there before the Lord thy God and you shall rejoice: you and your household.
The word wine in this verse is translated from the Hebrew word yayin, which is listed as word #3196 in Strong's Hebrew Dictionary and means fermented wine.
to effervese; wine (as fermented); by impl.
intoxication: - banqueting, wine, wine [-bibber].
The words strong drink are translated from the Hebrew word shekar, listed as word #7941 in Strong's Hebrew Dictionary and means: an intensely alcoholic liquor.
toxicant i.e. intensely alcoholic liquor: - strong drink,
+ drunkard, strong wine.
shikkor. See 7910.
If you will completely read the entire Chapter of Deuteronomy Fourteen you will see that God gives His People Three Feasts in His Year. God tells us to rejoice at His Feasts. God tells us to USE WINE OR STRONG DRINK at His Feast, if that is what we want.
Was the idea of drinking changed in the New Testament? Did the Savior or His Disciples teach the complete abstinence from wine or strong drink?
The first place the New Testament speaks of drinking is at the marriage attended by our Savior Jesus. Not only was He present, but evidently His mother was in some way helping in the marriage festivities. When the wine which was previously provided was completely consumed by the guests, Jesus' mother came to Him and asked Him what they should do. The complete story of JESUS' FIRST MIRACLE OF TURNING THE WATER INTO WINE is written in John 2:3-11.
The Wedding Feast had progressed so far that they were surprised that the host had saved the best wine to be served last. It was customary to serve the best wine first and to serve the poorest wine last. When our SAVIOR MADE WINE to serve at this Wedding Feast, He made the best!
The usual explantion from those who make their own interpretations of the Scriptures is that the wine our Savior made was "not alcoholic - there was no alcohol in it."
The Greek word for the "WINE" JESUS CREATED at His First Miracle is the same Greek word for "wine" in Ephesians 5:18, where it is definitely shown that if you drink too much, you will definitely get drunk!
The word translated wine in both John Chapter Two and Ephesians 5:18 is the Greek word oinos which is listed as word #3631 in Strong's Greek Dictionary.
of Heb. or. [3196]), "wine" (lit. or fig.): - wine.
This word refers us to the Hebrew word yayin, which definitely shows wine to be a fermented, intoxicating beverage.
to effervese; wine (as fermented); by impl.
intoxication: - banqueting, wine, wine [-bibber].
Any authority, as well as your own common sense, will tell you NO ONE WILL GET DRUNK ON UNFERMENTED GRAPE JUICE!
This shows us further proof that ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES are NOT CONDEMNED by Jesus. The Scriptures plainly tell us Jesus was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). If drinking alcohol was a sin, Jesus the Messiah would not have performed the act of making wine!
The Apostle Paul wrote these instructions to the Disciple Timothy in:
I Timothy 5:23 -
No longer drink only water, but USE A LITTLE WINE FOR YOUR STOMACH'S SAKE AND YOUR FREQUENT INFIRMITIES.
Our Creator Yahweh is concerned for our health. He gave us His Laws to guide us in His ways, which include His Ways to Health. Yahweh inspired the Apostle John to write in:
III John 1:2 -
Beloved, I PRAY ABOVE ALL THINGS THAT YOU are successful and ARE IN HEALTH; I know it is well with your soul.
The instruction Paul first wrote to Timothy is righteous instruction for us today. Most Medical Doctors agree that WINE OR BEER, when used sparingly, is BENEFICIAL TO ONE'S HEALTH! In fact, many Medical Doctors prescribe beer or wine to their patients. But the key word in this "prescription" is SPARINGLY. The Scriptures say not to drink to the point of DRUNKENNESS! Our Creator God made the human body and He knows what is "healthy" for that human body!
From the book entitled The Wonder of Wine written by Edouard Kressmann and published by Hastings House Publishers, we find this information on page 197, concerning the Medicinal use of Wine.
Wine does not fatigue the stomach any more than
the head. On the contrary, it promotes digestion.
Many scientists have shown the beneficial effect
of fine wines on the human body, especially when
they are drunk at table, thanks to their countless
constituents, in particular their tannins, mineral
salts, vitamins B, etc. That is why light Bordeaux
red wines are particularly recommended by the
medical profession, both to those in fine health and
active people who wish to prolong their days, as
well as to convalescents and old people whose
strength needs to be built up again.
The Apostle Paul knew the benefits that wine mixed with water had on the human body. From antiquity people have MIXED A SMALL AMOUNT OF WINE WITH UNFAMILIAR WATER when they traveled to places they were unaccustomed to. Wines have many BENEFICIAL ASPECTS for many different ailments.
Wines are used externally as an ANTISEPTIC in wounds, and also for soaking foods to kill harmful bacteria on the skin of fruits and vegetables. It was used as a BLOOD BUILDER and to STRENGTHEN THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.
In the book entitled Wine Appreciation, by Richard P. Vine, Facts on File, 1988, we read this information in Chapter Two on page 77.
the presence of minerals and vitamins in wine. Wine
is an effective iron supplement, and 80 percent of
the iron in wine is present in the ferrous form that
is readily available for use in the human body.
In this same book, on pages 80-81, is this information:
moderate amounts of alcohol produce increased
levels of cholesterol. Recent articles published in
the Journal of the American Association
have shown that coronary artery disease was less
likely to develop in men who drank alcoholic bev-
erages in moderation than those who abstained or
were heavy drinkers.
content can be an excellent and regular energy
source for those on diabetic diets. If one suffers
from diabetes, consult with a physician before
making wine a regular part of the diet.
In recent years, the United States Government conducted a study on the effects of alcohol on pregnant women and their unborn children. They came to a conclusion, and subsequently issued a warning that even the slightest amount of alcohol is harmful to a fetus. However, as the following excerpt from the book Wine Appreciation, by Richard P. Vine, 1988, Facts on File, pages 81-83, shows us, both the governments study and its conclusion are flawed.
"FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME" was coined to
describe a group of congenital defects seen in the
children of alcoholic mothers.
The bulletin of the FEDERAL DRUG AD-
MINISTRATION in July 1981 stated that even
the smallest amount of alcohol might be danger-
ous to the fetuses of pregnant women. The full blown
amount of alcohol syndrome has, to this date, been
reported only in women suffering from chronic al-
coholism who in one study drank as much as one
and one-half gallons of liquor per day.
. . .It is important to relate that only approxi-
mately 500 cases of fetal alcohol syndrome to date
have been described in medical literature.
. . .We should also note that it is somewhat mis-
leading to attribute all the effects of the fetal syn-
drome solely to the amount of alcohol consumed,
since many of these women were also heavy smokers,
some used hard drugs, and many had poor diets.
As we have read previously, using alcohol SPARINGLY, as God commands, will bring harm to no one.
Wine is one of the PUREST substances known to mankind! Since leavening represents sin and grape juice definitely contains leavening (yeasts), then grape juice could not have represented the blood of Christ at Jesus' first Memorial Service with His Disciples
Unadulterated wine contains no yeasts or impurities at all. Unadulterated wine contains no leavening. Therefore unadulterated wine, and ONLY UNADULTERATED WINE, can represent the Blood of Jesus at His Memorial.
It should be obvious by now that God does allow His people to DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. However, God does not say, "drink while you drive to the feast". God does not say, "drink until the alcohol inflames you." God does not say, "go to drinking parties, drink a lot, make a fool of yourself, bring dishonor on the name of God. God does not say these things! Now, read:
Proverbs 23:29-35 -
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions; quarrels? Who has babbling; complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 THOSE WHO LINGER LONG AT THE WINE, THOSE WHO GO IN SEARCH OF MIXED WINE.
31 Do not gaze passionately at the redness of wine, when it sparkles in the cup. It goes down sweetly.
32 But in the end it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will stare at strange women, and YOUR MIND WILL IMAGINE PERVERSE THINGS.
34 Yes, you will be like ONE WHO LIES DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA, OR LIKE ONE WHO LIES ON THE TOP OF A MAST.
35 You will say: They hit me, but it did not hurt. They beat me, but I did not feel it. WHEN WILL I WAKE UP, SO I CAN TAKE ANOTHER DRINK?
What brought on this sorrow spoken of here? This sorrow was not brought on by Obeying God! It was brought on by DRINKING TOO MUCH! It is not the drinking of alcohol which God CONDEMNS, rather it is DRUNKENNESS, drinking to the point of INTOXICATION.
Reading from the Encyclopedia Judaica, pages 237-238, we find this information concerning drinking and drunkenness.
In the Bible. Biblical, apocryphal, and ancient Near
Eastern references make it clear that, far from being
condemned, the use of alcoholic beverages was re-
garded by Jews and others as a necessary (Ecclus.
39:26; Pritchard, Texts, 598, line 89;602, line 32)
and distinctive (Ps. 104:15; Pritchard, Texts, 77c,
line 12ff.) feature of human life. A feast was in
conceivable without wine, and Proverbs 9:1 ff. speaks
of Wisdom personified offering food and wine. Indeed,
complete abstinence was associated with a turn-
ing away from civilization (Jer 35:see *Rechabites).
*Wine was valued for bringing joy and banishing
sorrow (Judg. 9:13; Ps. 104:15; cf. Pritchard, loc.
cit., line 21: Prov. 31:6-7; Eccles. 10:19; Ecclus. 31:27-
28; 40:20) and was used cultically in libations (Ex.
30:40-41) and the festive sacral meal (Deut. 14:26).
Intoxication, however, was deprecated (cf. Ecclus.
31:25-31; 39:27), both in the cult - in keeping with
the biblical rejestion of the Dionysiac element of
other ancient religions (Lev. 10:8-11; I Sam. 1:13-
16; Ezek. 44:21) - and in daily life. Wisdom literature
warns that drunkenness brings poverty, woes,
quarrels, wounds, strange visions, etc. (Prov. 20:1;
21:17; 23:19-21;29-35; 31:4-4; cf. I Esd. 3:19-24)
and causes kings to err in judgment (Prov. 31:4-
5; cf. Lev. 10:8-11 (priests); Isa. 28:7 (priest and
prophet). Several narratives depict the disgrace
and sometimes death of drunkards (Noah, Gen. 9:20-
27; Lot, Gen. 19:31-38; Nabal, I sam. 25:36; Amnon,
II Sam. 13:28029; Elah, I Kings 16:9; Ben-Hadad,
I Kings 20:16; Ahasuerus, Esth. 1:10; cf. Holofernes,
Judith 13:2). The prophets frequently condemn
drunkenness, particularly among the wealthy and
the leaders (Isa. 28:1 ff.; 56:11-12; cf. Prov. 31:4-
5), associating it with moral insensitivity (Isa. 5:11-
12, 22-23; Amos 2:8), licentiousness (Hos. 4:11-12,
18), and forgetting God (Hos. 4:11-12; cf. Job
1:4-5). Drunkenness and gluttony are among the
charges against the insubordinate son (Deut. 21:20).
The Interpreter's Bible Dictionary, on page 872, says this about drinking and drunkenness.
It was not only valued for giving pleasure and ban-
ishing sorrow (Judg. 9:13; Ps. 104:15; Prov. 31:6-
7); it had a place in the sacrificial meal (Deut. 14:26;
cf. I sam. 1:9, 12-16; Amos 2:8). Drinking to in-
toxication ([only figuratively]; Jer. 13:13; Ezek.
23:33), however, was a disgrace, and the exemplary
stories of the drunkenness of Noah (Gen. 9:20-27)
and Lot (19:31-38) serve to show to what immoral
uses the drunkard exposes himself. Drunk-
enness is associated with licentiousness in Hos.
4:11, 18 (cf. II Sam. 11:13). Drunkenness is related
of wealthy Nabal (I Sam. 25:36), and of the kings
Elah (I Kings 16:9), Ben-hadad (20:16), and
Ahasuerus (Esth. 1:10). The wisdom writers dis-
approve of it on utilitarian grounds (Prov. 20:1;
21:17; 23:20-21, 29-35); the prophets condemn it
in the leaders of the people for causing moral blind-
ness (Isa. 5:11-12, 28:7 ff; 56:11-12; Amos 6:6; cf.
Prov. 31:4-5).
The charge brought against the insubordinate son
by his parents epitomizes his corruption in the
phrase: "He is a glutton and a drunkard"
(Deut. 21:20). Priests must not take any strong drink
while on duty in the sanctuary (Lev. 10:8-9).
In the NT, too, drunkenness (Rom. 13:13;
I Pet. 4:3) is associated with debauchery
and Gentile depravity. a bishop may not be intem-
perate; (I Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7). Drunkards
will not inherit the kingdom of God
(I Cor. 6:10; Gal. 5:21), nor are they to be toler-
ated among the called out ones (I Cor. 5:11-13).
As the following Scriptures show, God CONDEMNS drinking until the alcohol INFLAMES and effects one's thinking. We are plainly told in the Scriptures to be MODERATE in our drinking and above all NOT TO BE DRUNK!
Romans 13:13 -
Let us walk properly, as in the daytime; NOT IN REVELRY AND DRUNKENNESS, not in sexual impurity and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy.
Proverbs 20:1 -
WINE IS A MOCKER, AND STRONG DRINK IS A BRAWLER, so whoever is deceived by them; not moderate with them, is not wise.
Philippians 4:5 -
LET YOUR MODERATION BE KNOWN TO ALL MEN; Yahweh is at hand.
The Scriptures are plain. we must always strive to be in CONTROL OF OUR MINDS. Jesus' own words tell us to never allow our minds to become clouded, so that we do not think clearly, whether with RECREATIONAL DRUGS OR THE DRUG OF DRUNKENNESS.
Luke 21:34 -
So be on your guard - see to it that YOUR MINDS ARE NEVER CLOUDED WITH CAROUSING, DRUNKENNESS, or anxieties and worries of this life - so that day will not come upon you unexpectedly.
The word clouded in this verse is translated from the Greek word bareo, which comes from the Hebrew word kabad.
Gesenius' Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon, page 781, shows us that kabad means dull, hindered in the use of the senses.
(1) TO BE HEAVY
From heavy things not being easily
moved, this verb is applied. . .
(5) to indolence, dullness, and to any
hindrance of the use of the senses; hence to be dull,
sluggish, of the eyes, Gen. 48:10; of the ears, Isa. 59:1;
also of the mind not easily moved, and
therefore ondurate, Exod. 9:7. In like
manner verbs of fatness are aplied to indolence;
We find these further instructions when we read:
Ephesians 5:18 -
And DO NOT BE DRUNK WITH WINE, IN WHICH IS EXCESS; but be filled with the Spirit.
[I would like to take the time here to tell you that I am unable to give you the info from the Greek because I do not have enough Greek special characters in this program. Therefore I will continue on with the Hebrew.]
The word drunk in this verse comes from the Hebrew word shakar. The meanings of the Hebrew word shakar, as shown in Gesenius Hebrew Lexicon, page 823, show us that being drunk means BEING OUT OF CONTROL OF ONE'S MIND AND ACTIONS.
Hagg. 1:6; to drink to hilarity,
Cant. 5:1; Gen. 43:34. It is very often -
(a) to make oneself drunken, Gen. 9:21; fol-
lowed by an soc. of the drink, Isaiah 29:9; 49:26;
followed by Isa. 51:21. Metaph. in the prophets
the wicked are said to be drunken, since they rush
by a kind of madness, upon their own destruction,
Isa. 29:9; 51:21; Lam. 4:21; Nah. 3:11.
According to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, the word drunk means having the faculties impaired by alcohol.
the faculties impaired by alcohol 2 : dominated by an intense feeling
(~ with power) 3 : of. relating to, or caused by intoxication
This is exactly the condition of a person who uses alcohol to the POINT OF DRUNKENNESS or who uses RECREATIONAL DRUGS TO ESCAPE REALITY. One's sense of righteousness and judgment is affected when one cannot think clearly, whether it is through recreational drugs or the drug of drunkenness.
Amos 6:12 -
Do horses run up rocky crags? Do men plow there with oxen? But YOU HAVE TURNED JUDGMENT INTO GALL, AND THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS INTO HEMLOCK; wormwood
Deuteronomy 29:18-19 -
18 . . .for fear there should be among you a ROOT THAT BRINGS FORTH GALL AND WORMWOOD - poison and bitterness: the consequences of practicing godworship (the worship of elohim and teraphim).
19 I solemnly entreat you to enter into the covenant and oath, so it will never come to pass, when that one hears the words of this curse, that he can congratulate and delude himself in his heart, and erroneously think: I will have peace and safety, even though I persist in going my own way. *GOD WILL HOLD ALL OF HIS SINS AGAINST HIM; HE HAS ACTED; SINNED, PRESUMPTUOUSLY. HE IS AS A DRUNKARD TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL
*Footnote Deuteronomy 29:19 - Hebrew clause lamon saphut haruh at hatzmah. Traditionally translated that the intoxication sweep away the thirst or so that the watered will be swept away with the dry. Dr. Solomon ben Yitzhak, in his Commentary in the Chumash, with Targum Onkelos, Haphtaroth, and Rashi's Commentary, Volume Devarim, Pages 146 and 228, shows that this phrase is correctly translated Yahweh will hold all of his sins against him; he has acted; sinned, presumptuously. He is as a drunkard totally out of control.
The whole world is deceived, as Revelation 12:9 says. We must not follow this Deceived World if we choose Eternal Life. We must follow the inspired Scriptures which were written for our correction. God tells us through:
Luke 7:33-35 -
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread or drinking wine; and you say; He has a demon.
34 THE SON OF MAN HAS COME EATING AND DRINKING; and you say; Look at Him! A gluttonous Man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
35 But wisdom is justified by all her children.
Understand the Word of God. He DOES NOT CONDEMN the use of little WINE, as Paul told Timothy. God does CONDEMN DRUNKENNESS, the drinking of too much alcohol, wherein is excess, as Ephesians 5:18 says.
What Do The Scriptures Really Teach?
Part III
God tells us over and over to be sober and to watch and pray always so that we may avoid the pitfalls of Satan who will use any means to cause us to fall away from God's Laws and House.
Luke 21:34-36 -
34 So be on your guard - see to it that your minds are NEVER CLOUDED WITH CAROUSING, DRUNKENNESS, or anxieties and worries of this life - so that day will not come upon you unexpectedly,
35 for it will come, like a trap, on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Because of this - WATCH, AND PRAY ALWAYS THAT YOU MAY BE ACCOUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
Proverbs 4:23 -
GUARD YOUR MIND WITH ALL DILIGENCE, for out of it flows the springs of life.
I Peter 4:7 -
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, BE SOBER AND WATCHFUL in your prayers.
1 Peter 5:8 -
BE SOBER, be vigilent; because your adversary, THE DEVIL, WALKS ABOUT LIKE A ROARING LION, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DESTROY:
The word sober in I Peter 4:7, is the Greek word sophreno, which the Analytical Greek Lexicon by Harper, page 396, shows us to mean: to be in one's right mind.
Yes, one must always be in one's RIGHT MIND in order to resist the adversary. When one is drunk or under the influence of RECREATIONAL DRUGS, one is definitely not in one's right mind and NOT CAPABLE OF RESISTING SATAN.
In the Law we see that the Priests who minister in God's presence were commanded NOT TO DRINK WINE OR STRONG DRINK when they entered the Tent of Meeting, or Temple.
Leviticus 10:9-11 -
9 DO NOT DRINK WINE NOR STRONG DRINK, you, nor your sons with you, WHEN YOU GO INTO THE TENT OF THE MEETING, or you shall die. It shall be a statute forever thorughout your generations.
10 You must distinguish between the holy and the unholy, and between the unclean and the clean,
11 And you must teach the children of Israel all the statutes which God has spoken to them, by the hand of Moses.
God's Sanctuary now functions as the Tent of Meeting of the Congregation. We are not to come into God's Sanctuary to worship Him with our minds clouded with alcoholic beverages! A person whose mind is clouded cannot learn ALL of God's Laws which the Ministers will teach. God commands His Ministers NOT TO DRINK ALCOHOL AT ALL before they minister to the congregation at God's Services. We must have our minds clear to come before God's presence! Even in the New World this statute will be taught and enforced.
Isaiah 44:21 -
NO PRIEST WILL DRINK ANY WINE, WHEN THEY ENTER INTO THE INNER COURT.
God instructs all of His people who are striving to have a part or office with His Holy Priesthood (those who have joined themselves to God's Work) NOT TO BE GIVEN TO MUCH WINE, but that they must be SOBER AND WATCHFUL.
I Timothy 3:1-3,8 -
1 This is a true saying: If a man desires the office of an elder, he desires a righteous work.
2 An elder, then, must be blameless, in unity as husband and wife, vigilent; alert, watchful, SOBER, OF RIGHTEOUS BEHAVIOR, given to hospitality, able to teach,
3 NOT GIVEN TO WINE, no striker, violent, not greedy for filthy lucre, but patient, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
8 In the same way, deacons must be grave; dignified, reverent, not double-tongued; equivocal, telling a different interpretation, NOT GIVEN TO MUCH WINE, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Titus 1:7-8 -
7 For an overseer must be blameless as the manager of The House of God; not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, no striker, violent, not greedy for filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of righteous men, SOBER, just, holy, temperate; self-controlled.
Titus 2:2-3 -
2 That the elders be SOBER, grave; dignified, reverent, temperate; self-controlled, and sound in the faith, in the love of God, and in patient endurance.
3 In the same way, the deaconesses be reverent in their behavior, not false accusers; gossips and slanderers, NOR GIVEN TO MUCH WINE, but teachers of righteous things
The word given in these verses is the Greek word prosecho, which, according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon, on page 546, means be addicted to.
The Apostle Paul wrote that he would not let himself become OVERPOWERED by or UNDER THE CONTROL OF even something that was lawfully allowed to him, such as alcohol or food. How much more, then, does this apply to things God condemns, such a recreational drugs.
I Corinthians 6:12 -
All lawful things are permissible for me, but not all things are advantageous. All lawful things are permissible for me but I WILL NOT BE OVERPOWERED BY ANY OF THEM
Notice that this Scripture describes perfectly the condition od addiction. Reading from Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament, by John Wesley, page 601, we find this written about I Corinthians 6:12.
. . .yet I will not be brought under the power of any - So as to be uneasy when I abstain from it; for, if so, then I am under the power of it.
Some would have us add to God's Commanded Word by banning ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES at God's Feasts. They seem to want to blame God's Law for their OWN WEAKNESS rather than striving to overcome the weakness they have.
But what about ALCOHOLICS? you may ask. Let me say that I have seen alcoholics turn to God's Way and overcome their problem. They now praise God for the knowledge thay have gained and the new freedom they now enjoy.
Researchers who have studied the drinking patterns of the Hebrew (Jewish) people have been amazed that DRUNKENNESS is virtually UNHEARD OF. The fact is really not amazing when one considers the Righteousness of God's Law in commanding that the drinking of alcoholic beverages be done in moderation. Where God's Law is taught and practiced, there is True Peace and Joy. Notice the following excerpt from the Encyclopedia Judaica, Volume 4, pages 239-240.
stems from the mystery of its being a non-
problem. . .Alcoholism and drunkenness have, in
fact, never been a serious social vice among
Jews. . .Writers in many countries during recent
centuries have commented on the comparative
sobriety of the Jews. Multinational statistics of
arrests for drunkenness, incidences of alcoholic
psychosis, and alcoholic admissions hospitals have
consistently revealed a marked underrepresentation
of Jews. From the 1940's, social scientists in the
United States have systematically studied drinking
patterns of Jewish youth and adults. The consistent
finding has been that proportionately more Jews
than any other ethnic or religious segments of the
population drink wine, beer, or spirits, but pro-
portionately fewer Jews are heavy drinkers or
alcoholics. Sophisticated socio-cultural-psychological
hypothesis . . .relate Jewish sobriety to the early
initiation of children in a family-centered, reli-
giously oriented, moderate drinking pattern. The
attitudinal values thus engendered are presumed
to prevent later excess in drinking.
God's Way is RIGHT! You will NOT HAVE SORROW OR WOE from obeying God! It is only when we disobey that hurt comes!
Use Alcohol sensibly, USE IT TO REJOICE BEFORE GOD and to His Glory! To use alcoholic drink in the wrong manner is to bring dishonor and condemnation upon ourselves.
The prophecies show us that mankind will NOT REPENT of drunkenness and the wrongful recreational use of drugs, before Jesus returns.
Revelation 9:29-21 -
20 And the rest of the men who were not killed by these plagues, STILL DID NOT REPENT OF THE WORKS OF THEIR HANDS, that they should not worship demons, and gods (elohim, teraphim) of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk;
21 NEITHER DID THEY REPENT OF THEIR MURDERS, NOR OF THEIR SORCERIES, NOR OF THEIR FORNICATION, NOR OF THEIR THEFTS.
The word sorceries in Revelation 9:21 refers directly to those who traffic in, and use MIND ALTERING DRUGS FOR RECREATIONAL USE. The word sorceries is the Greek word pharmakeia which is listed as word #5331 in Strong's Greek Dictionary, which comes from word #5332.
5332; medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extens.)
magic (lit. or fig.): - sorcery, witchcraft.
5332. pharmakeus, far-mak-yoos'; from
pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spelling-giving
potion); a druggist ("pharmacist") or poisoner, i.e.
(by extens.) a magician: - sorcerer.
Vine's Expository Dictionary, pages 1064 and 1065, tells us this about SORCERERS and SORCERY.
nifiying 'devoted to magical arts,' is used as a noun,
a sorcerer, especially one who uses drugs, potions,
spells, enchantments. . .In sorcery, the use of drugs,
whether simple, or potent, was generally accompa-
nied by incantations and appeals to occult powers,
with the provision of various charms, amulets, etc.,
professedly designed to keep the applicant or pa-
tient from the attention and power of demons, but
actually to impress the applicant with the myste-
rious resources and powers of the sorcerer.
As the meanings of these words show, the USE OF MIND ALTERING, RECREATIONAL DRUGS IS GODWORSHIP, which is nothing more than the worship of Satan the devil who has the whole world deceived (Revelation 12:9). Notice the following Scripture.
II Corinthians 4:4 -
FOR THE GOD (EL) OF THIS WORLD (SATAN) HAS BLINDED THE MINDS OF THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE, so that the light of the message of the glory of the Messiah, Who is the image of God, should not shine unto them.
The word translated blinded is the Greek word tuphloo and according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon, page 633, means "to blunt the mental discernment and darken the mind."
This is a perfect description of what occurs to a person who uses recreational DRUGS TO ESCAPE REALITY - whether they are the drugs listed earlier in this article ot the drug of DRUNKENNESS.
The Scriptures tell us that when one WEAKENS one's mind with recreational drugs or with drunkenness, that one opens the mind to DEMONIC INFLUENCES and even DEMON POSSESSION. Thayer's Greek Lexicon on page 649, under the word pharmakeia (sorcery) refers us to the Hebrew word lahatim. According to the Hebrew-Aramaic-English Dictionary by Marcus Jastrow, page 693, the word lahatim tells us that SORCERY (recreational drug use and drunkenness) is the WORK OF DEMONS.
Notice now what God says about those whom He calls out, but who REFUSE TO REPENT for using recreational drugs or drunkenness
I Corinthians 6:9-10 -
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 -
19 For THE WORKS OF THE FLESH ARE OBVIOUS, WHICH ARE THESE: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness,
20 Godworship (the worship of elohim), SORCERY, hatred, contentions, evil jealousies, rage, selfish ambitions, dissensions, disagreements with quarreling, heresies; sects or factions of division,
21 Envy, murders, DRUNKENNESS, revelries, and the like; of which I warn you beforehand, just as I did in times past, that THOSE WHO PRACTICE SUCH THINGS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Revelation 21:8 -
But the fearful, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and WORSHIPERS OF GODS (elohim), and all liars, WILL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE WHICH BURNS WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE - which is the second death.
We know drugs will not be thrown into the lake of fire - PEOPLE WILL!
Therefore, this word sorcerer is not referring to the drugs, but to the people who use and sell drugs as having their part in the LAKE OF FIRE!
This excerpt from Reader's Digest, August, 1983, page 135, states:
dreaded enemy, the tons of heroin from Asia, the
mountains of cocaine from Bolivia and Peru, the end-
less supply of marijuana, quaaludes, and other il-
licit drugs from Columbia - and from American farms
and laboratories - are wrecking this society. Indeed,
no Soviet espionage team could weaken America's
military preparedness to the extent that drug abuse
is rendering us naked to our enemies.
The curse of drugs has seeped down through our
colleges and high schools into our elementary
schools. Illegal drugs are playing havoc with our
business communities, with sales of marijuana,
heroin and cocaine commonplace on Wall Street.
Drug abuse has become the scourge of professional
athletics, the curse of our entertainment world from
Hollywood to Braodway, a shame of Congress. It is
a tragedy that touches every type of family in this
land.
by Carl T. Rowan
Not only will the black-market drug users and drug dealers suffer, if they do not repent, but doctors who dispense the abominable, government controlled drugs for ILLICIT PURPOSES, will suffer if they do not REPENT!
How you react to this knowledge is your prerogative. It is God's prerogative to throw DRUG USERS INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE! Whether they are addicts or moderate users, it is SIN with the same wages - DEATH BY FIRE!
To those God calls out who are ensnared by DRUNKENNES OR DRUG ABUSE, He says "REPENT!"
When Jesus the Messiah was SUFFERING TERRIBLY and was nailed to the cross, something was offered to him to EASE THE PAIN.
Mark 15:23 -
Then they gave Him WINE MINGLED WITH MYRRH TO DRINK, but He would not accept it
The word myrrh in this verse is listed as word #4669 in Strong's Greek Dictionary and means a narcotic.
Matthew 27:34 -
They offered Him WINE TO DRINK, MIXED WITH GALL; an opiate - but when He tasted it, HE WOULD NOT DRINK IT.
Although it would NOT HAVE BEEN A SIN, Jesus refused to take a NARCOTIC DRUG for the intense pain He was suffering. Jesus knew that His suffering and death were in FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECIES comcerning Himself.
The Scriptures plainly show that in order to be the Perfect Sacrifice for sin it was NECESSARY FOR JESUS TO BEAR ALL THE SUFFERING, in His own body, that sin brings.
I Peter 2:24 -
Who HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE, that we, having died to sins, should live for righteousness; BY WHOSE STRIPS YOU WERE HEALED.
In order for Jesus to pay the death penalty for us, that OUR sins earned, He had to endure the great pain that was inflicted upon Him.
Isaiah 53:4-5 -
4 Surely HE HAS BORNE OUR GRIEFS AND CARRIED OUR SORROWS; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 BUT HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES; THE CHASTISEMENT FOR OUR PEACE WAS UPON HIM, AND BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.
Jesus was well aware of God's prophecies, as we read in:
Mark 9:31 -
Because He was teaching His disciples, and telling them: THE SON OF MAN IS BEING DELIVERED INTO THE HANDS OF MEN, AND THEY SHALL KILL HIM; and after He is killed, He will be raised up on the third day.
If Jesus had taken the narcotic drug that was offered to Him and ALLOWED THE PAIN TO BE NUMBED, He would not have SUFFERED as the Prophecies said He MUST. He would NOT THEN HAVE BORNE OUR SINS in His body and would NOT HAVE QUALIFIED to be our Savior.
No, it is NOT A SIN to use certain drugs or chemicals if it is done for a genuine medical condition and in the amount prescribed by a legitimate physician. The Scriptures do not condemn ALL DRUG USE. We need to be very careful, if we do take any medication, that we do not deceive ourselves and allow our minds to become clouded by taking drugs for PLEASURE'S SAKE.
Recreational drug use (which includes the sin of drunkenness) is one of Satan's GREATEST TOOLS in deceiving the whole world. There is simply no way a person whose mind is clouded with recreational drugs can discern RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM EVIL. And, as the news media continue to report, the use of recreational drugs by today's society continues to grow worse.
To understand how drug use has spread throughout history, let us look at the GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM that was formed by Nimrod.
Genesis 10:8-10 -
8 Cush begot NIMROD; HE BEGAN TO BE A MIGHTY ONE ON THE EARTH.
9 He was a tyrant who deceived, who turned against God; therefore it is said: Like NIMROD THE TYRANT WHO DECEIVED, WHO TURNED AGAINST GOD.
10 And the BEGINNING OF HIS KINGDOM WAS BABEL, ERECH, ACCAD, AND ALL OF THEM IN THE LAND OF SHINAR; that is, Babylon.
Nimrod systematically organized the people in turning against God's Laws. This GEO-POLITICAL-RELIGIOUS-BEASTLY SYSTEM became known as BABYLON, which means confused, and gate of god.
In the Encyclopedia Britannica Micropedia, Volume 4, page 233, we find that the oldest catalogue of drugs was from ANCIENT BABYLON
pharmacopoeia) is a stone tablet from ancient
Babylonia (c. 1700BC).
From the New Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 4, page 1064, we learn that drug use SPREAD from Babylon to the Greeks and Arabs and eventually throughout the Roman Empire.
Its medical use for relief of pain was known to
the Greeks and Arabs, and spread throughout the
Roman Empire.
Throughout the Holy Scriptures we find that the BABYLONIAN SYSTEM, which was in opposition to God's Laws, NEVER DIED. It merely changed names as it spread throughout the world with the same practices of GODWORSHIP, including the use of DRUGS FOR PLEASUE AND ESCAPE. The Book of Revelation shows us this same Satan inspired Babylonian Religious-Governmental System, very active ih these last days. Satan, by continually teaching against God and His Laws, has caused the inhabitants of this world to act as one who is DRUNK, EMPTY-HEADED, AND OUT OF CONTROL.
Revelation 17:3-5,2 -
3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the midst of godworshipers (worshipers of Elohim); and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, HAVING A GOLDEN CUP IN HER HAND FULL OF ABOMINATIONS AND FILTHINESS OF HER FORNICATION.
5 And upon her head was a name written: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication; practicing idolatry: godworship (the worship of elohim), and THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH HAVE BEEN MADE DRUNK WITH THE WINE OF HER FORNICATION.
Drug use has VICTIMIZED THE YOUND AND OLD of all nations. The use of drugs causes drug users to "THINK THEY SEE AND REALIZE WONDERFUL THINGS that they never knew before". They encourage others to use drugs so they can feel and see the same things. All these people are DECEIVED BY SATAN through Nimrod's Babylonian Confusion!
Revelation 18:23 -
And the light of a lamp will shine no more at all in you. And the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will be heard no more at all in you - for your merchants were the great men of the earth; for BY YOUR SORCERIES ALL THE NATIONS WERE DECEIVED.
Earlier in this article we saw that the word sorceries comes from the Greek word pharmakeia, which means drugs! Satan is USING RECREATIONAL DRUGS (including drunkenness) to help him deceive the world into forgetting God and His Laws!
SATAN IS USING RECREATIONAL DRUGS, INCLUDING DRUNKENNESS, to try to turn all people to the One World Religion And Governmemt first established by Nimrod, and soon to be established by Satan.
If you care anything about your Eternal Life, don't be an IDOLATROUS PARTAKER of Nimrod's religion by CLOUDING YOUR MIND with Satan inspired recreational drugs! Remember the WARNING GIVEN to us in God's Law.
Deuteronomy 29:18-19 -
18 I solemnly entreat you to enter into the covenant and oath, for fear that there may be among you a man, woman, clan, or tribe this day whose heart would turn away from God our Father; to go and worship the gods (elohim) of those nations; for fear there should be among you A ROOT THAT BRINGS FORTH GALL AND WORMWOOD - poison, and bitterness: the consequences of practicing godworship (the worship of elohim and teraphim).
19 I solemnly entreat you to enter into thee covenant and oath, so it will never come to pass, when that one hears the words of this curse, that he can congratulate and delude himself in his heart, and erroneously think: I will have peace and safety, even though I persist in going my own way. GOD WILL HOLD ALL OF HIS SINS AGAINST HIM; HE HAS ACTED: SINNED, PRESUMPTUOUSLY. HE IS AS A DRUNKARD TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL.
God tells us that RECREATIONAL DRUG USERS and DRUNKARDS will not have a part in His Kingdom. Notice where they will end.
Galatians 5:19-21 -
19 For THE WORKS OF THE FLESH ARE OBVIOUS, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness,
20 GODWORSHIP (THE WORSHIP OF ELOHIM), SORCERY, hatred, contentions, evil jealousies, rage, selfish ambitions, dissensions; disagreements with quarreling, heresies; sects or factions of division,
21 Envy, murders, DRUNKENNESS, revelries, and the like; of which I warn you beforehand, just as I did in times past, that THOSE WHO PRACTICE SUCH THINGS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Revelation 21:8 -
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and SORCERERS, AND WORSHIPERS OF GODS (ELOHIM), and all liars, WILL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE WHICH BURNS WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE - WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH.
Revelation 22:15 -
For outside are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and worshipers of gods (elohim) and EVERYONE WHO PROFESSES TO LOVE, YET PRACTICES BREAKING THE LAW.
We are living in the END TIMES. The return of Jesus the Messiah and the establishment of the Kingdom of God is at hand. Therefore, let us obey God and BE SOBER so that we may be able to STAND RIGHTEOUSLY BEFORE GOD.
1 Peter 4:7 -
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, BE SOBER AND WATCHFUL IN YOUR PRAYERS.
Luke 21:34-36 -
34 So be on your guard - SEE TO IT THAT YOUR MINDS ARE NEVER CLOUDED WITH CAROUSING, DRUNKENNESS, or anxieties and worries of this life - so that day will not come upon you unexpectedly.
35 For it will come, like a trap, on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Because of this - watch, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
I never have and never will believe that drug and alcohol abuse is what society tells us is A DISEASE! I'm tired of society making excuses for it. Where you were brought up, how you were brought up, you came from a broken home, child abuse, sexual abuse, etc. It's nothing more than laying the guilt and blame on someone or something else. Drugs and alcoholism is a CHOICE not a disease and there are many who have come through any or all of the mentioned excuses and have NOT become addicts or drunkards. And what about the addicts or drunkards to whom none of those excuses apply. Drugs and alcohol destroys and kills more than just the user or abuser. Anyone and everyone who is connected to that person is affected. It destroys relationships and families. It break hearts. Ask any mother who has lost a child because of drugs or alcohol.we have several grown children whom use all forms of Addictions in our family unit. They had us a role models in their very early childhood training whom at the time didn't know how far this would go on into there very own life at the time of our own addctions till we came unto the Lord at our own conversion as being a child of God today and we see that result of what had been shown unto them that stayed with each child that we have raised and can see right through them as a mirroed glass reflections has come back for us to see as one's parents.
Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
Those who tarry long over wine;
those who go to try mixed wine.
Do not look at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup
and goes down smoothly.
In the end it bites like a serpent
and stings like an adder.
Your eyes will see strange things,
and your heart utter perverse things.
You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
like one who lies on the top of a mast.
“They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt;
they beat me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake?
I must have another drink.”
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
The Bible doesn't directly say any thing about cigarettes. The Bible does
talk about our responsibility to take care of our body. (1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?) In this passage Paul has been talking about people who are living sexually immoral lives. He tells them that they are defiling the body that God gave them. Many principles can be drawn from this verse.
What does the Bible say about smoking cigarettes?
The Holy Spirit dwells in us and when we do things that hurt our body we are destroying the abode for God's Spirit. We know that cigarettes destroy our body. My grandfather had terrible bouts in his older years with emphazemia and cancer due to smoking. With all the studies and knowledge we have today we know that cigarettes will destroy our bodies which is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Is it against the word of God to drink wine or alcoholic beverages, could
you please tell me. And also about women Pastors and Bishops, and Apostles as leaders, not speakers.
As to the drinking of wine and other alcoholic beverages the inference in
scripture is that wine was consumed with meals. However, we are told that
the wine of that day was much less potent with alcohol that the commercial
products of today. There are numerous scriptures that condemn drunkenness
as a sin, and one must be very careful in the consumption of alcoholic
beverages of any kind lest one fall into drunkenness and the trap of
alcoholism. In that time they had few beverages safe to drink, and today
that is not the situation. We need to keep in mind the dangers of alcohol
consumption and our influence on others as well.
Women are forbidden to have a leadership role in the church when she would
be teaching or exercising authority over man (1Timothy 2:11-15). In giving
the qualifications of elders or bishops the scripture is plain that these
officers should be men as it is specified that a bishop should be the
husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:1-7). There are no modern day apostles as
apostles had to have been eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus (Acts 1:22).
The apostle Paul indicates that was the purpose of Christ appearing unto him
on the Damascus road (1 Corinthians 15:8 see also Acts 9).
I would like Bible references to all scriptures related to Drinking or
"social drinking" when answering my question.
Is social drinking scripturally wrong in and of itself or because of the
example you might set for non-Christians?
To my knowledge there are no scriptures that deal with social drinking, but
there are numerous scriptures condemning drunkenness. Some of the New
Testament scriptures on that subject are; Matthew 24:49; Luke 21:34;Rom.
13:13; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:7. There are
numerous passages concerning influence but you did not ask for those, as you
contemplate drinking on a social level you might consider Colossians 3:17
and 2 Corinthians 10:23-33.
PHARMAKEIA:Drugs and Sorcery at the End of the Age.
Most of us, when asked for Biblical signs warning of the nearness of the last days will mention Israel, or perhaps the Global Economy. Some will mention the famines, earthquakes and diseases; the "wars and rumors of wars" that sweep our planet.
Few, however, will think to mention DRUGS, SORCERY and religious DECEPTION as significant of the end times.
Even though these are foreshadowed in Scripture, they are only brought to notice through careful study with a Bible in one hand and newspaper in the other. So if you think your favorite recreational drug "isn't mentioned in the Bible", you have another think coming, because what you are doing falls under the heading of "pharmakeia", or in English, "sorcery", as we will prove in the following paragraphs.
The worldwide spread of psychedelic (Peyote, LSD); narcotic (heroin); and hypnotic (hashish) drugs fulfills the prophetic scriptures as one o of two forms of SORCERY that would lead the nations into rejection of Christ, and bring them into their final destruction as slaves of the Man of Sin, the Antichrist, under a New World Order at the end of the age.
Some may wonder why marijuana/hashish is included here. It's included because it, like the other drugs, produces an ALTERED STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS that leaves the user open to hypnotic, and therefore demonic suggestion. In the Old Testament, God forbids his people to engage in "enchantment" (hypnosis) and witchcraft (sorcery).
The following Hebrew words as defined in Strong's Concordance illustrate this altered state and it's occultic roots:
Strong's # 2267: cheber (kheh'-ber); from 2266; a society; also a spell: KJV-- + charmer (-ing), company, enchantment, X wide. (DIC)
Strong's # 3908: lachash (lakh'-ash);from 3907; properly, a whisper, i.e. by implication, (in a good sense) a private prayer, ( in a bad one) an incantation; concretely, an amulet: KJV-- charmed, earring, enchantment, orator, prayer. (DIC)
Strong's # 3909: lat (lawt); a form of 3814 or else participle from 3874; properly, covered, i.e. secret; by implication, incantation; also secrecy or (adverb) covertly: -enchantment, privily, secretly, softly. (DIC)
Enter: the New Testament
Jesus warned us in Matthew 24 of these things that would mark the last days before his second coming. Of religious DECEPTION, he says:"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt 24:24 (KJV)This verse is one of five or six times the Bible mentions MIRACLES in connection with DECEPTION in the last days. The fate of those who are so deceived is shown in Matthew 7:21-23:
"Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons AND PERFORM MANY MIRACLES?' Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"The means of this deception looks religious and perhaps even doctrinally plausible, but the methods of performing miracles is NOT. There is, in addition to false doctrine, a visible, hands on method by which the nations are being deceived and led into Hell. That method is SORCERY, and/or "witchcraft".
The New Testament mentions TWO kinds of sorcery: MAGIC (In Greek, "mageia") and DRUGS (In Greek, "pharmakeia"). The New Testament was originally written in Greek, and the distinction between these two types of witchcraft has been lost in the translation. But our Strong's Concordance and Vine's Dictionary of New Testament Words spotlight these deceptions, helping us to identify them so that we may take warning:
MAGEIA
(magic) The following is a Biblical example of MAGIC being used to lead others astray:"Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his MAGIC." --Acts 8:9-11 (NIV)The Greek word for "magic" is listed in Strong's Dictionary:
Strong's # 3095: mageia (mag-i'-ah); from 3096; "magic": KJV-- sorcery. (DIC)
PHARMAKEIA
(sorcery, witchcraft)"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and WITCHCRAFT; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. --Gal 5:19-21 (NIV)The Greek word here used for "witchcraft" is:
Strong's # 5331:pharmakeia (far-mak-i'-ah); from 5332; medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extension) magic (literally or figuratively): KJV-- sorcery, witchcraft. (DIC)
Vine's Dictionary brings this into perspective with the following:
SORCERY:
"Pharmakeia" (Eng., pharmacy etc.) primarily signified the use of medicine, DRUGS, SPELLS; then, POISONING; then, SORCERY, Galatians 5:20, R.V., "sorcery" (A.V., "witchcraft"), mentioned as one of "the works of the flesh." See also Rev. 9:21; 18:23
In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament ca. 200 B.C.), Ex. 7:11,22; 8:7, 18; Isa. 47:9,12
"In sorcery, the use of DRUGS, whether simple or potent, was generally accompanied by INCANTATIONS and appeals to OCCULT powers, with the provision of various charms, amulets, etc., professedly designed to keep the applicant or patient from the attention and power of demons, but actually to impress the applicant with the mysterious resources and powers of the sorcerer."
So in conclusion, the person who uses ANY of the drugs mentioned here is giving himself over to the will of another--that chief Sorcerer himself--Satan, the enemy of our souls. Christ died to save us from slavery of sin, from the power of Satan and the penalty of Hell.
When a believer engages in these activities, he is in effect denying his Lord the honor due him: who's shed blood purchased the believer's eternal redemption. The Bible says:
"You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." -1 Corinthians 7:23The Bible further warns those who don't believe that if they persist in their rejection of Christ, a strong delusion will come upon them after the Rapture, (see 2 Thessalonians chapter 2) and they will go into the Tribulation UNABLE to repent:
"Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts."--Rev 9:21
"The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world's great men. By your MAGIC spell all the nations were led astray."--Rev 18:23
THE DOOM OF THE DEAD:
the final resting place of both the Deceiver and the decieved. God has warned us ahead of time. NOW is the day of salvation."And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."--Rev 20:12-15What do some of the great minds of the past have to say about drinking?
Shakespeare: “Alcohol is a poison men take into the mouth to steal away the brain.”
Gladstone: “Strong drink is more destructive than war, pestilence and famine.”
Sir Wilfred Lawson: “The devil in solution.”
Abraham Lincoln: “A cancer in human society, eating out its vitals and threatening its destruction.”
Robert Hall: “Distilled damnation.”
Lord Chesterfield: “An artist in human slaughter.”
Ruskin: “The most criminal and artistic method of assassination ever invented by the bravos of any age or nation.”
General Pershing: “Drunkenness has killed more men than all of history's wars.”
General Robert E. Lee: “My experience thru life has convinced me that abstinence from spiritous liquors is the best safeguard to morals and health.”
We can accept these truths or remain in denial about all of them which is as defined "As a false system of one's own beliefs that are not based on reality" and a " self - protecting behaviors that keeps us from honestly facing those truths." For a lengths of time in one's own life and it's own coping skills. They came in handy when we didn't get ones full attion from one's parents or others in and around our life which blocks ones own pains and fears. bUT AS ONES OWN YEARS PROGRESSED IT Literaly kept us confused and cloded one's own views of such bibilcial truths in our lives. As we grew, our preceptions of self and our expectation of all those around us grew. But because of ones childhoodd methods of coping, our preceptions of reality became increasingly more unreasonable, unrealistic and very distorted.Oue coping skills grew into denial, and most of our relationships ended up broken or less fulling than they could have been. We must first face ones own denial is the first step we need to take in ones own recovery, we must admit our denial In [Jeremiah 6:14 TL.B] SAYS " You can't heal a wound by saying it's not there!"
Prayer for Serenity
Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is; not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right; If I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen,
~Reinhold Niebuhur
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is; not as I would have it; trusting that You the next. AMEN
- I hoI pe and pray that this helps anyone whom has someone whom is in any kind of addcition in within your family unitReinhold Niebuhr -THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
THE TWELVE STEP
S AND
Twelve Steps
and
Their Biblical Comparisons1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. I know that nothing good lives in me,
that is, in my sinful nature.
For I have the desire to do what is good,
but I cannot carry it out.
Romans 7:182. We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. For it is God who works in you to will
and to act according to his good purpose.
Philippians 2:133. We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God. Therefore, I urge you, brothers,
in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies
as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God
- this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:14. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the Lord.
Lamentations 3:405. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Therefore confess your sins to each other
and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
James 5:166. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Humble yourselves before the Lord,
and he will lift you up.
James 4:107. We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings. If we confess our sins, he is faithful
and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:98. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:319. We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar
and there remember that your brother has something against you,
leave your gift there in front of the altar.
First go and be reconciled to your brother;
then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23-2410. We continue to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. So, if you think you are standing firm,
be careful that you don't fall!
1 Corinthians 10:1211. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us, and power to carry that out. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Colossians 3:1612. Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin,
you who are spiritual should restore them gently.
But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Galatians 6:1
THEIR BIBLICAL COMPARISONS
1. We admitted we were powerless over
our addictions and compulsive behaviors. That our
The Road to Recovery 8 Principles Based on the BEATITUDES (Matthew 5:3-10) R = realize I'm not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable.
"Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor."E = earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to him, and that He has the power to help me recover.
"Happy are those who morn, for they shall be comforted."C = consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control.
"Happy are the meek."O = openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself, and to another person whom I trust.
"Happy are the pure in heart."V = voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life and humbly ask him to remove my character defects.
"Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires."E = evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I've done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others.
"Happy are the merciful." "Happy are the peacemakers."R = reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. Y = yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.
"Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires."livesPrayeryeecome unmanageable.
THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
s I am praying that this will help anyone whom has any family member whom is in anykind of addiction in your familly unit that there is help in this world that will and can help a person in thisa area. I've been there and now have 15 yrs in many of it's offered help in recovery.I've found that celebrate recovery has indeed inhance my spiritual reovery in my own life and have women whom keeps me very accountable in living in the Lord today. Which makes me very , very greatful for them in reovery. catcmo2006nht if I surrender to your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. AMEN
- Reinhold Niebuhr -Serenity
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is; not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. AMEN
- Reinhold Niebuhr -ood lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (Romans 7:18)
2. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. (Lamentations 3:40)
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (James 5:16a)
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)
7. Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31)
9. Made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and power to carry that out.
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Colossians 3:16a)
12. Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and practice these principles in all our affairs.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
- All scripture quoted from the New International Version.
Eight Recovery Principles
based on the BEATITUDES
by Pastor Rick Warren
R= Principle 1 -
Realize I'm not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable."Happy are those who know they are spiritually poo
E= Principle 2 -
Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to him, and that he has the power to help me recover."Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted"
C= Principle 3 -
Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control."Happy are the meek"
O= Principle 4 -
Openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself, and to another person whom I trust."Happy are the pure in heart"
V= Principle 5 -
Voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life."Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires"
E= Principle 6 -
Evaluate all my relationships; Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I've done to others when possible, without expecting any reward."Happy are the merciful" "Happy are the peacemakers"
R= Principle 7 -
Reserve a daily time with God for prayer, Bible reading, and self-examination in order to know God and his will for my life and to gain the power to follow his will.Y= Principle 8 -
Yield myself to be used by God to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.I know that nothing g
Prayer for
Prayer for Serenity
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, a s I am praying that this will help anyone whom has any family member whom is in anykind of addiction in your familly unit that there is help in this world that will and can help a person in thisa area. I've been there and now have 15 yrs in many of it's offered help in recovery.I've found that celebrate recovery has indeed inhance my spiritual reovery in my own life and have women whom keeps me very accountable in living in the Lord today. Which makes me very , very greatful for them in reovery. catcmo2006nht if I surrender to your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. AMEN
- Reinhold Niebuhr -Serenity
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is; not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. AMEN
- Reinhold Niebuhr -ood lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (Romans 7:18)
2. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13)
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. (Lamentations 3:40)
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (James 5:16a)
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)
7. Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31)
9. Made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and power to carry that out.
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Colossians 3:16a)
12. Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and practice these principles in all our affairs.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
- All scripture quoted from the New International Version.
Eight Recovery Principles
based on the BEATITUDES
by Pastor Rick Warren
R= Principle 1 -
Realize I'm not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable."Happy are those who know they are spiritually poo
E= Principle 2 -
Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to him, and that he has the power to help me recover."Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted"
C= Principle 3 -
Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control."Happy are the meek"
O= Principle 4 -
Openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself, and to another person whom I trust."Happy are the pure in heart"
V= Principle 5 -
Voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life."Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires"
E= Principle 6 -
Evaluate all my relationships; Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I've done to others when possible, without expecting any reward."Happy are the merciful" "Happy are the peacemakers"
R= Principle 7 -
Reserve a daily time with God for prayer, Bible reading, and self-examination in order to know God and his will for my life and to gain the power to follow his will.Y= Principle 8 -
Yield myself to be used by God to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.
posted by Anonymous @ 12:31 PM
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