Drugs, Alcohol, Caffiene, and Modern Medicine... ?

[TaylorDonBarret]

I am interested in hearing your opinion.

The Bible is clear that drunkenness and sorcery are both sins.

Now, most Christians believe that Jesus turned water into alcoholic wine and that Israel was permitted to drink both alcoholic wine and also whiskey ("strong drink") in moderation. I do not object to this view, I think the plain reading of the bible agrees with it.

However, the words used to condemn sorcery (Pharmakeia in Greek and Kashaph in Hebrew) both refer to the use of herbs/drugs.

So what exactly is sorcery? Would the useage of any substance with the intent to intoxicate ones self or to alter ones mood be a good definition of sorcery? And if so, wouldnt caffiene use be sorcery also ?

If we can use alcohol in moderation, and caffiene in moderation, can we also use marijuana and other drugs in moderation?

What about modern medicine? what seperates medicine from other drugs?

 

[Chad]

Good questions @TaylorDonBarret

Scripture from a few perspectives to consider.

Heart
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Mind
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Actions
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Physical Health
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

In regards to sorcery:

Leviticus 19:31
“Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God."

Galatians 5:19-21
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.

Portion from gotquestions.org

The apostle Paul lists sorcery as one of many sinful practices that mark the lives of unbelievers: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife . . . 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” (Galatians 5:19-21).

Interestingly, the New Testament Greek word translated “sorcery” is pharmakeia, which is the source of our English word pharmacy. In Paul’s day, the word primarily meant “dealing in poison” or “drug use” and was applied to divination and spell-casting because sorcerers often used drugs along with their incantations and amulets to conjure occult power.

Sorcerers were common in the culture of ancient Egypt (Exodus 7:11; Isaiah 19:3). We also see sorcery in the kingdom of Babylon, especially in association with King Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 27:9; Daniel 2:2).

Sorcery is an attempt to bypass God’s wisdom and power and give glory to Satan instead. God has no tolerance for sorcery. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, sorcery is listed among the sinful practices of the nations surrounding Israel. God calls it an abomination: “There shall not be found among you . . . anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you.”
​

I don't believe caffeine would fall into sorcery at all. As for marijuana, yes I would classify it as sinful for the fact that it harms the temple and it manipulates the mind and heart.

 

[TaylorDonBarret]

just speaking for myself, i do not think that marijuana would manipulate my mind or heart much more than caffiene. I have a long history of drug use in my past and since becoming christian i have stopped using caffiene and when i do use it i almost feel like i am being convicted by the holy spirit that it is a sin to do so. just logically speaking, it seems to me that any substance used to artificially enhance mood/energy/perception could possibly fall under "sorcery", or at the least they would fall into the same category.

On the other hand, i contracted HIV due to my pre-conversion addictions and lifestyle, and so i take 3 different medications every day in order to keep my viral load down. and i am wondering if this is also sorcery "pharmakeia" (which means pharmaceutical) ??

 

[Wired 4 Fishen]

just speaking for myself, i do not think that marijuana would manipulate my mind or heart much more than caffiene. I have a long history of drug use in my past and since becoming christian i have stopped using caffiene and when i do use it i almost feel like i am being convicted by the holy spirit that it is a sin to do so. just logically speaking, it seems to me that any substance used to artificially enhance mood/energy/perception could possibly fall under "sorcery", or at the least they would fall into the same category.

On the other hand, i contracted HIV due to my pre-conversion addictions and lifestyle, and so i take 3 different medications every day in order to keep my viral load down. and i am wondering if this is also sorcery "pharmakeia" (which means pharmaceutical) ??

Some times something lets say chocolate for this example, may be fine for every one but for Mr. Good it is not good for him and so God said it is sin for Mr Good....You or I can eat chocolate with no second thought but if Mr. Good eats it well, he gets convicted because God had said NO chocolate......

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
Romans 14:23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
Romans 14:14I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.
But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.
1 Timothy 4:4 For everything God created is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Genesis 2:5 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

 

[twc130]

sorcery is a perfect explanation for drugs.----


1-when a person takes a hit of crack {cocaine} for the most part becomes totally different-robot like-one mind one idea-which is to get more----


2-pot smokers get on my nerves-u know that glassy eye look and laughing at stupid thing-------

 

[Curtis]

Marijuana might seem harmless, but it leads people to do "stupid" things. I know because I have smoked enough pot to kill a horse in my younger years. You can not drive 10 MPH down Beach Blvd when the speed limit is 50 MPH. Thank God for prescription drugs that is able to allow people to live longer lives. If our faith is weak, we better go to the doctor.