Tag Archives: marijuana

Pharmakia

Posted on June 19, 2021 by expressyourself4him

The Greek word pharmakia appears five times in the New Testament. Outside of the book of Revelation, the only other reference of pharmakia occurs in the passage below. Pharmakia is where we derive the English term pharmacy. However, this word can also refer to sorcery and witchcraft. What the apostle Paul is trying to express in the acts of the sinful nature is that human bodies can come under the influence of a foreign spirit such as wine or a demonic entity.

Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), Galatians 5:20.

In the passage below, one of Jesus’ disciples has a vision of the future. This image narrows in on what will happen in the last days on the earth. According to John, there will be a lack of personal responsibility. Instead of confessing sins, people will choose to justify and rationalize their own actions. This form of denial is similar to an individual under the influence of a drug who is not in their right mind.

And the rest of humanity who were not killed by these plagues even then did not repent of [the worship of] the works of their [own] hands, so as to cease paying homage to the demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor move. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their practice of magic (sorceries) or their sexual vice or their thefts, Revelation 9:20-21.

If Satan can appear as an angel of light, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, what you see can be deceiving. The term sober is found 12 times in the Bible. If your mind is affected by some form of pharmakia, your decision making will be impaired. Therefore, if you want to overcome the various temptations which lurk around every corner in life, being sober is essential. Despite laws to legalize marijuana, a gateway drug, be sober so that you can take your stand against future Satanic schemes, Ephesians 6:12.

by Jay Mankus

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Elevation or Heresy?

Posted on August 25, 2017 by expressyourself4him

In this age of Progressivism, bizarre news stories once thought to be a joke are now becoming reality.  Such is the case of a new church in Denver, Colorado known as the International Church of Cannabis.  According to a recent interview with the pastor by Jesse Watters, this church uses marijuana as a Holy Sacrament to reach a new level of faith.  Is this new practice a form of elevation or merely heresy?

Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things, Proverbs 23:33.

The context of the passage above refers to drinking too much vine.  The consequence of doing such a thing can result in hallucinations.  If you pass by liquor stores in your community, you might see the words Wine and Spirits.  The spirit part eludes to the passage above.  Since alcohol is a drug, cannabis produces a similar state.  The question is does God want his worshippers to experience this high in church?

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble, Romans 14:21.

During a private conversation with his disciples within Matthew 18:1-6, Jesus warns his leaders about causing children to stumble by following in the footsteps of your own sin.  According to the son of God, it would be better to have this person tied to chains and thrown into the sea to die alone.  Thus, the apostle Paul makes sure no one in the first century forgets about this teaching.  Sure, the idea of cannabis as a Holy Sacrament sounds enticing, but using a drug in any form of worship service is simply heresy.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Drugs, Medicine and the Will to Survive

Posted on December 7, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The Food and Drug Administration was formed by the United States in 1906 to regulate drug use in America.  Eight years later California became the first state to create a law banning the use of marijuana.  While marijuana remains a banned federally banned substance, several states have created new laws to allow this drug for medical use.  A few states have taken this one step further in this year’s election, voting to open Cannibal shops for recreational use.  Yet, is this the correct decision or will Americans rue this day?

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise, Proverbs 20:1.

While the Bible does not address pot specifically, Solomon does warn Israel about the danger of alcohol.   According to the passage above, wine and spirits influence one’s ability to control tempers.  Thus, even after a drink or two, basic instincts are compromised, vulnerable to overreactions.  Subsequently, anyone who does not heed this warning is in danger of falling into temptation.

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, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Depending upon your current physical condition, some people may need to rely on drugs and medicine to stay alive.  I’m no exception, forced to take steroids the past 15 years to keep my eye pressure under control.  Others need life saving doses daily just to be able to function normally.  The dilemma comes into play when people who are healthy become co-dependent upon a drug.  Since human bodies are considered a temple of the Holy Spirit, filling yourself with unnecessary substances places souls in harm’s way.  While the debate over drug use in America will continue in the political realm, may the Bible guide hearts longing to escape the grasp of unhealthy addictions.

by Jay Mankus

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Conspiracy or Sin?

Posted on October 4, 2015 by expressyourself4him

September 12th was the 17th anniversary of Bill Clinton’s famous quote, “it depends on what you mean the meaning of the what is is?”  While under direct examination during his impeachment hearing, president Clinton was trying to duck the question; whether or not he had an affair in the Oval Office with Monica Lewinsky.  There is a reason Clinton earned the nick name Slick Willy, able to overcome every scandal his critics uncovered.

With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet, Acts 5:2.

Conspiracy is nothing new as one could say it began in the Garden of Eden.  While Lucifer was having a seductive conversation with his wife Eve, Adam was right there with her.  Was Adam like the husband trying to tune his wife out, pretending to listen?  Or was original sin a joint effort, something Adam put his wife up to?  According to the author of Romans, Adam was to blame, failing to lead his wife away from sin.

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, Genesis 3:6.

Today, the line between right and wrong has been erased in many cultures.  Even the government is struggling to define the proper use of marijuana; is it a pain killer or a drug?  As this debate continues, a liberal society is leaning towards a humanistic point of view, whatever feels good is right, whatever doesn’t is wrong.  Unfortunately, until leaders lead from a biblical worldview, this downward spiral will continue.  Thus, whether people conspire or sin, the same fate finds those who fail to stand up for what’s right, James 4:17.

by Jay Mankus

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