Medication Is Not Witchcraft

 Here's an idea that you might not consider unless you found some of these fringe YouTube videos, the idea that medication is witchcraft.

You're thinking, "What?  Where in the Bible does it say that?"

Their Proof Texts

Firstly, my stance is that medication is NOT witchcraft, but first, let me give you the proof texts people use to prove that medication is witchcraft:

Galatians 5:19-20 (KJV)

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Revelation 9:21 (KJV)

21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Revelation 18:23 (KJV)

23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Now, what do these three highlighted words have in common?  They are all from the Greek word "pharmakeia", which is where we get our English word "pharmacy."  And indeed, "pharmakeia" literally does mean medication, according to Strong's Dictionary:

From G5332; medication (“pharmacy”), that is, (by extension) magic (literal or figurative): - sorcery, witchcraft.

So, on the surface, it would appear as if medication of all types, even Tylenol, were evil.  In fact, the root word (G5332) (the people behind the "pharamakeia") is used in Revelation 21:8 as among those who go to Hell:

Revelation 21:8 (KJV)

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

So, does this mean that all pharmacists are going to Hell, simply because of their distribution of Tylenol, Advil, even Ozempic?

NO!

This is why.  

It's Not What Goes In, But What Comes Out

Look at Mark 7:14-23 (I will stop in between to give explainers):

Mark 7:14-23 (KJV)

14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

Look at v. 15.  There is NOTHING from without a man, that entering INTO him can defile him.  Let us continue to verse 19:

16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

Jesus gives the specific reason why most of the things you consume do not defile you.  It is because it doesn't go into the heart.  It goes through the stomach, and then is exited via #2! ("goeth out into the draught").  In and of itself, nearly nothing you put into your body can lead you to Hell (I'll get to the one exception in a moment).  

Now, yes, Jesus was mainly talking about food, and not medication such as Tylenol.  Still, Tylenol also does not enter the heart, but into the stomach, and some of it can come out as #2. (Not all food is expelled as waste either, but the context is mainly of anatomic geography).  Again, Jesus is not saying that "FOOD isn't bad because of where it goes".  He is saying that "Food isn't bad because of WHERE it goes".  Based on the context, it's not the KIND of thing that defines undefilement, it's the GEOGRAPHY of the thing.

It's like I Timothy 5:8, where Paul says that anyone who doesn't support their own family is worse than an unbeliever.  Again, Paul is stating FACTS based on the present application of widows.  You don't have to wait for your mother to be a widow to support her!  If you don't support her, even if her husband is still alive, you're STILL worse than an unbeliever!

So, Jesus' FACTS on where food goes can also apply to medication, because the geography's the same.  It is also a FACT that WHATSOEVER THING FROM WITHOUT (outside the body), and that means ANYTHING, cannot defile a man.  Not even dirt (Although I personally wouldn't recommend eating dirt, not a biblical teaching, just a personal opinion).

20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

This is where Jesus defines the concept of defilement.  v. 22-23 essentially list sins, you know, the things which, unless repented of, CAN ACTUALLY SEND YOU TO HELL!

This also where Jesus defines the heart when He mentions "evil thoughts".  Jesus was not talking about the blood-pumping organ, because a blood-pumping organ can't think (see v. 21).  If anything, the organ that is more closely associated with the "heart" is the brain, whose pre-frontal cortex literally thinks.  So, in this context, the heart is more of a thinking and perceiving thing. 

Mark 7:14-23 debunks the concept of modern medication leading you to Hell, because "the Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35).

Consuming Blood Still Forbidden

Now, I did mention one thing that can be consumed that, unless repented of, can ACTUALLY lead you to Hell: consuming blood.  The Law of Moses repeatedly forbade the consumption of blood, not at all because of anatomical geography, but because of something completely different.  Leviticus 17:14 says it quite clearly:

Leviticus 17:14 (KJV)

14 For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.

Be warned:  This is not some "Law of Moses" thing that can be done away with because we're under grace.  A REASON, a FACT is given why we should NEVER EVER consume blood.  Because THE BLOOD IS THE LIFE.  In fact, this command is repeated in the New Testament as a starter command to new believers:

Acts 15:28-29 (KJV)

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Now, in conclusion, I don't exactly know any evidence off the top of my head what "pharmakeia" really is, other than what the Bible translators rendered it is, whom most agree is witchcraft.  However, what I do know is that medication is not witchcraft, simply because of where it travels in the body.  If it is still witchcraft despite this fact, then Jesus is a liar, and you know that He is not.

Topics I Wish To Cover In The Future

On the smartphone I have, I write down a lot of notes, especially when they come to me.  They are usually things that I wish to talk about concerning the Bible, so I want to share those with you:

On The Hard Road To Heaven (2 Timothy 2:3)

Exposing The Salvation Army (they reject baptism and the Lord's Supper)

What The Bible Says About Fools (a lot)

Don't Get Involved in The Affairs Of This Life (2 Timothy 2:4)

Medication Is Not Witchcraft (on the Greek word "pharmakeia")

Then I decided to look at my very first blog post and expand on it.  There were some teachings that I wanted to clarity, and I also wanted to clarify the inspirations behind my interpretation of Scripture and especially why I want to be an INDEPENDENT Bible student.  I recommend you check out the update.

So, I might get to these topics, or I might not.  It all depends.

My Take On The End Times (Without Using Much Scripture)

There's a reason I'm not using much Scripture in this blog post, because I don't want to get it wrong.  I'm definitely motivated by the following passage:

Revelation 22:18-19 (KJV)

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

So, why am I talking about the End Times?  Because I hear it all around me:

"The end times are being fulfilled all around us!"

"Watch carefully at what Israel is doing."

"This is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy."

OK, here's my take:  I don't immediately say that what's happening in the world is not fulfilling Bible prophecy, it likely is.  Any time something happens to Israel, it is likely that something Biblical is going on, because it's Israel, God's chosen people!

So, from one video I saw, the idea is that Israel has a rough time because Satan wants to wipe Israel off the map, that is, every single Jew.  If there are no Jews, then that means that God is a liar in saying that Jesus will return to save the remnant of Israel.  I also hear that part of the end times involves all the Jews returning to Israel.

Is all this likely?  Sure.  I just need to look it up in Scripture to make sure.  The author of that video suggested the book of Ezekiel.

Here are some other things I heard in this video:

There will be so much war and chaos, that the people of the world will cry for peace.  That peace will come in the form of a one-world government, a one-world religion (Hmm, there's a certain sci-fi franchise that preaches the gospel of a "United Earth".  In fact, Stacey Abrams herself played its president one time!)  This whole "one-world government" will be a big part of the end times.

Now, as for the Mark of the Beast (another common theme in end times discussions), first, let me lay out the given Scripture for everyone to see:

Revelation 13:16-17 (KJV)

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

I've seen other videos about it, one in which paying for groceries with your hand (There was another one about Whole Foods that I think is already doing it, but that's just your palm.) is either it or close to being it.

OK...how about an example where you can pay by showing your forehead?  I say "showing" because I don't think Revelation 13:16 is talking about a "payment method", but rather a method of identification.  Could it be a "payment method" and/or a "method of identification"?  I don't know.  Again, don't want to say yea or nay because of the first Scripture mentioned in this blog entry.

The point is this:  In the Mark of the Beast, the forehead is an option.  If a payment system or any kind of transaction doesn't even mention your forehead, it's NOT the Mark of the Beast, period, because to say that it is, and denying the option of the forehead takes away from the Book of Revelation as mentioned in that aforementioned Scripture.  It's in there!  To say that it's not is taking away from the Book of Revelation!

Now, yes, you and I should read up more on Bible prophecy, including the Book of Revelation, and compare the world's events to Scripture; it's a wise thing to do anyway (2 Peter 3:18).  Still, even if you haven't gotten to that point yet, at least do these:

Job 28:28 (KJV)

28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

The World Is Still Tempting.

 I've mentioned this verse time and time again: "Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."  It's so seared into my brain that I didn't even bother to get the exact KJV or ESV wording.  It's in I John (let me look it up again...I John 2:15.

When I talk about the concept of "having a life", I mean "embracing the world as if you're a member of it."  That is, being so rooted in this world that the world would easily consider you a citizen.  In fact, Jesus says in John 15:19a:

"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own:"

As a kid, and even as a young adult, I've always felt like I've been on the inside looking out, wanting to join my high school peers in whatever adventures in the world they're going on.  Of course, now that I'm in my mid to late 30s, I realize that those peers have since settled down, so I didn't see the point in chasing their company (these days, there's little need, I work with two members of my college graduating class every day!).  In fact, the two co-workers themselves have settled down with families of their own, so they wouldn't exactly invite me to a beer, they're too busy themselves!

So, who's "inviting me to a beer" now?  Who is tempting me to embrace the world and live a little?  Someone who doesn't exist in real life, yet, if I met the actress who played her, the two could seem identical.  

There's this version of Star Trek that interested me, it's called "Lower Decks".  It features inexperienced Ensigns of a common starship.  I think I myself was on the bottom rung of the career ladder when Lower Decks premiered, I have since moved up to a position comparable to lower management, or in the Star Trek world, at the very least, a Lieutenant.

The main character is a former senior officer named Beckett Mariner, played by Tawny Newsome.  Mariner is regularly a troublemaker who deliberately tries to remain an Ensign, uninterested in advancing in her career in Starfleet.  She is joined by Ensign Brad Boimler, played by Jack Quaid.  He's the guy that plays by the rules, and strives to one day be a starship captain.  He is a fan of Starfleet legends such as William Riker and Beverly Crusher.

The first time I watched the program, I immediately compared myself to Boimler and any "cool" worldly person to Mariner.  In fact, every single person who has told me, "Come on, live a little!" acts just like Mariner.  She...is the one who would invite me to a beer.  (I can say that because during a high school class reunion, there was one person who in fact invited me to the bar, I'm guessing for a beer.)

My carnal self would definitely want to let loose, and she would be my guide.  In fact, near the end of the first episode, Mariner called Boimler her "cha'dich", which is a Klingon term used to mean "friend/disciple".  Boimler would learn from Mariner in her unorthodox ways of life.

Scripture warns against running around with such people:

Proverbs 1:10-19 (KJV)

10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

So yeah, it's not wise to be enticed by someone like Mariner.  OK, what about Tawny Newsome herself?  What's she like?

Let's see, she's 4 years older than me (just like Mariner)...OK, while Mariner reminds me of the troublemaker trying to get me into trouble, Tawny Newsome the actress reminds me of Trek clergy.  According to an article by ScreenRant, Mrs. Newsome has an "impressive knowledge of Star Trek", and she is a writer for a new upcoming Star Trek series.  I call her "clergy" because I have given another Star Trek actor a religious title: Wil Wheaton, whom I call the "high priest of geekery".  The podcast The Happiness Lab called him a "geekvangelist", preaching a gospel of loving a niche of the world with reckless abandon, with the example of the fans of Benedict Cumberbatch being called "cumberb****es.".  It is my opinion that Mrs. Newsome would preach a similar gospel, making Trek disciples of all nations.  Why?  I've heard her on other podcasts recommend starting episodes to get into Trek, just as I recommend starting in the book of Matthew to learn about Christ.

OK, so isn't the solution simple?  Just cut yourself off from Trek entirely? (like in Matthew 10:29)  Or at least Lower Decks?  Just writing that makes me think that's a good idea.  Perhaps the less reinforcement of Trek knowledge, the better.  I still have knowledge of Trek, I just don't want it to consume me.

What?  Is Star Trek evil?  In and of itself, I don't know.  Now, I'm not talking about their misguided vision of humanity (see 2 Timothy 3:1-5 to show what humanity will really be like), but rather the fact that it's of the world.  There is much "lust of the eyes", "lust of the flesh", and "pride of life" in Star Trek.