But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For
the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these
are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh
are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities,
strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying,
drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I
have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the
kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-21 NASB
In this list of sins there is one sin I want to talk about today and that is sorcery. You may
Ask what does sorcery have in common with these habitual sins? . I believe all these sins
put you into bondage that eventually destroys us! The truth that sets us free from these
sins is self-control I also believe sorcery is alive and well under a different name illegal
drug use.
When the word is spoken, image s of witches and wizards come to mind and of course
Halloween. Harry Potter and his adventures have put sorcery back in the news today.
Previous generations it was the show Bewitched! Galatians 5;19,20 Make clear that
Sorcery is a sin! So what is sorcery? Why is it a sin? What would it have to do with me?
Sorcery not a word that we hear every day! Sorcery: Magic; enchantment; witchcraft;
divination be the assistance of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits
(Webster's) Sorcery, therefore, is the reliance on black arts or other forms of
supernatural insight or ability, and not a reliance on God . Magic tricks, which generally
involve illusion but not substance, are not really under discussion here.
Sorcery at it’s heart is the giving up of one’s self control to be in bondage to anything
involving forces other than God! Voodoo, magic spells, witchcraft in any form, including
Tarot card reading, psychic readings, séances also represent sorcery. Astrological
readings also, including horoscopes, also involve reliance on forces other than God
What is the big deal?
Most normal people find my opposition to such practices to be a little weird. I have had
many say to me, “What's the harm?” after all, it’s just a "little fun", with horoscopes and
psychic readings? It really is a good question.
From beginning to end in the Bible God has made clear there is only one God. Exodus
34:14 says; Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a
jealous God.
Sorcery does represent a concern and a threat, and should not be taken as lightly as it is!
The Bible makes it clear that our trust and confidence is to be in God alone Sorcery,
therefore, is no light matter, and is to be thoroughly avoided!
But what’s under the surface to Sorcery ? The Greek word provides an additional
concept we should consider. Gal 5;20 we read earlier the : Greek word for sorcery is
pharmakeia (pharmacy). Thayers Lexicon says; the use or the administering of drugs;
poisoning; sorcery,magical arts" (Thayer's) How do drugs fit into sorcery? We must
consider the healing profession in the ancient world While we today would separate
the scientific study of medicine from the black arts practices of "witch doctors", that
distinction was not kept in the ancient world.
The same doctor who would perform surgeries or give out medicine would also make
incantations to various gods or use magic or other black arts to effect a cure. They
would also use drugs to fall into a catatonic state under the control of spirits for a vision
or formula for healing.
When Paul used the word Sorcery his audiences sees some one using drugs to come
under the power of the spirits. Maybe, this can begin to help you see how Sorcery is
related to illegal use of Drugs.
As is well known, many drugs are consumed not for medical benefit but for recreational
purposes. We must understand there is a place and time for doctor prescribed
medications, because God uses that for our healing. But the truth is most use of
marijuana, cocaine, heroin, PCP, methamphetamines, crystal methadone, LSD, ecstasy,
opium, and abuse of prescription medications are to get high not to heal. The drugs are
enjoyed for "highs" and the ability to escape from the problems of life.
With the use of the Greek Word Pharmica it links sorcery and drug use-as a way we
trust or enjoy powers and forces other than God!
Be God's
Roger
the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these
are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh
are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities,
strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying,
drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I
have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the
kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-21 NASB
In this list of sins there is one sin I want to talk about today and that is sorcery. You may
Ask what does sorcery have in common with these habitual sins? . I believe all these sins
put you into bondage that eventually destroys us! The truth that sets us free from these
sins is self-control I also believe sorcery is alive and well under a different name illegal
drug use.
When the word is spoken, image s of witches and wizards come to mind and of course
Halloween. Harry Potter and his adventures have put sorcery back in the news today.
Previous generations it was the show Bewitched! Galatians 5;19,20 Make clear that
Sorcery is a sin! So what is sorcery? Why is it a sin? What would it have to do with me?
Sorcery not a word that we hear every day! Sorcery: Magic; enchantment; witchcraft;
divination be the assistance of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits
(Webster's) Sorcery, therefore, is the reliance on black arts or other forms of
supernatural insight or ability, and not a reliance on God . Magic tricks, which generally
involve illusion but not substance, are not really under discussion here.
Sorcery at it’s heart is the giving up of one’s self control to be in bondage to anything
involving forces other than God! Voodoo, magic spells, witchcraft in any form, including
Tarot card reading, psychic readings, séances also represent sorcery. Astrological
readings also, including horoscopes, also involve reliance on forces other than God
What is the big deal?
Most normal people find my opposition to such practices to be a little weird. I have had
many say to me, “What's the harm?” after all, it’s just a "little fun", with horoscopes and
psychic readings? It really is a good question.
From beginning to end in the Bible God has made clear there is only one God. Exodus
34:14 says; Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a
jealous God.
Sorcery does represent a concern and a threat, and should not be taken as lightly as it is!
The Bible makes it clear that our trust and confidence is to be in God alone Sorcery,
therefore, is no light matter, and is to be thoroughly avoided!
But what’s under the surface to Sorcery ? The Greek word provides an additional
concept we should consider. Gal 5;20 we read earlier the : Greek word for sorcery is
pharmakeia (pharmacy). Thayers Lexicon says; the use or the administering of drugs;
poisoning; sorcery,magical arts" (Thayer's) How do drugs fit into sorcery? We must
consider the healing profession in the ancient world While we today would separate
the scientific study of medicine from the black arts practices of "witch doctors", that
distinction was not kept in the ancient world.
The same doctor who would perform surgeries or give out medicine would also make
incantations to various gods or use magic or other black arts to effect a cure. They
would also use drugs to fall into a catatonic state under the control of spirits for a vision
or formula for healing.
When Paul used the word Sorcery his audiences sees some one using drugs to come
under the power of the spirits. Maybe, this can begin to help you see how Sorcery is
related to illegal use of Drugs.
As is well known, many drugs are consumed not for medical benefit but for recreational
purposes. We must understand there is a place and time for doctor prescribed
medications, because God uses that for our healing. But the truth is most use of
marijuana, cocaine, heroin, PCP, methamphetamines, crystal methadone, LSD, ecstasy,
opium, and abuse of prescription medications are to get high not to heal. The drugs are
enjoyed for "highs" and the ability to escape from the problems of life.
With the use of the Greek Word Pharmica it links sorcery and drug use-as a way we
trust or enjoy powers and forces other than God!
Be God's
Roger
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