| Pharmakia March 15 1973 Watchtower .......... 32 These angels who sinned cannot materialize now as they did before the Flood, because of God's restriction. Nevertheless, by controlling the minds and bodies of persons they feel that, to some extent, they are having fleshly connections. 33 It is of interest to us that the Greek word used in the Bible for "practice of spiritism," "sorcery" or "witchcraft" is phar·ma·ki´a, which is very closely related to our word "pharmacy." Phar·ma·ki´a means, literally, "druggery." Why is this word used for spiritism or sorcery? One authority says: "PHARMAKIA . . . (Eng., pharmacy, etc.) primarily signified the use of medicine, drugs, spells; then, poisoning; then, sorcery, . . . See also Rev. 9:21; 18:23. . . . 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."-Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. 34 Is not the situation parallel today? Many drug users claim they are 'approaching God,' they are 'expanding their minds.' But actually it has to do with impressing the user with mysterious hallucinations and feelings, leading them to the demons, under the idea that the drug is freeing their minds for higher, broader thinking. If one is led into the practice of spiritism he is open to all sorts of wrong practices, demon influence, insanity and everlasting death. Spiritism, a work of the flesh, will prevent one from entering God's kingdom, say the Scriptures at Galatians 5:21. 35 The apostle Paul describes what people are doing when they engage in any religious act or practice that makes an approach to anyone aside from the true God, Jehovah. He says: "The things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers with the demons. You cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons; you cannot be partaking of 'the table of Jehovah' and the table of demons." If we use drugs, we should very soberly consider Paul's next words: "Or 'are we inciting Jehovah to jealousy'?" he asks, then warns, "We are not stronger than he is, are we?"-1 Cor. 10:20-22. 36 Jehovah provides those who approach him sincerely with everything they need to be happy. Of approach and service to God, the apostle says: "To be sure, it is a means of great gain, this godly devotion along with self-sufficiency." Seek godliness through obedience to the only One who can provide it, and be happy "along with those who call upon the Lord out of a clean heart."-1 Tim. 6:6; 2 Tim. 2:22. |
March 15 1973 Watchtower