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#2. REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD ABSTAIN FROM SORCERY
This bible study gives the scriptures using the word φαρμακεία, pharmakeia, for sorcery in the New Testameny.
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Greek scriptures for φαρμακεία 'pharmakeia' meaning 'sorcery'
- #1. DEFINITIONS of φαρμακεία, 'pharmakeia' meaning 'sorcery' or 'use of drugs'
- #2. REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD ABSTAIN FROM SORCERY
- #2.02 SORCERY IS A WORK OF THE FLESH
- #2.04 WHATEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN
- #2.06 SORCERY ROBS US OF THE TRIAL OF OUR FAITH
- #2.08 SORCERY IS DECEPTION OF THE DEVIL
- #2.10 SORCERY CAN CAUSE LOSS OF FAMILY
- #2.12 SORCERY IS A FAILURE TO ABSTAIN FROM THE FOOLISHNESS OF WORLDLY WISDOM
- #2.14 WE HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO LISTEN TO SORCERERS
- #2.16 GOD WILL BE A SWIFT WITNESS AGAINST SORCERERS
- #2.18 SORCERY IS AN ADULTEROUS CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD
- #2.22 SORCERY IS IDOLATRY
- #2.24 WE WILL BE TAKEN IN OUR OWN HEART
- #2.26 TRUSTING IN MAN PUTS US UNDER THE CURSE
- #2.28 THOSE WHO TRUST IN SORCERERS ARE LIKE THEM
- #2.30 BECAUSE SORCERY DOESN’T PLEASE GOD
- #2.302 Jesus healed people by faith
- #2.304 Jesus always pleased God
- #2.32 SORCERY ROBS GOD OF HIS GLORY
- #2.34 GOD'S WORD GIVES A NEGATIVE REPORT OF THE WORK OF WORLDLY PHYSICIANS
- #2.36 SORCERY WILL EXCLUDE US FROM THE NEW JERUSALEM
- #2.38 BECAUSE SORCERY WILL BRING US CONDEMNATION
#2. REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD ABSTAIN FROM SORCERY
#2.02 BECAUSE SORCERY IS A WORK OF THE FLESH
GALATIANS 5:19-21 (Paul)
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lack of self contrel,
20 Idolatry, sorcery1, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that those who do such things shall not inherit the
kingdom of God.
Note: The word translated sorcery1 (Gr. φαρμακεία, Gtr. pharmakeia) is also translated "sorceries" (Revelation 9:21; 18:23), and is described here by Paul as a work of the flesh. In the Septuagint it is translated "sorceries" (Isaiah 47:9; 47:12). According to our definitions, this word involves "the employment of drugs for any purpose", which leads to the conclusion that administration and use of drugs is a work of the flesh. The word translated lack of self control2 (Gr. ἀσέλγεια, Gtr. aselgeia) is variously explained as, "excess", "absence of restraint", "intemperance", "outrageous behaviour", and describes that kind of behaviour which lacks self control. Compare that with one of the fruits of the Spirit, "self control" (Galatians 5:23). Paul was a man who taught and practised self control: "I keep my body under, and bring it into subjection:" (1 Corinthians 9:27), and James also taught it, "For we all stumble in many ways. If any man does not stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body." (James 3:2). Self control then is Godly and lack of it is ungodly, so where does that place drug taking? It is well known that many drugs, such as alcohol, sedatives, and anaesthetics, remove some, or even all of our self control, for example by making us unconscious. So drug taking also produces lack of self control in people, which is another of "the works of the flesh". Look at these scriptures:
(Romans 8:13) "For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live."
(Galatians 5:21) "those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
(Galatians 5:24) "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the passions and lusts."
It is difficult to see how anyone who continues to be involved in administering or taking drugs, for whatever reason, can inherit the kingdom of God. The fate of sorcerers is to be excluded from the new Jerusalem (Revelation 22:15), and eventually to be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).
#2.04 BECAUSE WHATEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN
ROMANS 14:23 (Paul)
23 And he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat of faith: for whatever is not of faith is sin.
Note: In context here, Paul is talking about eating different kinds of food, but he has in effect laid down a principle, that whatever we do which is not done with faith in God is sin in his eyes. This was confirmed by the apostle John when he wrote:
(1 John 5:17) "All unrighteousness is sin:"
This could be understood another way, "whatever is not of righteousness is sin", and shows the close relationship between faith and righteousness which is taught in many scriptures:
(Romans 4:11) "the righteousness of faith"
(Romans 4:13) "the righteousness of faith."
(Hebrews 11:33) "Who through faith ... worked righteousness,"
Compare:
(Psalm 51:19) "Then you shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness," with
(Hebrews 11:6) "But without faith it is impossible to please ... God".
Compare also:
(Isaiah 32:17) "the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever." with
(Hebrews 10:22) "the full assurance of faith,"
And compare:
(Ephesians 6:14) "the breastplate of righteousness." with
(1 Thessalonians 5:18) "the breastplate of faith and love;"
Medical science is not based on faith in God, for it is nowhere taught in the scriptures, but the scripture declares, "the prayer of faith shall save the sick," (James 5:15). Nevertheless, through seeking out their own method of healing, excluding God, on the basis of "do whatever works", mankind has ignorantly stumbled across the principles of sorcery which the scripture forbids, "pharmakeia" (Galatians 5:19), and therefore what they do is sin.
#2.06 SORCERY ROBS US OF THE TRIAL OF OUR FAITH
JOB 23:10 (Job)
10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
ZECHARIAH 13:9
9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as Gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will
hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, Yahweh is my God.
JAMES 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials;
3 Knowing this, that the testing of your faith works endurance.
4 But let endurance have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
JAMES 1:12
12 Blessed is the man who endures trials: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.
1 PETER 1:7
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it is tried with fire, might be found to praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
REVELATION 3:18 (Jesus)
18 I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white clothing, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness does not appear; and anoint
your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see.
Note 1: When Jesus came to earth the first time, in a physical body, the worldly wise men of the day brought him gifts, one of which was physical gold (Matthew 2:11). When he comes again a second time, in his glorified spiritual body, he will come to receive those who are spiritually wise (Matthew 25:1-13), and offer him the spiritual gold, which is faith. This spiritual gold has to be tried in the fire (Revelation 3:18), it has to be proved (2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:21), and Job knew that when his trial was over he would come forth as gold (Job 23:10). This testing of God's people to purify them was prophesied:
(Zechariah 13:9) "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as Gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, Yahweh is my God."
A few people may be chosen by God from the day that they are called, the apostle Paul for example (Acts 9:15; 22:14), but others may be called first, and chosen later (Matthew 20:16; 22:14). It is obvious from these scriptures that many who are called never get chosen, but others will endure trials, and be chosen in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10). When Jesus returns, he is coming to receive "his elect" (Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27), who are his chosen ones (Mark 13:20). The word translated "elect" (Gtr. eklektos) in these two scriptures, is also translated "chosen" in several other places, including:(Matthew 20:16) "many are called, but few chosen,"
(Matthew 22:14) "Many are called, but few are chosen."
So we can see how important these trials of faith are. They are "much more precious than of gold that perishes," (1 Peter 1:7), because being called does not guarantee our salvation, as the parable of the ten virgins confirms (Matthew 25:1-13).
#2.08 SORCERY IS DECEPTION OF THE DEVIL
REVELATION 12:9
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, who deceived the whole world: he was cast out onto the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
REVELATION 18:23
23 And the light of a lamp shall shine no more at all in you; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in you: for your merchants were the great men
of the earth; for by your sorceries were all nations deceived.
Note 1: The word translated "sorceries" (Revelation 18:23) is the Greek word φαρμακεία (Gtr. pharmakeia) which includes the use of drugs (See #1 Note) as well as magic. In context, this scripture probably refers to the "magic" side of sorcery, because the whole world will be deceived by the false prophet working miracles (Revelation 13:13-15), "after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders," (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Satan is the master deceiver, who has deceived all of the unsaved world (Revelation 12:9), and he is the one who is behind "the great city, Babylon", which is seen here to have deceived all nations by sorcery. We are often told not to let ourselves be deceived:
(Deuteronomy 11:16) "Take heed to yourselves, that you are not deceived heart,"
(Jeremiah 21:8) "Do not let your prophets and your diviners, who are in the midst of you, deceive you,"
(Mark 13:5) "Take heed lest any man deceives you:"
(Luke 21:8) "Take heed that you are not deceived:"
(1 Corinthians 6:9; 15:33; Galatians 6:7) "Do not be deceived:"
(Ephesians 5:6) "Let no man deceive you with vain words:"
(Colossians 2:8) "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy or vain deceit."
All of these admonitions are here to warn us how easy it is for us to be deceived, and as sorcery is one means that the devil uses to do it, we ought to avoid it. Let us not think that we can practice sorcery and not be deluded; the whole world is already deceived by Satan through drugs.
Note 2: Sorcery then is a great deception, with which the devil has already deceived the unsaved world, and many Christians too. Just by getting us to believe in an alternative healing system to faith in God, he has led many of us away from accepting the trials of our faith, which will ensure our salvation if we endure them (1 Peter 1:9). If we go to God for healing, then we have to be prepared to repent and forsake sin if we wish God to hear us (Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:2; John 9:31), but we can go to medical science in as much sin as we like, and still get treatment. Thus many are also robbed of the repentance which God has commanded (Acts 17:30), and is so necessary for salvation (Luke 13:3; 13:5). If there were no alternative system to God for healing, then every person would have to turn to God in order to get healed, and he would have to repent and turn away from wickedness in order to receive. Do you see the subtlety of it? Now the wicked don't have to repent, and the better medical science becomes at doing its job, the more people are likely to trust in it instead of God. The principle in the word of God is, that if we trust in sorcerers we will receive the same condemnation that they will receive (Psalm 115:4-8; 135:15-18; Ezekiel 14:10; Matthew 15:14), which is eventually to be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).
#2.10 SORCERY CAN CAUSE LOSS OF FAMILY
ISAIAH 47:9
9 But these two things shall come to you in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon you in their perfection for the multitude of your sorceries, and
for the great abundance of your enchantments
Note: In the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament) the word here translated "sorceries" is the Greek word φαρμακεία (Gtr. pharmakeia) which we have seen to include "the use of medicines, drugs, or spells" (See #1 Note). Medical Science is a system of healing in which many have lost children, or husbands, or wives, simply by trusting in it when they need healing.
(Jeremiah 17:5) "Thus says Yahweh; Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from Yahweh."
#2.12 SORCERY IS A FAILURE TO ABSTAIN FROM THE FOOLISHNESS OF WORLDLY WISDOM
PROVERBS 3:5-7 (Solomon)
5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart; and do not lean to your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes: fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
PROVERBS 23:4 (Solomon)
4 Do not labour to be rich: cease from your own wisdom.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:18-20 (Paul)
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
Note: Look at the following scriptures:
(Proverbs 3:5) "do not lean to your own understanding."
(Proverbs 3:7) "Do not be wise in your own eyes;" and
(Proverbs 23:4) "cease from your own wisdom."
Before we receive the truth of God's word it is necessary for us to do this, but why? The reasons for ceasing from our own worldly wisdom are as follows:
(1) It is contrary to the knowledge of God (Luke 10:21; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8; 2 Corinthians 10:5)
(2) It reasons according to the flesh (Genesis 3:6; Matthew 4:2-3; John 8:15; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Peter 2:18).
(3) It judges after the eyes (Genesis 3:6; 1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 4:8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:12), which we are told not to do, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge righteous
judgement." (John 7:24).
(4) It appeals to pride (Genesis 3:6; Matthew 4:5-6) and leads to it (Ezekiel 28:4-5).
(5) It is contrary to the preaching in Spirit and power (1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:4-5).
(6) It is deceitful (Romans 16:18; 1 Corinthians 3:18-19; Colossians 2:4,8; Job 5:13).
(7) It is conceited (Proverbs 26:5,12,16; 28:11; Romans 11:25; 12:16).
(8) It increases worldly grief and sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:17-18).
(9) It is vanity (Psalm 33:10; 94:11; Proverbs 21:30; Ecclesiastes 1:13-14; 2:21; Jeremiah 10:7-8; Romans 1:21-22; 1 Corinthians 3:20; 2 Peter 2:18).
(10) It is foolishness (Isaiah 44:24-25; Jeremiah 10:7-8; Romans 1:22; 1 Corinthians 1:19-20; 3:18-19).
(11) It perverts us (Isaiah 47:10), and
(12) It is sinful.
Compare:
(Proverbs 24:9) "The thought of foolishness is sin:" with
(1 Corinthians 3:19) "the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God:"
Also compare:
(Romans 14:23) "whatever is not of faith is sin." with
(1 Corinthians 2:5) "your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,"
The knowledge of medicines and drugs is not God's wisdom. It is nowhere taught in the bible, Jesus never taught it, or practised it, but he showed us a much better method, which is faith in a merciful and loving God. Medical Science is a system of wisdom developed over a long period of time through experimentation, trial and error, and can correctly be labelled "worldly wisdom", which we are here told to cease from. It doesn't matter how far medical science advances, it will never be able to compete with the record of Jesus, who healed "every sickness and every disease among the people." (Matthew 4:23), "all who were sick." (Matthew 8:16), "every sickness and every disease among the people." (Matthew 9:35), "as many as touched him" (Mark 6:56), and "all who were oppressed of the devil." (Acts 10:38). Neither will it ever be able to save our souls from the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). If we can get to the place where we truly believe in God's wisdom, which is Jesus Christ, then we could also do the same works today (John 14:12).
#2.14 WE HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO LISTEN TO SORCERERS
JEREMIAH 27:9-10
9 Therefore, do not listen to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, who speak to you,
saying, You shall not serve the king of Babylon:
10 For they prophesy a lie to you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and you should perish.
Note: The word translated "sorcerers" here (Hebrew kashshāph) is also translated by the Greek word φάρμακός (Gtr. pharmakos) in the Septuagint, which includes the meaning "one who deals in drugs" (See #1). Here God told the foreign kings not to listen to sorcerers, and the same advice holds true for us today, because God has said that he will not alter the thing that has gone out of his lips (Psalm 89:34).
#2.16 GOD WILL BE A SWIFT WITNESS AGAINST SORCERERS
MALACHI 3:5
5 And I will come near to you to judgement; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those
who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, says Yahweh of hosts.
Note: The word translated "sorcerers" here (Hebrews. kāshaph) is also translated "sorcerers" (Exodus 7:11 KJV; Daniel 2:2), and "a witch" (Exodus 22:18 KJV; Deuteronomy 18:10). In the Septuagint, the Greek word φάρμακός (Gtr. pharmakos) is used to translate each of these references, which again includes the meaning of "one who deals in drugs" (See #1). As God will deal with those who trust in sorcerers in the same manner as the sorcerers themselves (See #2.28), it would be prudent for those of us who need healing to set time aside to increase our faith, and receive our healing by faith, otherwise God will be a swift witness against us also.
#2.18 SORCERY IS AN ADULTEROUS CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD
ROMANS 12:1-2 (Paul)
1 I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
JAMES 4:4
4 You adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
1 JOHN 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passes away, and the lust of it: but he who does the will of God abides for ever.
Note: We are told here not to be conformed to this world (Romans 2:2), because friendship with the world is considered as spiritual adultery by God, and enmity with him (James 4:4). Medical Science is the world's system of healing, and we ought to consider that conforming to it, and its methods, is what we are told here not to do. Adultery is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19), just as sorcery is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:20), and the penalty for adultery is death (Leviticus 20:10), just as it is for sorcery (or witchcraft) (Exodus 22:18).
#2.22 SORCERY IS IDOLATRY
EXODUS 15:26
26 And said, If you will diligently listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and will do that which is right in his sight, and will give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes,
I will put none of these diseases upon you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am Yahweh who heals you.
EXODUS 20:3
3 You shall have no other gods before me.
DEUTERONOMY 5:7
7 You shall have no other gods before me.
Note: In the Old Testament God revealed various attributes of his character through his names, one of which was יִַהְוֶה רֹפְאֶךָ (Htr. Yahweh Rōph'ekā) (Exodus 15:26), here translated "Yahweh who heals you". God is a healing God, which he made very clear through Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; Acts 10:38), and when we are sick he expects us to go to him for healing. As soon as we refuse, and go to a man instead, trusting in him and his worldly knowledge and wisdom instead of God, then that man becomes our "Yahweh Rōph'ekā". He is our god that heals us. Can you imagine how God feels when we put more trust in an unsaved sinner than in him? If we have a headache, and go to the medicine cabinet to take a few small pills to cure it, then those pills become our "Yahweh Rōph'ekā", can we imagine how God feels when we put more faith in a few small pills than in him? If we are like this, then we need to question whether we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). God has said that we are to have no other gods before him (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7), and as idolatry is not only a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:20), but also a great sin (Exodus 32:31), then we need to forsake it. The end of Idolaters and sorcerers is to be excluded from the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:15; #2.36), and to be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8; #2.38).
#2.24 WE WILL BE TAKEN IN OUR OWN HEART
EZEKIEL 14:1-5
1 Then certain of the elders of Israel came to me, and sat before me.
2 And the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,
3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling-block of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?
4 Therefore speak to them, and say to them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh; Every man of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts the stumbling-block of his iniquity before
his face, and comes to the prophet; I Yahweh will answer him who comes according to the multitude of his idols.
5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.
Note: We have already seen that trusting in man for healing is idolatry (See #2.22), and when we do it we have set up an idol in our heart. If we pray to God with an idol in our heart, then God will take us in our own heart, just as he did with Israel when they burned incense to the queen of heaven (Jeremiah 44). As long as they served the queen of heaven things seemed to go well with them (v17), but when they stopped, and turned to serve Yahweh, things did not go so well (v18). Thus they were deceived into thinking that it was better to serve the queen of heaven, and were eventually consumed by God's wrath (v27). So it will be with us if we believe that Medical Science is a better healing system than faith in God.
#2.26 TRUSTING IN MAN PUTS US UNDER THE CURSE
PSALMS 60:11 (David)
11 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
PSALMS 118:8-9
8 It is better to trust in Yahweh than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in Yahweh than to put confidence in princes.
PSALMS 146:3
3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
JEREMIAH 17:5-6
5 Thus says Yahweh: Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from Yahweh.
6 For he shall be like a heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land not inhabited.
Note: Not only have we been told not to trust in man's wisdom (See #2.12), but here we are told not to trust in man, because "man at his best state is altogether vanity." (Psalm 39:5), his help is vain (Psalm 60:11), and we put ourselves under the curse (Jeremiah 17:5). One of the reasons is that trusting in man is idolatry (See #2.22), and as we become taken in our own heart (See #2.24), then our trust in man increases, and our trust in God decreases. We are called to a life of total trust in God, so that he supplies all of our need (Philippians 4:19), and every time we trust in man instead, we fall short of God's requirement for us. There are degrees of faith in God, "all faith" (1 Corinthians 13:2), "great faith" (Matthew 8:10; 15:28), "strong faith" (Romans 4:17), "weak faith" (Romans 4:19; 14:1), "little faith" (Matthew 6:30; 8:26), "dead faith" (James 2:17; 2:20; 2:26), and faith is a growing thing (Romans 1:17; 10:17; 2 Corinthians 10:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:3). Faith needs to be matured through the trials of our faith (See #2.06), but if we fail to do it by continuing to trust in man, our faith will not grow, and even that faith which we have may be taken away (Matthew 25:29). If we don't go to God with the small sicknesses, where will we go when man cannot help? (Jeremiah 12:5) "If you have run with the footmen, and they have tired you, how then can you contend with the horses?" The ultimate curse will be the lake of fire for all unbelievers (Revelation 21:8; #2.38).
#2.28 THOSE WHO TRUST IN SORCERERS ARE LIKE THEM
PSALMS 136:15-18
15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes have they, but they do not see;
17 They have ears, but they do not hear; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them are like them: so is every one who trusts in them.
EZEKIEL 14:9-10
9 And if the prophet is deceived when he has spoken a thing, I Yahweh have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people
Israel.
10 And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him who seeks to him;
MATTHEW 15:14 (Jesus)
15 Let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Note: We see here a scriptural principle, that those who believe in something false, will end up with the same punishment as those who teach it:
(1) Those who trust in idols are like the idols. What then are we like if we trust in sorcerers?
(2) Those who seek the advice of a false prophet will get the same punishment as the false prophet. What then will be our punishment if we seek the advice of sorcerers?
(3) Those who follow blind leaders fall in the same ditch. What then will happen to us if we follow sorcerers? The answers are obvious. We will not be able to enter the kingdom of God
(Galatians 5:19-21; See #2.04), we will be outside the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:15; See #2.36), and we will end up cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8; See #2.38).
#2.30 BECAUSE SORCERY DOESN’T PLEASE GOD
#2.301 Jesus healed people by faith
MATTHEW 4:23
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
MATTHEW 8:16
16 And when the evening had come, they brought to him many who were possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all who were sick:
MATTHEW 9:35
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
MATTHEW 12:15
15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from there: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all:
MATTHEW 15:30
30 And great multitudes came to him, having with them those who were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and laid them down at Jesus feet; and he healed them:
MARK 6:56
56 And wherever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and
as many as touched him were made whole.
LUKE 4:40
40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.
LUKE 9:11
11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.
#2.302 Jesus always pleased God
JOHN 8:29 (Jesus)
29 And he who sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
HEBREWS 11:6 (Paul) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
Note: Divine healing pleases God, but healing with drugs, medicines, ointments, or surgery does not. Doctors diagnose according to the condition of the flesh, they check the temperature, the pulse, the breathing, and so on, but do they ever check the spiritual condition of the patient? Paul said, "those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:8), and "without faith it is impossible to please him." (Hebrews 11:6), so doctors can never please God as long as they diagnose and treat according to the flesh. Those doctors who profess to believe in Christ often prescribe the same treatments as unbelievers, showing that their confidence is in the drugs, and not in God. There may be a few doctors who combine prayer with medical treatment, but the healing that pleases God is received by a faith that relies totally upon his supernatural power to manifest the healing. It is this total trust in him is that pleases God. Jesus never used drugs or medicines, or sent people to the physicians for treatment, but every healing was done totally by faith in the Father, and that is why he could say, "I do always those things that please him." (John 8:29). If we wish to please God, then we need to receive our healing by faith, without drugs or medicines, because "without faith it is impossible to please him." (Hebrews 11:6). Some may argue that if it was always God's will to heal, everyone would get healed; but as that doesn't happen, it cannot always be God's will to heal. This is false reasoning; scripture states clearly that it is God's will for everyone to be saved (Ezekiel 18:32; Matthew 18:14; John 3:16; 6:39; Galatians 1:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 22:17), but that most will be lost (Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:24). Just as those who fulfil the conditions for salvation will be saved, so those who fulfil the conditions for healing will be healed, God's perfect will is that we receive both.
#2.32 SORCERY ROBS GOD OF HIS GLORY
MATTHEW 15:30-31
30 And great multitudes came to him, having with them those who were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and laid them down at Jesus' feet; and
he healed them:
31 So that the crowds had to marvel, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
LUKE 5:24-26 (Jesus heals the sick of the palsy)
24 But that you may know that the Son of man has power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said to the sick of the palsy), I say to you, Arise, and take up your bed, and go into your house.
25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that on which he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
26 And they were all amazed, and glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things today.
LUKE 7:12-16 (Jesus raises a dead man at Nain)
12 Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, Do not weep.
14 And he came and touched the coffin: and those who carried him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say to you, Arise.
15 And he who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet has risen up among us; and, That God has visited his people.
LUKE 13:10-12 (Jesus heals a woman with a spirit of infirmity)
10 And, behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no way lift herself up.
11 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said to her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.
12 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
LUKE 17:12-15 (Jesus heals ten lepers)
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said to them, Go, show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God.
LUKE 18:42-43
42 And Jesus said to him, Receive your sight: your faith has saved you.
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
JOHN 11:3-4 (Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead)
3 Therefore, his sisters sent to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.
4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified by it.
JOHN 11:39-40
39 Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him who was dead, says to him, Lord, by this time he stinks: for he has been dead four days.
40 Jesus says to her, Did I not say to you, that, if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?
Note: In every one of these cases God was glorified by the healing, not by the sickness, because glory was given to God after they were healed, not while they were still sick. Even when Lazarus had been dead four days they had still not seen the glory of God (John 11:40), nor did they see it until he walked out of the grave, his partially decomposed body being fully restored to life. We are commanded, "glorify God in your body," (Psalm 50:15; 1 Corinthians 6:20), that's what we were created for (Isaiah 43:7), and we can only do this by being healed by faith, not by remaining sick, nor by going to an alternative healer instead of God. How often do you hear God getting the praise when someone is healed in hospital? Christians who have part faith in God and part faith in sorcery might do it, but God has said in his word that he will not give his glory to another (Isaiah 42:8; 48:11). When doctors and surgeons get praise for their work, God has been robbed of his praise. The devil's main objective is to draw praise away from God to himself (Matthew 4:9), and this he does by using people. If he can set anyone up in a position where they can draw praise away from God, to themselves, then the devil effectively receives this praise for himself. It is written of Jesus, "Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses." (Matthew 8:17), and "with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5), so if we believe that he has already done the work, all we need to do is receive it by faith (Matthew 21:21-22; Mark 9:23; 11:23-24; John 14:13-14; James 5:6-7), and let God have all the glory.
#2.34 GOD'S WORD GIVES A NEGATIVE REPORT OF THE WORK OF WORLDLY PHYSICIANS
2 CHRONICLES 16:12-13
12 And Asa in the thirty ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceedingly great: yet in his disease he did not seek to Yahweh, but to the physicians.
13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the forty first year of his reign.
JOB 13:4 (Job)
4 But you are forgers of lies, you are all physicians of no value.
MARK 5:25-27
25 And a certain woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years,
26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
LUKE 8:43-44
43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, nor could be healed of any.
44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stopped.
Note: There are no good reports of the work of physicians in the bible, but as these scriptures show they are always negative. Why Asa sought to the physicians and not to God for his healing, we do not know, but the implication is that it cost him his life, "Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from Yahweh." (Jeremiah 17:5). When Job said, "you are all physicians, of no value." (Job 13:4), he could have meant either that his friends were of no value, or that physicians were of no value. Evidently he did think the latter, because in all his trouble, covered from head to foot in sore boils (Job 2:7), he never consulted one. The woman with the issue of blood spent all her money on physicians, suffered many things, and only grew worse, which concludes a very negative picture of worldly physicians, doesn't it? With the rapid advances in worldly knowledge and technology, modern medical science may be able to boast a much more effective healing rate than physicians in the bible days, but it just means that the more they claim to cure, the more they deceive (See #2.06 Note 2; #2.08; #2.24), and the more they lead away from faith in God (See #2.22).
#2.36 BECAUSE SORCERY WILL EXCLUDE US FROM THE NEW JERUSALEM
REVELATION 22:15
15 For outside are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and whoever loves and makes a lie.
Note: The word translated "sorcerers" here is is the plural of the Greek word φάρμακός (Gtr. pharmakos), which includes "one who deals in drugs" (See #1), and we could not exclude doctors, surgeons, chemists, druggists, dentists, and many nurses from this. We also need to consider that it includes those who trust in them (See #2.28).
#2.38 BECAUSE SORCERY WILL BRING US CONDEMNATION
REVELATION 21:8
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire
and brimstone: which is the second death.
Note: The word translated "sorcerers" in this scripture is the plural of the Greek word φαρμακεύς (Gtr. pharmakeus) which includes "one
who deals in drugs" (See #1), and we could not exclude doctors, surgeons, chemists, druggists, dentists, and many nurses from this. We also need to consider that it also includes those who
trust in them (See #2.28).
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