# What is pharmakeia in the Bible?
Pharmakeia is a Greek word that appears several times in the New Testament, often translated as “sorcery” or “witchcraft” in English translations. The root meaning of pharmakeia relates to the use of drugs, potions, spells, and magical arts. Understanding the meaning and uses of pharmakeia in the Bible can shed light on biblical views towards the occult, drug use, and illicit activities.
## Occurrences of pharmakeia in the New Testament
The word pharmakeia appears three times in the New Testament:
– Galatians 5:20 – It is listed among the “works of the flesh” along with idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, and drunkenness.
– Revelation 9:21 – Those who did not repent of their murders, sorceries (pharmakeia), sexual immorality or thefts are condemned.
– Revelation 18:23 – In describing the judgments against Babylon the Great, it says that “by your pharmakeia all nations were led astray.”
## Definition and meaning of pharmakeia
The primary meaning of pharmakeia relates to the use and administration of drugs, potions, poisons, spells, and magical arts. Some key aspects of pharmakeia include:
– The use of drugs, potions, and herbs for sorcery, witchcraft, magic, and enchantments
– Poisoning people through the preparation and administration of drugs and chemicals
– Casting spells through incantations and magic rituals
– Practicing magic, witchcraft, and sorcery through potions and poisons
– Altering the mind and judgment through psychoactive drugs and potions
– Potion making and administering drugs for occultist and demonic purposes
One key aspect was using drugs, chemicals, potions, poisons, and spells together in the practice of sorcery, often with occultist or demonic connections. The pharmakos was a sorcerer or magician who used these substances and arts. The pharmakeus or pharmakon was the spell, drug, or potion used for occultist purposes.
## Pharmakeia and drug use
The connection between pharmakeia and drug use and abuse is evident in the Bible. Mind-altering substances were used in occult practices to induce altered states and enable communication with spirits and demons. The abuse of drugs is often condemned alongside the practice of magic and sorcery.
Some key verses that connect pharmakeia with drug abuse include:
– Revelation 9:21 – pharmaceutical sorceries (pharmakeia) is connected with murders, immorality, and thefts as works of the flesh.
– Revelation 18:23 – pharmaceutical sorceries (pharmakeia) leads to the deception of nations.
– Galatians 5:20 – pharmakeia is listed among the sinful acts of the flesh.
– Isaiah 47:9, 12 – the abuse of pharmacological potions is connected with sorcery and enchantments.
While drugs can be used for good, the occult use of potions and mind-altering substances is strongly condemned in the Bible. Drug abuse is equated with witchcraft, idolatry, and sinful rebellion against God.
## Pharmakeia as deception and seduction
A common thread in most occurrences of pharmakeia is its connection to deception, seduction, control of minds, and rebellion against God. In Revelation, pharmakeia is tied to the deception of nations and the seduction of the people to partake in sin.
Sorcery and witchcraft are deceptive works of darkness that blind people to the truth of the gospel. The occult arts seduce people into believing lies and falsehoods that lead them away from God’s path.
Mind-altering potions were used to induce hypnotic states and visions which deceived people. Sorcerers and magicians would seduce people with their enchantments to gain power and influence over others.
So a core aspect of pharmakeia appears to be its power to deceive people and seduce them into spiritual darkness and ignorance of God’s truth. It represents the lies and falsehoods perpetuated through sorcery and witchcraft.
## Bible verses condemning pharmakeia and the occult
Here are some other Bible verses that condemn pharmakeia, sorcery, witchcraft, magic spells, divination, and occult practices:
– Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – Child sacrifice, witchcraft, sorcery, spells, mediumship and necromancy are detestable to the Lord.
– Leviticus 19:26 – “You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes.”
– Leviticus 19:31 – “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.”
– Leviticus 20:6 – “If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.”
– Leviticus 20:27 – “A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.”
– 2 Chronicles 33:6 – Manasseh practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists.
The Bible consistently condemns all forms of witchcraft, sorcery, magic spells, divination, mediumship, and pharmakeia as detestable practices that must be avoided. Consulting occult practitioners or using potions and spells to induce spiritual experiences is strictly forbidden.
## Warnings against being deceived by pharmakeia
The Bible issues strong warnings against being deceived by pharmakeia, sorcery, and occult practices. Here are some relevant verses:
– 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 – Saul died because he was unfaithful and consulted a medium, rather than consulting the Lord.
– Isaiah 8:19 – People should consult God, not mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter.
– Jeremiah 27:9-10 – Do not listen to the diviners, sorcerers, interpreters of dreams, mediums or spiritists who say they can tell your fortune.
– Micah 5:12 – God will destroy all forms of witchcraft and idolatry.
– Acts 13:6-11 – Elymas the sorcerer opposed Paul and tried to turn an official from the faith, but was struck blind.
– Acts 16:16-18 – Paul commands an evil spirit to come out of a fortune-telling slave girl.
– Galatians 5:19-21 – Those who practice witchcraft and sorcery will not inherit God’s kingdom.
God’s people must be on guard against pharmakeia’s deceptive and seductive power. The occult arts are dangerous and can lead people far away from God’s truth and protection.
## Connections between pharmakeia and idolatry
Idolatry is strongly linked with sorcery, witchcraft and pharmakeia in the Bible. Consulting mediums and spiritists was equated with sacrificing and worshiping idols:
– Leviticus 19:31 – “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.”
– 2 Kings 21:6 – Manasseh practiced sorcery and consulted mediums, provoking the Lord to anger.
– 2 Chronicles 33:6 – Manasseh practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
– Isaiah 47:12 – “Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries, with which you have labored from your youth; perhaps you may be able to succeed; perhaps you may inspire terror.”
Sorcery and idolatry were often connected in the worship of false gods. Occult rituals would accompany idol worship as people tried to gain spiritual power apart from God.
But the Bible makes clear there is no power in sorcery or idols. God alone has true supernatural power. Reliance on occult forces and idols for guidance is offensive to God.
## Pharmakeia and greed for power
Greed for power, influence and money is often tied to pharmakeia in the Bible. Sorcery was equated with deception aimed at personal gain rather than helping others:
– Acts 8:9-13 – Simon had practiced sorcery and bewitched people in Samaria for a long time. But when he believed in Christ, he was baptized and continued following Philip.
– Acts 8:18-23 – When Simon saw the apostles giving the Holy Spirit through laying on hands, he offered them money for that power. But Peter rebuked him sharply for his wickedness and greed.
– Revelation 21:8 – The cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire.
– Micah 3:5 – God is against the prophets who lead people astray, proclaiming peace when they have something to eat, but declaring war against those who put nothing into their mouths.
True servants of God condemn sorcery motivated by personal gain. They preach repentance and point people to God. Sorcery for power and profit is dangerous and ultimately separates people from God’s kingdom.
## Pharmakeia and the kingdom of God
Those who stubbornly continue in pharmakeia and occult practices cannot inherit the kingdom of God. These acts are fruitless works of darkness that will ultimately be destroyed when God’s kingdom comes in fullness:
– Galatians 5:19-21 – Those who practice witchcraft and sorcery will not inherit God’s kingdom.
– Revelation 22:14-15 – Outside God’s city are sorcerers and everyone who practices magic spells and witchcraft. But only those who do God’s will can enter the city.
– Acts 19:17-20 – Many who became believers renounced their magical practices and burned their expensive books of spells. The word of God grew mightily in power and prevailed.
– Isaiah 2:6 – God has rejected the sorcerers and practices of the eastern religions.
To enter God’s kingdom, one must turn away from darkness and deception. Occult practices represent fruitless works that must be discarded in favor of worshiping God in spirit and in truth.
## Power over pharmakeia through Christ
The book of Acts shows that God’s power is greater than any magic or sorcery. Jesus Christ broke the power of the occult and granted His followers authority to overcome pharmakeia:
– Acts 8:9-13 – Simon’s occult powers were nothing compared to the true power of God. Simon believed and was baptized when he saw God’s miracles.
– Acts 13:6-11 – Saul called and filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked Elymas and struck him blind, overriding his occult powers.
– Acts 16:16-18 – Paul commanded the spirit of divination to come out of the slave girl in the power of Jesus Christ.
– Acts 19:11-20 – Handkerchiefs and aprons touched by Paul cured diseases and evil spirits departed. Those practicing magic burned their sorcery books.
– Mark 16:17-18 – True believers of Christ will cast out demons, speak in new tongues, be unharmed if they drink poison or get bitten by snakes. This power overcame sorcery.
The name of Jesus is above every other name. His authority is supreme over any magic spells and occult activity. There is freedom and power for those who put their trust in Christ alone.
## Conclusion on pharmakeia
In summary, pharmakeia refers to the use of drugs, potions, and occult spells for purposes of sorcery, witchcraft, and magic. It is connected to deception, seduction, greed, and idolatry. Occult practices displease God and obstruct people from inheriting God’s kingdom.
Jesus Christ alone has supreme authority and power to break the influence of pharmakeia. Through faith in Him, people can find freedom from the fruitless works of darkness that keep people bound in sin and deception. God is eager to bring people into His light and truth, if they will turn away from pharmakeia’s seductive influence.