“… because in your spell inducing drugs all the races were led astray” (Rev. 18:23, Heritage Bible)
In the previous teachings we argued that there are two broad causes of depression: the first is medical in nature, and the second is linked to psychological factors. Henry Wright, in his book A More Excellent Way, makes the following statement: “depression, by definition, is no more and no less than a chemical imbalance in the body induced externally or internally” (p. 234).
It is a fact that chemical imbalances in the brain can cause depression, and this needs to be treated by a professional person. But – it is also important that the natural, external factors that bring about depression firstly be handled as far as practically possible.
Various aspects of our modern life serve as triggers of a dormant or developing illness: bad eating habits, exposure to chemical medicine and toxic food, lack of exercise and a healthy lifestyle, stress, insufficient rest, etc. It is of great importance that all these external factors firstly be handled before simply reaching for a pill to solve the problem. All these external roleplayers in the establishing of the state of depression impacts the delicate balance of the body, and can according to the latest research even cause DNA-mutations that establish depression on a cellular level. If it is then sustained by chemical medication so that dependancy and not healing flows from it, it is not part of God’s agenda for healing and physical fulfilment.
The fact that the pharmacological revolution over the last couple of years has taken over medical science, coupled with the fact that chemical medication is available too easily, has definitely contributed to the chemical imbalance in the brains of its users, which for those with a disposition towards depression has become a life of chemical dependancy.
The disposition stems from possible genetic factors, personality profile characteristics and an already-existing dependance on medication. The chicken-and-egg situation here is that people who are prone to depression are immediately treated with chemical medication, which then places the patient in a situation that is very hard to turn around. “The side affects of these drugs are incredible. They are serotonin enhancers. When serotonin is released off the dendrite ends in your body, the drugs block the return, thus prolonging the effectiveness of it. It is out there longer, which gives the person a sense of well being.” (Wright, p. 22). The implications of this are clear – it becomes a chemical dependancy that over time affects the quality of your life.
Lengthy use of chemical medication affects the chemical balance of the body. It affects how the body functions, especially also in terms of metabolic processes. This medication can affect how you feel, how you think and act, can influence your personality, and how you react to the outside world. It can even rewrite your DNA, allowing you to function in an artificial world. The life is in the blood, we know from Lev. 17:11, and thus not only your blood is under the influence of pharmakeia, but also your soul dimension.
In her disturbing book, Pharmakeia: A Hidden Assasin, Ana Mendez Ferrell alleges the following: “12 million people die every year in the western society due to side effects of correctly prescribed medications. The pharmaceutical companies are a trillion dollar industry that promotes sickness and not health, to make money. Never in history has society been as sick as it is today. The consumption of medicine has increased from 2 pills per person in 1950 to 18 pills in 2009. Death due to medications is 10 times greater than that caused by illegal drugs. 30% of people that are hospitalized are due to side effects of medicine.”
The words “pharmacy” and “pharmaceutical” are derived from the Greek word “pharmakeia” (Strong’s G5331). Listen to what the dictionary of etymology writes about it: “From G5332; medication (“pharmacy”), that is, (by extension) magic (literal or figurative): – sorcery, witchcraft.” Strongs 5332 is the word “pharmakeus”, and the definition is: “From φάρμακον pharmakon (a drug, that is, spell giving potion); a druggist (“pharmacist”) or poisoner, that is, (by extension) a magician: – sorcerer.”
These words are found in the following four Scriptures, but as is clear, the original meaning of the word is not found in any of the following translated texts:
- 5:19-22: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
- 9:21: “And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”
- 18:23: “The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.”
- 21:8: “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
The term “sorcery” is translated elsewhere as “intoxications” (ACV), “drinking bouts” (CAB), “drunkenness” (DRB), “uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions” (Msg). It is only the Heritage Bible, quoted in the opening text, that alludes to the original root meaning of the word.
If one considers the idea that there is a direct attempt from the kingdom of darkness to prevent the believer from inheriting the kingdom by means of “pharmakeia” (which does not mean that you are lost, remember – refer to the teachings of Day 290-291), it is of the greatest importance that you first pursue other avenues of healing before following the chemical route. If you are already following the chemical route, it is important to also start pursuing the paths of natural healing and spiritual healing. But do not stop taking your medication – this again affects the chemical balance in your brain, and you cannot afford such a disturbance at this point.
Keep Ex. 15:26 as a constant guideline and pray and proclaim it: “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”
- Selah: Pray about the role and influence of pharmakeia in your life.
- Read: 2 Chr. 4-5; 1 Kings 7-8.
- Memorise: 2 Chr. 5:13 (Notice the typological synchronicity in terms of the temple!).
For a more in-depth understanding: Read any of the books mentioned above.
