Called 4 Jesus

By TA York*

##Understanding Pharmakeia

In Strong’s Greek translation, “Pharmakeia” has four definitions:

1. The use or administering of drugs
2. Poisoning
3. Sorcery and magical arts, often connected with idolatry and fostered by it
4. Metaphorically, the deceptions and seductions of idolatry

What strikes me is that only one of these four definitions serves humanity’s good. The other three are tools of Satan.

##A Street Encounter

While sharing the Gospel on the street, a gentleman struggling with drug addiction asked me, “Why should I trade one addiction—drugs—for another addiction—God?”

This led me to ask a deeper question: “How much of God do you want?”

##Wanting Only a Piece

Many people unknowingly answer, “I only want a piece of God.” They demonstrate this by not completely obeying Him, by continuing to live independent lives.

I speak with many people who claim to have a relationship with God, yet they still smoke marijuana. Their reasoning? “Well, it’s legal, right? So I’m going to do it.”

While it may be legal by human law, by God’s law it produces spiritual death.

**1 Peter 1:13** reminds us: “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”

## The Devil’s Trap

Let me be clear: pharmakeia is the devil’s trap.

I’ve spoken with people hooked on fentanyl, which is ten times more powerful than heroin. Smoking marijuana no longer provided the high they craved, so they required stronger drugs to achieve their desired feeling.

This illustrates definition #4: the deception and seduction of idolatry—the idol of chasing the drug.

Eventually, users die from overdose (definition #2). People are drawn to the “magical” qualities of drugs and the feelings they produce (definition #3).

## Peter’s Example

In **Luke 5:8**, when Simon Peter witnessed Jesus’ power, “he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’”

Did Peter really want Jesus to leave? Absolutely not! It was the shame of living a sinful life that made him tell Jesus to go away.

## God’s Peace

**Philippians 4:7** promises: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Dear friends, don’t you want this peace?

## A Prayer for Peace

If you desire God’s peace instead of just a piece of temporary satisfaction, pray this prayer aloud:

*”Dear Jesus, forgive me of all my sins. I know that I’m far from You. I want You, Jesus, to come into my life. Thank you for forgiving me. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”*

## Moving Forward

Dear family in Christ, I encourage you to:
– Find a good Christian church
– Pray daily
– Read the Bible daily

God bless you.