Question:

  Could you tell me where to find the verse that states to "beware of the mind-altering herb"?

  ANSWER:

  Hi, Your quote doesn't exactly appear in the Bible, but I think I catch your drift.

  The Greek word "pharmakia" literally means "drugs", and appears five times in the New Testament: in Gal 5:20, Rev 9:21, 18:23, 21:8, and 22:15. "Pharmakia" is translated into our English Bible as either "witchcraft" or "sorceries". We also get our English word "pharmacy" from the Greek word "pharmakia".

  In each of the above five passages, "pharmakia", or "drugs" is listed as a work of the flesh of man as opposed to the Spirit of God working in us.

  For example, Gal 5:16-23 in the KJV:

16 "[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft ("pharmakia" or drug use), hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance (self control) : against such there is no law."

  The King James Bible translators translated "pharmakia" as "witchcraft", because almost no one but witches and sorcerers used drugs 400 years ago. Drugs were most commonly used in pagan worship to hallucinate and to try to get in touch with evil spirits.

  This can be serious stuff! In Rev. 21:8, God says that people who are continually characterized by drug use will have no part in the Kingdom of God.

  I would recommend learning how to walk in the Spirit and studying the New Testament Epistles to the Churches (Romans to Jude).

  As we grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we will find ourselves wanting to do things that please God.

  Look again at Gal 5:22 & 23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (self control)"

  Isn't that what the whole world is looking for? It's automatic, when we walk in the Spirit!

  The Christian life is a "supernatural" life, and we cannot please God in our own energy. We can only please God by allowing Him to work THROUGH us.

  I have to assume that you love Jesus and want to please him, or you wouldn't even be concerned.

  Please carefully read www.BibleFood.com Page 4, on being led by the Spirit, and let me know if you have further questions.

  May the Lord richly bless you and your loved ones as you learn to walk in the Spirit and please God.

  Bob Jones