Pray Over It

I take a pretty bold and uncompromising stand when it comes to trusting YHWH for provision and healing.  I trust Him in other areas as well, but there aren't as many arguments in other areas.  Although the majority is dwindling, most folks who claimed to be Bible believers have taken a stand against adultery, fornication, idolatry, etc. if not in deed, at least in word, but provision/prosperity is a big controversy and trusting YHWH for healing is really outside of mainstream, if you're talking no chemicals and no prescriptions!

The book of Galatians seems to be the book most Christians believe stands as a testament to the obsoletion of Torah.  I, personally, believe most of Christendom has misinterpreted Paul's intent in writing to the new believers in Galatia, but that's not the point of this article.  Many believers are beginning to see the power grab of Big Pharma when it comes to our health and they are beginning to seek outside the social tradition of mainstream medicine.  While many have been taught and continue to teach that G-d has given special wisdom to those in the medical field, there really is no Scriptural reference to back up that theology.

Of course, we all know that Luke was referred to as the beloved physician by Paul, but there is absolutely no Scriptural reference that Messiah or the apostles sent anyone to him for healing, or even treatment, for that matter.  To get to the point, there have been several rabbis and pastors who encourage their congregants to utilize the social mainstream of what we call modern medicine.  The term "pharmakeia" was translated to witchcraft in the list of works of the flesh, found in Galatians 5.  It's as easy to recognize the root word for pharmacy in the Greek term pharmakeia as it is to see the root word "porn" in the Greek word that was translated to fornication.

Galatians 5:19-21.  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
I've included the Greek term as well as brief definitions of each word according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance:
Adultery:  Moicheia: (unlawful intercourse of married person)
*** Fornication:  Porneia: (illicit sexual intercourse) (also includes eating what is sacrificed to idols)
Uncleanness:  Akatharsia:  in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living
Lasciviousness: Aselgeia:  unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence
Idolatry:   Eidololatreia:  the worship of false gods
*** Witchcraft:   Pharmakeia:  1.the use or the administering of drugs  2. poisoning
 Hatred:  Echthra:  enmity
Variance:  Eris:  contention, strife, wrangling
Emulations:  Zelos:  excitement of mind, punitive zeal
Wrath:  Thumos:  passion, boiling anger
* Strife: Eritheia:  electioneering or intriguing for office
Seditions:  Dichostasia:  dissention, division
Heresies:  Hairesis:  a body of men following their own tenets
Envyings:  Phthonos:  prompted by envy or jealousy
Murders:  Phonos:  slaughter
* Drunkenness:  Methe:  intoxication
Revellings:  Komos:  carousing, nocturnal riotous procession
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 G-d.

There is an odd correlation between the Greek term for intoxication and the drug slang "meth" in our society, but what has continued to stand the test of time is the teaching that pharmaceuticals are somehow blessed by G-d and these chemical poisons are for our good.  I use the term poisons because that is the ancient Greek definition, as well as the current facts.  The reason for such strict dosage calculation and avoidance of overdose is because pharmaceuticals are carefully measured poison.

On more than one occasion, I've had people tell me, their spiritual leader has advised them regarding this word pharmakeia, to simply pray over their prescription before taking it.  My response is simple.  Is "pray over it" the spiritual counsel for the rest of the list, as well?

Promises of Our Creator

Scripture repeats many times over that our health is to be trusted to Our Heavenly Father.  I'm continually surprised, no longer shocked, but surprised; at the number of people who claim to be observing Torah with faith in Messiah who continue to place their faith in mainstream medicine.  People speak to me, as if my belief regarding health is not conviction based up Scripture.  Trusting Abba rather than using pharmaceuticals is not a matter of my opinion, but conviction of my understanding of Scripture   It's not a matter of not liking doctors or hospitals, Scripture gives clear warning that sorcery and witchcraft are sin and forbidden.  In Galatians 5:20 the term, witchcraft, was translated from the Greek word:  pharmakeia.  In the Revelation all four references to sorceries or sorcerers, come from the Greek root word: pharma.

When physicians actually taught health and "prescribed" herbal remedies, they were sharing their knowledge in how to better utilize what our Creator made for our wellness.  Of course that was back in the days in which doctors made house calls and were paid with a chicken or milk or an exchange of service.  I'm not against that at all!  We have each been given talents and abilities.  Hospitals used to be places of recovery and assisted care.  Now doctors have become representatives for Big Pharmaceuticals and hospitals are what I now term, Sanctuaries of Sorcery.   Many may take that as an over statement, but consider the number of operating rooms, the department of Xray and testing (so we can know what G-d knows,) then consider the size of the pharmacy department, and the medication rooms at each nurse's station.  Consider simply, the square footage of what I described and compare it to the single obscure room known as the inter-faith chapel.
For those who think our Creator is using that, it seems the chapel would be larger than the administrator's office, or at least larger than the restrooms.

I didn't realize how truly saddened I was at this mixing of holy with profane until this past year of hearing how many times someone "tried" natural remedies but they just didn't resolve the issue.  First, I have a few questions.  One:  Is the lifestyle, including diet and rest truly in obedience to Scripture?  Two:  How many OTC chemicals and/or prescriptions were taken before the natural remedies were tried?  Three:  How many months and years does mainstream get to resolve the problem in comparison to the days or weeks natural remedies are tried?  Last:  If prayer and natural remedies fail, are we saying G-d's promises are invalid and creation which He called "good," is lacking?    

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man . . .  
                                                      Psalm 104:14a
Big Pharma is to health care what Monsanto is to agriculture.  Improving on creation . . . taking up the slack for our Creator?