We have all become slaves to very powerful entities without even knowing it. The slave trade is nothing new to an unregenerate world. This slavery has taken on many different forms affecting millions of people in every decade since the dawn of creation. We won’t be fighting for the rights of an enslaved race of people as William Wilberforce did in England many years ago. No, we will be fighting a new slave trade, in our present day, that has captured the souls of all humanity, not just in America. We will still be fighting big money as before, that some say, is holding up the very foundations of our economy. Dear friends, we have become salves to a much greater power than just plantation owners and sugar producers seeking to make a profit by using slaves brought over from Africa. We have unknowingly become slaves to many things which would take more than just this one article to describe. So, we will only concentrate our efforts on one thing that’s holding humanity hostage to a life of slavery.

We as a people have become slaves to our drugs or big Pharma. There is really no end to this slavery. They keep coming up with more drugs, almost daily, to supposedly cure our every physical and mental condition, caused in large part by the introduction of new toxins into our environment, processed foods, and side effects from the drugs. Drugs are a huge topic, consisting of recreational or street drugs, mind altering drugs typically used to treat never-ending psychological disorders, and prescription drugs used to treat our physical problems or relieve every little pain. If you add to this, all the over-the-counter drugs, legalized marijuana, and vitamins, we can easily see how the production of these drugs through the pharmaceutical industry has had a tremendous impact upon the world economy, affecting every area of society. These drugs are easily distributed by street drug dealers, medical doctors, pharmacies, drugstores, and even online stores. However, what will mainly concern us today is the heart-breaking slavery to these drugs, precipitated by flashy advertisements, promising pain free happy lives, enjoying all that life can offer.

Not every drug causes hard core addiction. However, every drug can lead to an unrealized habit of taking the drug for years, continually subjecting our bodies to their side effects that grow worse the more we take the drug. Yes, every drug has a side effect, and our bodies are paying the price physically, psychologically, and even Spiritually. We have unknowingly become slaves to the big pharmaceutical companies. These drugs are not the end of the story. Our slavery runs much deeper. Every year there are new viruses affecting the entire world from the seasonal flu to the latest pandemic of COVID-19. Never fear, for big Pharma rushes to the rescue with another vaccine to solve our problem, which they may, in part, have caused in the first place. It’s not the subject of this article to cast blame. On the other hand, it is my greatest desire to set the captives free from the slavery of these drugs and what they are doing to our bodies. Moreover, how these drugs are adversely affecting our Spiritual life.

Perhaps it is no accident that the word pharmaceutical comes from the Greek word (pharmakeia, a drug, the ministering of drugs) (lit. or fig.) means sorcery, witchcraft that’s used in Galatians 5:22 where the Apostle lists the carnal sins of the flesh. The sorcerers monopolized the word, pharmakeia, for a while in their magical arts and used it in connection to idolatry, which is quite instructive for our current study. God is fiercely opposed to any kind of idolatry because it transfers a person’s trust and worship in someone or something other than having total reliance upon God. Let that sink in. Drugs have become the world’s new idols. Idols that cannot see or talk but can lead the entire world to the altar of worship by depending upon drugs almost exclusively to bring forth health and happiness, apart from depending on God alone. Furthermore, their dependence is so strong that they are willing to overlook the many side-effects that are violating Scripture that says, “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (I Corinthians 3:17).

I know that healthy eating, drinking plenty of water, and exercising will not solve every problem. On the other hand, I am convinced that following and trusting in God’s council alone will solve all of your psychological problems. It will also help you solve many, if not most, of your physical problems through a right mindset, proper discipline, patience and long-suffering. It’s a proven fact that most ailments will just go away on their own if we are patient and learn to endure through the grace of long-suffering (a fruit of the Spirit). Now let me be very clear, I am not suggesting that you just throw away all of your medication. No, you may have been in bondage a very long time and it will take time to break those bondages. It will take time to become free from the shackles of slavery. The good news is you can begin today by believing the Gospel that God is not kidding; that He truly wants to make you into a new creation free from all the bondages of the old life (See II Corinthians 5:17).

So, how do we walk in this freedom? The Bible says, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (I Corinthians 9:27). A little historical research really brings this verse to life especially if the Spirit is opening the door. “Keep under my body” is to render a knockout blow causing a black and blue eye literally. This is the aim of the Apostle, to render a knockout blow to the old sin nature who wants to feed our vanity, control our every thought, subject our body to the grossest of immorality, and participate in the willful destruction of our bodies. The Apostle’s intent on subjecting his whole body to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is that he would not be considered a “castaway.” If he became a castaway his preaching would be in vain. He would miss the mark and his entrance to heaven. Therefore, he chose freedom in Christ over slavery to the whims and cravings of the body.

We walk in the freedom of Christ by putting our body, especially our old sin nature, under subjection, no longer allowing it to control our every thought and action. This will take a lot of hard work but not impossible for God’s holy children. No, we won’t be beating our body into subjection as some of the ancients did by causing tremendous abuse or damage to their bodies. We will allow the indwelling Spirit to have full reign in our bodies every moment of every day, allowing Him to bring forth and cultivate Spiritual fruit. The Bible says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). This Spiritual fruit in the believer’s life is the key to a healthy body and good mental health. If we consistently put off the old life, the works of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21) while at the same time putting on the new life in Christ by allowing the Spirit to bring forth his fruit the shackles of slavery will fall off. This is not wishful thinking, it is reality.

Here is the beauty of God’s truth, experiencing the great exchange that leads to total freedom in Christ.  Put off the old life of idolatry (misplaced trust), sorcery (drug dependence) and put on the new life producing the fruit of longsuffering (enduring the pain) and faith (trusting in God). Yes, there will be a great struggle between the old life and the new life in Christ, but the end result is love, joy, and peace as opposed to a life of hatred, depression, and anxiety. Dear children, allow God to bring healing to your bodies and minds without seeking out the world for their help, that almost always leads to some form of addiction, side effects, and continued slavery.  So, let us become servants to the Father and no longer slaves to the god of this world. Yes, my friends, it is the god of this world and the powers of darkness that have raised up the pharmaceutical industry to put the world’s children into slavery. Just remember, Satan’s desire is to keep everyone drugged, docile, and dependent on him, whereas God’s desire is freedom in Christ. Freedom at last! Amen

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