I just drugged myself

Okay, but what if you are already saved and you study the Bible daily, what is wrong with studying other books as well? It seems your verse would not apply in this situation. There is a difference between seeking knowledge for knowledge sake, and seeking knowledge to be arrogant.

 

Filmproducer,

If one is unsaved, it matters not for what reason they study those books. One will not be accepted of Christ for knowing that Centralia Pennsylvania has had underground mines on fire for years, or for knowing the chemical elements of water, or for having enough knowledge to produce movies, or for writing or anything as far as that goes. If they do not have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, they will spend eternity in the lake of fire.

And even for the saved one, the majority of books out there, even educational books are not glorifying Christ.

 

Baptist curriculum certainly is! It would also draw an unsaved person to Christ.

Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but I do agree that without wisdom, it is just so many words.

Fortunately, God allows us to get a handle on both knowledge AND wisdom...

 

So, now we have to be planet concious? Hug trees and kiss whales? No thianks, I'll just read the Word of God.

 

repeating my question for DITW, one more time...getting back in the OP's general direction...

Is taking prescription pain medication for, let's say, grade-2 spondyloisthesis/degenerating vertebrae (L3-5)...is that sinful?

Hmmmm?

Still awaiting your reply.

 

rbell,

I am exercising wisdom and not speaking. Either way I answer, I will be frowned on, so I will take Biblical advice

Proverbs 21:23 23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

 

But earlier you said...

It was said in the context of legally prescribed drugs being taken for ailments. It seems that you are indicating that pain medicine is sinful.

I'm simply asking you to clarify something you said earlier. Proverbs 21:23 is a great verse, but your mouth has already opened on the subject... so you might as well clarify what you mean.

Besides that...if you know you're right on a subject, why should you keep silent simply because you'll be "frowned upon?" If it's the truth, shouldn't you put it out there?

Rbell

 

rbell,

I have given my answer. Even Jesus at times kept silent.

 

Jesus didn't make outlandish assertions and refuse to clarify them.

Your "silence" (you weren't nearly as silent three pages ago) speaks volumes.

 

rbell,

you did not accept my answer,

 

ditw,

Your answer is unclear...I think...although I suspect you think that anyone who takes any form of prescription pain meds is sinning. If you do, God forbid that you should ever be in a great deal of pain, as I often am. I doubt you could handle it, but maybe I'm wrong.

I take great care to be accountable and transparent regarding my pain and its treatment. My pharmacist (a deacon here), my wife, and my pastor know how I treat my condition. I go to great lengths to avoid overuse of the meds (I hate how they make me feel anyway, but sometimes pain relief is more important). I do not daily take pain medicine (of the narcotic variety), but sometimes it is necessary.

If you think it's sinful, then...
-I hope you never experience the pain I have.
-I hope your wife (if you're married) never has to have a major medical procedure.
-I hope you don't ever have ankle reconstruction, with four screws, two plates, and a nine-iinch pin placed in your ankle.
-I hope no one in your family ever has terminal cancer.
-I hope no one in your family ever experiences any form of mental illness or brain injury that necessitates medication.
-I hope that God willing, when a cure for Alzheimer's is found, you (or someone close to you) don't have the disease.

Why? 'Cause you'll probably be "sinning" at some point...taking a "mind-altering substance," to treat said conditions.

If I've misread you, then hey, I asked for a clarification. Instead, you decided to "remain silent" (hmmm....didn't seem necessary a few pages ago). I find it humorous that you worry that you'll be "frowned upon." If you know the truth, why should our negative reactions concern you? Tell the world! Since when did you get timid about speaking up?

 

Since the owner of this computer is currently not taking medications that will alter his mind, I think I can safely say that if it comes down to great pain in his life, I believe the Lord will be faithful and not put on him more than he can bear as he as promised.

It is late here and the owner of this pc will be up in a few hours. And I must sleep.

Having said that, I bid you Good Night.

Oh, and just in case you were wondering. I have permission to use the PC. Besides, he reads the posts.

 

The Army has passed a new reg. allowing caffeine tablets to be given to troops who are in combat situations and need help staying awake. They are provided by the government to the soldiers in 50 mG tablets.

They have been found to be the safest and most effective way of keeping our troops alert and keep their minds sharp without the use of "drugs". Side effects are negligible and troops remain alert when the boots-hit-the-ground (a small requirement to keep yourself alive when a lot of lead is flying your direction and you've been awake for three days trying to stay alive.)

 

Helen, I thank God for someone with your heart. God bless you as you minister to these precious children.

I sincerely hope that DITW never has to experience pain or difficulties that neccessitate "mind-altering medication." I mean that.

But, odds are, he (or someone close to him) probably will at some point.

When he does, his extra-biblical prohibitions, bad exegesis, and hyperjudgemental attitudes will probably evaporate fairly quickly.

I have a relative in the final stages of life with terminal cancer. Without analgesic relief, they would be in constant, horrific pain.

Thank God that through medical means they have been able to have moments of comfort in their final days. I guess that in DITW's opinion,

God's solution cannot include medical means...interesting...

 

Do you not believe that the Lord is faithful who promised? Did He not say He would not put on us more than we could bear?

I do not believe the way of escape He speaks of in that verse is alcohol or drugs.

Paul affirmed this in his Epistle to the Thessalonians htat we are appointed to afflictions. The psalmist wrote 'Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Is your dependency on drugs? or on the Lord who is the deliverer?

Again, where in Scripture did Jesus prescribe drugs for an infirmity?

 

Digging,

You never see a doctor? You never have had an operation? You have never taken aspirin? You really don't believe that a faithful Christian should ever seek medical help?

Bro Tony

 

Digging, that is a very dangerous interpretation of God's word... you have just condemned every Christian that has ever lived. God gave us the wisdom to use the chemicals of the Earth to heal us.

In the Bible, they poured oil over wounds to heal... Jesus spoke of this during the parable of the Good Samaratan.

Also an interpretation of James 5:14 describes the oil as medicinal, as it was common in that day to use oil for medicine.

James 5:14
(14) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

If you view it that way, it says that it is ok to go to take medicine, but it will be the Lord that heals.

You are treading on thin ice if you say we as Christians shouldn't take medicine. Have you been vaccinated?

My son has epilepsy. He has had brain surgery, and has tried every epileptic drug.. they work for a while, then the effects wear off. he has even been on the drug Helen spoke of Trileptal.

You offend me big time to tell me we don't trust Christ. I don't think I have ever been this angry on BB.

There are people suffering with depression, anxiety, and all other kinds of diseases and for you to come on here and condemn them is a sin!

You are trying to tell people that they cannot use what God has given them to heal them and treat their diseases.... that is no better than the people in the temple that were keeping sinners from the house of God, through money changing.

The misuse of drugs is wrong, but to use them the way a Dr (that has a GOD given gift of knowledge and wisdom) tells them to, is acceptable and honorable.

Someone else on BB spouted off this garbage about 9 months ago, and I don't remember who it was... but it was sinful then, and still is.

And no he has never promised he would not put on us more than we could bear.... He said he will not allow us to be TEMPTED beyond what we can bear... Big difference.

He does allow things that we cannot bear to come into our lives so it will drive us to him who can really bear them.

That is trust! Taking it to Christ when WE can't bear it.

 

I do notice in James 5:14 Let him call on the elders of the church.

Yes, Jesus did say the sick need a physician. But Americans, no... Christians in general have become a people who are becoming dependent on drugs. Paul said many are sick because they drink of the cup unworthily. Paul also said we are appointed to afflictions.

Am I being like one of Job's comforters? Could be. But then again, it could be a message the Lord has given in these last days for people to search themselves; to examine their walk with the Lord and where their hope lies.

I have seen the Lord keep people from sickness all their lives. I have seen God allow sickness for many reasons. I have seen people depend on God's hand when the sickness comes upon them. And yes, I have seen many turn to doctors.

I have also seen many medications have side effects that are worse than the original sickness. I have seen prescribed medicines that cause people to be addicted for life.