The Greek word for sorcery is pharmakeia. In reading that, you’re probably already thinking about a pharmacy or pharmaceuticals, right? That is appropriate, seeing as how pharmakeia was often seen as a form of sorcery that used drugs. As one commentary explains,
In classical Greek pharmakeia referred to the use of drugs whether for medicinal or more sinister purposes, e.g., poisoning. In the New Testament, however, it is invariably associated with the occult, both here in Galatians [5:20] and in Revelation, where it occurs twice (Rev 9:21; 18:23). English translations usually render pharmakeia as “witchcraft” (KJV, NIV) or “sorcery” (RSV, NEB). These words correctly convey the idea of black magic and demonic control, but they miss the more basic meaning of drug use. In New Testament times pharmakeia in fact denoted the use of drugs with occult properties for a variety of purposes including, especially, abortion. (George, Timothy. The New American Commentary: Galatians. Edited by David S Dockery, vol. 30, Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994, p. 394.)
Furthermore, according to the Jewish mindset found in 1 Enoch 7:1, the rebellious sons of God who took up human wives in Genesis 6, taught humans “charms and enchantments, and the cutting of roots, and made them acquainted with plants.” Therefore, this popular Jewish book (which our own Bible even references theologically at times) shows us that the Jews didn’t think drug use and sorcery were created out of nowhere, but were taught to us by fallen spiritual beings—all the more reason God would forbid such practices.
Now we all know that drugs have scientific effects on us. By no means do I think taking drugs (even illegal or sorcery-related drugs) therefore automatically guarantees some kind of demonic experience; nor do I think the drugs that doctors prescribe to us are bad—but I would suggest that there is, at times, more connection between drug use and spiritual engagement than we often give credit for. And in that light, I think we can see that even enlightened minds are still chasing after and desiring something spiritual.
Whether recreational, mind-altering drugs become legal or not in our state, the Christian is to stay away from them for spiritual reasons like those above. We do not need drugs to have an experience with the Holy Spirit. We often need to create an intentional space to hear his quiet voice, but we don’t need the assistance of drugs to do it. We can’t force the Holy Spirit to speak if he does not want to, and any drugs that might engage us in the spiritual realm could be setting us up for danger.
As Christians, we may not always know where science ends and the spiritual begins in drug experiences. Still, great caution is necessary as we don’t want to give ourselves over to the fascination of the occult. Wait upon the Lord in sober prayer and let the Holy Spirit be in charge of what spiritual reality you can and can’t have access to. Don’t try to force your way into the spiritual by your own means.
This is an adaptation of my book, Alien Theology. Much is missing from this adaptation as most comments from this section can’t be made without the prior chapters being read first. Feel free to grab a physical, Kindle, or Kindle Unlimited copy on Amazon or the audiobook on Audible.
Jamin Bradley 
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