This is going to be very controversial. And I haven’t finished it yet, but I look forward to it. This is a place marker as I get time to document the Truth against the lies. There is really no such thing as addiction as the world has defined it, just like there really is no such thing as death. Death is just “separation” from the body, “migration” to another state or place. There are so many myths that needed to be debunked, this will take a while. We can start with drugs and alcohol as it relates to addiction. Everything in our life is the result of bioelectrochemical processes and responses and our life is all about the choices we make. Satan is the father of lies, and the lies are everywhere in this world. But we must seek out Truth.
Most of the world has been brainwashed into thinking that Nicotine is a “drug”, but in actuality it is a potent parasympathomimetic alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants. The Solanaceae, or nightshades, are an economically important family of flowering plants. The family ranges from annual and perennial herbs to vines, lianas, epiphytes, shrubs, and trees, and includes a number of important agricultural crops, medicinal plants, spices, weeds, and ornamentals. Many members of the family contain potent alkaloids, and some are highly toxic, but many cultures eat nightshades, in some cases as staple foods.
Nicotine is a pyrrolidine alkaloid produced in large quantities in the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum), but is also found in lower concentrations in other species such as the potato, tomato, and pepper. Its function in a plant is to act as a defence against herbivores, as it is an excellent neurotoxin, in particular against insects. In fact, nicotine has been used for many years as an insecticide, although its use is currently being replaced by synthetic molecules derived from its structure. At low concentrations, nicotine acts as a stimulant in mammals, which causes the dependency in smokers. Like the tropanes, it acts on cholinergic neurons, but with the opposite effect (it is an agonist as opposed to an antagonist). It has a higher specificity for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors than other ACh proteins.
An electronic cigarette is a battery-powered vaporizer. The primary parts that make up an e-cigarette are a mouthpiece, a cartridge (tank), a heating element/atomizer, a microprocessor, a battery, and possibly a LED light on the end. An atomizer comprises a small heating element that vaporizes e-liquid and wicking material that draws liquid onto the coil. When the user pushes a button or inhales, a pressure sensor activates the heating element that atomizes the liquid solution; The e-liquid reaches a temperature of roughly 100-250 °C within a chamber to create an aerosolized vapor. The user inhales the aerosol, commonly called vapor, rather than cigarette smoke. The aerosol provides a flavor and feel similar to tobacco smoking. This process is almost identical to the use of nebulizers or atomizers for Aromatherapy.
Vegetable glycerin is a common component of e-liquid, a solution used with electronic smoking devices (electronic cigarettes) and aromatherapy ionizers, that is heated with an atomizer to produce an aerosol in order to deliver flavors and optionally nicotine and other plant-derivatives like doTerra essential oils.
The problem with smoking cigarettes is not the nicotine, but rather the tar and over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 possible cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 other toxins. These cigarette ingredients include nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT. Nicotine can be highly “addictive” and has been well- documented as something difficult to choose to stop being under the influence of. “Under the influence” is a much more correct description of using any chemicals than the term “addiction”. Alcohol is not the same category, since it is not derived from plants that God created. But it is, however, derived from a PROCESS that God created.
Fermentation is the process in which yeast breaks down sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. It happens in many difference ways with many different results depending on what breads, fruits or vegetables are allowed to be processed. Drinking alcohol can induce Ketosis or states of mind that are almost identical to that of fasting. Both can cause the body to feed on itself for periods of time and detoxify. And neither can be considered sin otherwise there is no salvation available to Messianic Jews or Christians. Both of these religions believe that the Messiah needed to be sinless, and in fact was sinless in order to be perfect and pay the penalty for the sins of the world. If alcohol or plant derivative (nicotine) consumption is a sin, the Messiah sinned. We all know that is a blasphemous thought. And THOUGHT takes up quite a bit more of our energy that we get from consumption.
The brain is a particularly greedy organ when it comes to energy requirement. To put this comment in perspective consider the following: though our brain represents only about 2% of our body mass, it accounts for about 20% of our energy expenditure for the typical individual who does not have an overactive or high-functioning brain. Muscle mass is primarily what we lose when we spend energy in a state of Ketosis (primarily from fasting), whether 1 day or 40 days. It is therefore extremely important to be moderate and cautious when consuming plant derivatives, alcohol or fasting. One must understand the blood-brain barrier, and an equally important yet misunderstood organ; the skin.
But sticking to alcohol and the Biblical mandates, let us look first at 2 words: shaqah (שָׁקָה) and shaqar (שָׁקַר). Shaqah means: to quaff (drink (something, especially an alcoholic drink) heartily, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to:–cause to (give, give to, let, make to) drink, drown, moisten, water.
Shaqar means: to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or (figuratively) influence:–(be filled with) drink (abundantly), (be, make) drunk(-en), be merry. Some translations use the word “beer”, and I am uncertain if shaqar is to mean beer or “liquor”.
We see that in Leviticus 10, the Levitical priests were told to stop drinking any alcohol at all in the congregations of the temple, not just the high priest in the holy of holies even though we are not Levites and this statute doesn’t apply. It could be said that, just like the Paul told the Ephesians to stop being filled with wine in their congregations of the Body, this was a similar statute. The cabalistical commentator, Baal Hatturim, and others, have supposed, from the introduction of this command here, that Aaron’s sons had sinned through excess of wine as the Ephesians, and that they had attempted to celebrate the Divine service in a state of inebriation.
This is exactly the same prohibition that was given in the case of John the baptizer in Lu 1:15. See the following references. :
Lu 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
Le 10:9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
1Pe 4:3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
The message is quite clear- one cannot be filled with the Spirit when one is full of wine or strong drink (drunk) and no one would argue that drunkenness is considered a sin (transgression of the Covenant instructions). John the baptizer was prophesied that he would remain filled with the Spirit from the womb and was, as Jesus said, greater than all the prophets.
Leviticus 10 continues to say “that you may put difference between holy and unholy”. This is a strong reason why they should drink no inebriating liquor, so that their understanding being clear, and their judgment correct, they might be always able to discern between the clean and the unclean, and always pronounce righteous judgment since that was one of their main functions. Injunctions similar to this were found among the Egyptians, Carthaginians, and Greeks.
Indeed, common sense itself shows that neither a drunkard nor a sot should ever be allowed to minister in set-apart things or judging in the congregation. But in no way is consumption of alcohol or anything that is clean forbidden in scripture. This confusion is no different than the fences that the Rabbis built around Scripture to try and protect people from even being tempted to commit sin (breaking the law of the Covenant or law of Moses). Christian denominations have built their own Gemara and Talmud around Scriptures which they themselves don’t even understand. We are in a far worse predicament as Christians in America; try to imagine 40 thousand sects of Judaism existing when Messiah came the first time. The Father/ Creator of the world has given us many tools for the job of bringing in the Kingdom of Heaven to Eart and the enemy has twisted every single one. Alcohol is no different, and neither is Marijuana or any other herb, fruit:
Ge 1:12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Adam Clarke’s Commentary:
“Verse 11. Let the earth bring forth [grass– herb–fruit-tree, &c.] In these general expressions all kinds of vegetable productions are included. Fruit-tree is not to be understood here in the restricted sense in which the term is used among us; it signifies all trees, not only those which bear fruit, which may be applied to the use of men and cattle, but also those which had the power of propagating themselves by seeds, &c. Now as God delights to manifest himself in the little as well as in the great, he has shown his consummate wisdom in every part of the vegetable creation. Who can account for, or comprehend, the structure of a single tree or plant? The roots, the stem, the woody fibres, the bark, the rind, the air-vessels, the sap-vessels, the leaves, the flowers, and the fruits, are so many mysteries. All the skill, wisdom, and power of men and angels could not produce a single grain of wheat: A serious and reflecting mind can see the grandeur of God, not only in the immense cedars on Lebanon, but also in the endlessly varied forests that appear through the microscope in the mould of cheese, stale paste, &c., &c.”
But the enemy has stolen this, and lied about it turning all of the food and medicine we were given over to pharmaceuticals (pharmakia) to twist and mix what God said was good originally. Let’s take a look at some Scripture on the original intent of alcohol:
2Sa 13:28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine,
Es 1:10 ¶ On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine,
Ec 9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
Ec 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
De 14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
Nu 28:7 And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering.
Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
Amos 9:14 I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit.
1Tim 5:23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)
Pr 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
This is a glimpse at the original purpose of the process of fermentation created by God. But the enemy has used it to destroy the lives of millions of people. Not by drinking it, or even by causing people to get drunk. The problem is the decisions and actions that people often blame on alcohol rather than taking responsibility for their own volition. And the fact of the matter is that alcohol does not make men beat their wives and children. Alcohol does not cause people to commit crime any more than guns cause people to murder or forks make people fat. The content of the heart is the matter we face in the world. Alcohol has a tendency or property, if you will, that magnifies our emotions; and if too much is consumed it will impair your ability to minister in set-apart things or judging in the congregation, our family, our work or our Kingdom work. Just as one can drink “too much” coffee to wake them up and get them going with energy in the morning, so too it is with alcohol consumption to wind down and have a merry heart. What is the difference between drinking coffee and taking vitamins or essential oils?
It is not wise to consume alcoholic beverages during the day, nor is it wise to drink caffeinated beverages at night. It is not wise to consume large amounts of sugar, large portions of food or drink, even processed or genetically-modified food or drink. It is not wise to put pharmaceuticals into our bodies when God has given us herbs, food and alcohol for our ailments and good health. It is not wise to consume too much television, internet (especially stay away from the evil like pornography and witchcraft), mobile devices or video games which warp and desensitize our minds to the things the Father warned us about in the world, especially idleness when we are called to do Kingdom work in spreading the gospel of the Kingdom and discipling others. All these things can become distractions and hindrance to our calling; but to call them sin is difficult since they aren’t all mentioned in Scripture and it is confusing to call them addictions or idols instead of taking responsibility for our choices and actions or the lack thereof.
Let us look at some Scripture that denominations have used to show that alcohol, nicotine and caffeine consumption are sins, by listing all scripture mentioning alcohol:
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Pr 20:1 ¶ Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Isa 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
Pr 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
De 14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
Nu 28:7 And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering. And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
De 7:13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
De 11:14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
De 28:39 Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. (for disobeying, cursed)
De 28:51 And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee. (for disobeying, cursed)
Am 9:14 And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
Joe 3:18 ¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
Joh 2:10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
Lu 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Isa 25:6 ¶ And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
This is not all of the Scripture mentioning wine/ beer, but it is enough to give us an overview of what it was intended for, what to watch out for and what is sin as it relates to it.
What if everything we believe about addiction is wrong?