Burning Truth

"Truth: That which is real; that which exists, good or bad. Truth is absolute, the same for everyone, never relative. The same holds true for all untruth, falsehood, lying. For example, spoiled food is not good for anyone; aggression hurts everyone; tyranny is not beneficial for anyone; love is good for everyone; oxygen is good and necessary for everyone."

We're dealing with the fallout of a drug-dealing, drug-abusing friend of ours as his chemically-induced insanity touches our lives - it's sometimes like an emotional sledge hammer!

The kind of drug-craziness we're talking about is the kind that removes the HUMAN element and introduces the BEAST! It makes people think like caged-animals. He is expeiencing the ugly side of the drug-abusers underworld... the paranoia, the fear, the mistrust, and the RELENTLESS LIES and cold-hearted lifestyle of deception!

From my own limited but comprehensive experience with drug abuse, I must say - the DEALER is the WORST! The DEALER is the kind of person who justifies what they do "by any means necessary"! They will lie upon the lies in order to defend their precious stash of marijuana... crystal meth... or whatever substance is "moving."

Following the crowd, I tried drugs for a season in my life. Experimented with marijuanna, LSD, halucinogenic mushrooms, and even "crystal" methamphetamines. This period lasted 3 years.

It was preceded by a year and a half of tears... crying from sunup to sundown over the loss of a loved one. The thought of "escaping" with state-altering substances was fascinating to me... so I dove into the fray.

People these days like to say, "I'm not ashamed of ANYTHING I've done!" They say it's a sign of self-realization and affirmation. They say it's unhealthy to label any activity or experience as "wrong" or "hurtful."

I gotta say, though... I sure wish I would have said, "No, thanks" to the drugs! The PAIN and DISARRAY that affected my life and the lives of those around me is NOT WORTH THE MOMENTS of "escape" abusing those chemicals (natural or contrived) afforded me.

Mind-altering Drugs = Confusion and Pain...

That's truth, baby.

And the flipside of that underworld is a fascinating offer: Life lived with sobriety and confidence is FILLED with euphoria and the deepest peace and the wildest excitement and most awe-inspiring wonder and even (in the broad, inifinite context of marriage and the marriage bed) sensuous ecstasy.

We are designed for super-abundant life!

Observe the children! Their innocence and wonder is EVERYWHERE! Children all over the world exhibit for us adults the standard of excellent life that remains to be achieved in our adulthood.

That's truth, too.... baby.

See? "Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" (Matthew 18:2-4 - New King James Version)

But the DRUG WORLD twists our True world (of humanity and the rest of creation) and presents a distorted FALSE image of the real.

And that's why I think the following ancient passage of scripture is such an appropriate commentary on today's drug culture:

Romans 1:18 - "These people hold back God's truth by the wrong things they do."
(Worldwide English Version)

See how many aspects of drug abuse, drug dealers you can see in this extended context of the passage -

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[3] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,[4] unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

(New King James Version: Romans 1:18-32)

God help us all. It is this drug-dependency that makes our present world appear so distorted.

And the ancient prophecy in the book of Revelations warns us that people will CLING to this "pharmakeia" untill the bitter end. Note that "pharmacy" is translated as "sorecery" or "witchcraft" and it will be an intricate part of the "merchants" or commerce of the age.

Revelation 9:21 and 18:23

So what can be done to avoid this sorcery and controlling manipulation aided by drugs?

Enter Truth.