LightGrams
March 18, 2021
Volume 25, Number 11
Steve Brandenburg has been a pharmacist for 23 years; he knows about safe handling practices of medications designed to protect or restore the health of patients. But on the evenings of December 24 and 25 of last year, he rendered a box of vials of COVID-19 vaccine either less effective or totally ineffective. He did it deliberately.
The incident received nationwide news coverage in those early days of the vaccine rollout. At that time armed guards were present at shipping points of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, making sure no one hijacked the precious vials. Who could have imagined a public health worker doing what Brandenburg did?
According to reports, Brandenburg believes in conspiracy theories that suggested the vaccines were part of a plan to invade American lives and make us subservient to evil forces. In his mind he was doing good by making those vaccines ineffective. He has since pleaded guilty to the charges, and will likely have time behind bars to reflect on his actions.
Most of us consider this man’s actions as awful, even inhumane. Each vial contains enough vaccine for five or six people to be given protection against a deadly virus. People need this medicine; it shouldn’t be tampered with.
The apostle Paul faced an even more disastrous situation in Galatia. He wrote to the Christians there, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6,7). Paul was emphatic that only the heaven-approved gospel of Christ could save their souls.
Satan, however, is the master deceiver. After warning the Corinthians about “deceitful workers”, Paul elaborated: “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). What they peddle looks like truth – but it is a lie.
John, the apostle of love, also warned against this danger: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). And how does one “test” the things heard? By comparing everything to the standard, to the word of God, the Bible.
Satan still tries to render impotent the powerful word of God (see Romans 1:16). If you allow him, he’ll dilute God’s vaccine for you by mixing it with ideas that are more appealing and acceptable. Accept no substitutes! Demand “pure milk” (1 Peter 2:1,2)!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2020, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “[email protected]” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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