“Do not come to be among heavy drinkers of
wine, among those who are gluttonous eaters of flesh.”—Proverbs
23:20.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
The Bible is not a
medical textbook; nor does it regulate every aspect of human behavior. Still,
you can benefit from understanding God’s view of health as expressed in the
Bible.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
Numerous Bible passages shed light on how God
feels about the way we treat our bodies. For instance, the Bible condemns
harmful excesses, including drunkenness and gluttony. (Proverbs 23:20)
God’s Law code given to ancient Israel included measures that would control and
in some cases even prevent diseases. The Law also incorporated specific safety
regulations for the prevention of injuries. (Deuteronomy 22:8)
Clearly, the Bible encourages us to take care of our bodies and take reasonable
measures to protect our health.
According to the
Bible, why do we get sick?
“Through one man sin entered into the world
and death through sin.”—Romans 5:12.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Many believe that sickness is simply a quirk
of human evolution. Others think that mysterious forces, such as evil spirits,
are the cause of our health problems.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
According to the Bible, we get sick as a
result of the first human rebellion against God. (Romans 5:12)
Before their rebellion, our first parents, Adam and Eve, enjoyed perfect
health. They knew that they would die if they withdrew from God’s loving care.
(Genesis 2:16, 17)
Still, they willfully severed their friendship with God and lost their
perfection. *
The
flawed nature of our rebellious first human parents has been passed on to us.
Hence, despite all efforts to eliminate human maladies, we still get sick.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
The Bible teaches that if you become
reconciled to God by obeying his wise principles, you will eventually enjoy
perfect health in an earthly paradise. (Isaiah 33:24)
God promises to eliminate pain, sickness, and death.—Revelation 21:3, 4.
Does the Bible
discourage medical treatment?
“Persons in health do not need a physician,
but the ailing do.”—Matthew
9:12.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Some promote spiritual healing (also known as
faith healing) over medical treatment.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
God allowed health-care practitioners to
operate among his people in Bible times. (Genesis 38:28; Colossians 4:14)
There is nothing in the Bible that would indicate that God was displeased with
their use of medicinal plants, ointments, prescribed diets, and other health
treatments. In fact, Jesus acknowledged that “persons in health do not need a
physician, but the ailing do.”—Matthew 9:12.
Yet,
the Bible does not endorse the pursuit of health at all costs. For instance,
the Bible does not endorse the modern-day practice of faith healing. And cures
that involve spiritistic practices are not approved by God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
Aside from practices that the Bible condemns, the sensible thing to do when
faced with infirmities would be to seek appropriate health care promptly, if it
is available.
Please note: If using your Mobile: click on the above play button and swipe the information pages to your left
And he shewed me a pure river of water
of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of
the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and
yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing
of the nations.
And there shall be no more curse: but
the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve
him:
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in
their foreheads.
And there shall be no night there; and they need no
candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they
shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation
22:1-5
And when they
came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were
bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
And the people
murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
And he cried
unto the Lord;
and the Lord shewed
him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet:
there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken
to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is
right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his
statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought
upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
And they came
to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees:
and they encamped there by the waters. Exodus 15:23-27
