What Does The Bible Say About Medicine?

Medicine provides us access to treatment for different ailments. Should a Christian accept medication, seeing that we are a people of faith? Find out what the Bible says about medicine in this article.

What Does The Bible Say About Medicine

Branches of medicine continue to proffer solution to different forms of health challenges. Life for many has become better because of advances in medical technology.

Today, we will look at medicine from the Bible, and whether the Christian should use it or not.

What Does The Bible Say About Medicine And Doctors?

The Bible is our highest authority regarding any matter of life. Although, it may not state some things specifically, it may state something around it that can give us a speculative idea of how to deal with such things.

Medicine and doctors for example, are subjects that can be found in the Bible. In some translations of the Bible, we may see words like “physician,” “healer,” etc.

God is called the Physician (the One that heals) in the Old Testament, and Jesus is called the Great Physician in the New Testament.

Ancient medical practices or medical centers are cited in scriptures.

“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” Jeremiah 8:22
“On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”” Mark 2:17

(Note: All Bible quotations are from the NIV unless otherwise stated)

What Does The Bible Say About Medicine KJV?

Find below some Bibles verses about Medicine from the KJV:

“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. (KJV)” 1Timothy 5:23
“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. (KJV)” Isaiah 38:21
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (KJV)” Proverbs 17:22
“And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. (KJV)” Ezekiel 47:12
“There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines. (KJV)” Jeremiah 30:13
“Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured. (KJV)” Jeremiah 46:11

Is Medicine Against The Bible?

Nowhere in the Bible is medicine condemned. On the contrary, it recommends it instead.

Although many circles believe that medicine contradicts the will of God or the concept of faith in God, such a stance is not supported by the Bible. Whether it is herbal or alternative or any form of medical treatment, medicine in general does not go against the Bible.

Medicine serves to save the lives of people, something that can only be the fulfilment of God’s desire. So long as it does not turn to spiritual means for healing, the Bible and medicine do not contradict each other.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (KJV)” Proverbs 17:22

The verse above says something worthy of note. It says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…” meaning that medicine does good to whoever uses it. Medicine and doctors should be considered as God’s blessings.

If this is the case, how then does it go against the Word of God, which is good?

What Does The Bible Say About Taking Medication?

The Bible encourages people who need medicine to take them believing that God will use them as a medium for healing them.

Consider the verses below:

“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” 1Timothy 5:23
“Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine (NKJV)” Ezekiel 47:12
“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” Jeremiah 8:22

What Does The Bible Say About Preventive Medicine?

Preventative medicine is the branch of medical science that deals with methods (as vaccination) of preventing the occurrence of disease.

There are a lot of controversy regarding preventive medicine. The Bible does not say anything about this branch of science whether it is right or wrong. However, in matters like this, the believer should consider the following:

  • Do my convictions align with it, or do I have doubts and fears? Can I take this in faith?
“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” Romans 14:5
  • What is the Holy Spirit telling me?
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Romans 8:14
  • What is the purpose of the vaccination? Does it do me more good?

Vaccines are meant to prevent disease infections and so on. The wisdom there is this: understand that God is the Healer, and this is a medium that He can use to heal me and keep me safe, just as with a hygienic lifestyle.

What Does The Bible Say About Medicine

What Does The Bible Say About Forced Medicine?

Forced medicine involves the administration of medicine without the consent of the patient in question.

There could be many reasons surrounding this act. Hence, we could say that it all depends on the situation.

For example, if it involves a psychiatric case, it is more a necessary act than a “forced” one. Other cases might work similarly.

However, the Bible does not mention forced medicine or talk about it in any way. But if it involves receiving a treatment for good, then it says the same about it as it does other about forms of administration.

What Does The Bible Say About Surgery?

Since we have been able to establish that God is not against doctors or medicine. Let us look closely at the concept of having a surgery.

If by “surgery,” we mean going under the knife simply because we want to alter or enhance any part of our body to look in a particular manner different from our natural self (without injury, loss, or damage of any part prior), then we are going against God into idolatry.

Our bodies, people’s opinions, or approval has become our idols. Thereby, making God’s masterpiece insignificant, forgetting that your body is God’s temple, and should be appreciated.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1Corinthians 6:19-20

However, if surgery means the medical practice of repairing or restoring an injured, lost, diseased, defective, or misshapen part or area of the body by a doctor, then it is supported like every other aspect of the medical practice stated so far.

Here are a few encouraging verses to consider for a surgery:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalms 56:3
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

What Does The Bible Say About Pharmaceuticals?

Pharmaceuticals involve the manufacture and sales of drugs. Does the Bible condemn or approve of this?

So far, we have seen that the Bible does not condemn medicine, so long as they do not come between us and God, and our faith in his sovereign ability to heal us. God is the Healer, and wants our faith on Him no matter the circumstances.

Here are a few scriptures about the use of medicine, which closely relate to pharmaceuticals:

“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” Jeremiah 8:22
“On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Matthew 9:12
“Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.” Colossians 4:14
“Babylon will suddenly fall and be broken. Wail over her! Get balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed.” Jeremiah 51:8
“It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. (NLT)” Revelations 22:2

Joseph

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