Surgery isn’t mentioned specifically in the Bible, but the concept of healing and medical care is present throughout Scripture. God is described as the ultimate healer, but the Bible also recognizes the role of human wisdom and medicine in treating illness. We’ll look at what biblical principles can guide us in making decisions about surgery and medical care.
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What Does The Bible Say About Surgery
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
This verse reminds us that God is a healer who is capable of both physical and emotional restoration. In the context of surgery, it gives us reassurance that God is present in our healing process and has the power to mend our wounds, whether they be of the body or the heart.
Isaiah 38:16
“O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. O restore me to health and make me live!”
Hezekiah’s prayer in this verse demonstrates his dependence on God’s healing power. It serves as a reminder that we can also cry out to God in times of sickness or after surgery, seeking His restoration and the revival of our spirits.
Matthew 9:35
“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.”
This verse showcases Jesus’ ministry of healing, which included both physical and spiritual restoration. It encourages us to have faith in God’s ability to bring about healing and wholeness, even in the midst of medical procedures.
James 5:14-15
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”
In this passage, James prescribes a practice of seeking prayer and anointing from the leaders of the church for healing. It reminds us of the power of corporate prayer and highlights the importance of involving the faith community in moments of illness and surgery.
Psalm 103:2-3
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”
This psalm of praise acknowledges God as the one who forgives sins and heals diseases. It is a beautiful reminder that in His mercy, God offers both physical and spiritual healing, and we can trust Him in times of surgery and recovery.
Jeremiah 30:17
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds declares the Lord.”
In this promise from the book of Jeremiah, God reassures the Israelites of His plan to bring healing and restoration. It provides comfort and hope, reminding us that God’s desire for us is wholeness and healing, even in the context of surgery.
Exodus 15:26
“He said, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.”
In this verse, God reveals Himself as “the Lord, your healer.” It emphasizes the importance of obedience and following God’s commandments in relation to experiencing His healing. It reminds us that healing comes from the Lord, and we can trust in His healing power.
Proverbs 3:7-8
“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
This proverb encourages us to acknowledge our dependence on God and to turn away from evil. It highlights the connection between spiritual well-being and physical health, reminding us that living in alignment with God’s ways can bring healing and refreshment to our bodies.
Psalm 41:3
“The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”
In this psalm, God is portrayed as the sustainer of those who are sick. It reminds us that even in the midst of surgery or illness, God is with us, providing the strength and restoration we need. We can trust in Him to bring us through difficult times.
Psalm 30:2
“O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.”
This psalm of thanksgiving acknowledges God as the one who brings healing. It serves as a reminder that we can cry out to God in our times of need, including before, during, or after surgery, confident that He is able to hear and answer our prayers for healing.
1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed.”
This verse reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, taking upon Himself our sins and bearing the wounds that bring us spiritual healing. It is a powerful reminder that in Christ, we have been given the gift of healing and restoration.
Psalm 6:2
“Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.”
David’s plea for healing in this psalm reflects the cry of our hearts in times of physical or emotional pain. It encourages us to come before God with our vulnerability and to seek His healing presence when facing surgery or any form of illness.
2 Kings 20:5
“Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.”
This verse recounts God’s response to Hezekiah’s prayer for healing. It serves as a reminder that God hears our prayers, sees our tears, and is intimately involved in the healing process. We can trust in His timing and plan for our restoration.
Psalm 30:10-11
“Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.”
This psalm expresses gratitude for God’s transformative power. It reminds us that, through His healing touch, God can turn our sorrow into joy, our mourning into dancing. When facing surgery, it encourages us to trust in God’s ability to bring about positive change in our lives.
Matthew 10:1
“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.”
In this verse, Jesus grants His disciples the authority to heal diseases and afflictions. It serves as a reminder that healing is part of the ministry of Jesus and His followers. It encourages us to seek out prayer and support from fellow believers who are called to intercede on behalf of others.
Psalm 107:20
“He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.”
This verse highlights the power of God’s word to bring healing and deliverance. It reminds us that God’s desire is to rescue us from destruction, both physically and spiritually. We can trust in His word to bring healing and restoration, even in the context of surgery.
Matthew 4:23
“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.”
This verse showcases Jesus’ ministry of healing, which included physical restoration. It serves as a reminder that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and His healing power is available to us even now. We can approach Him with faith and seek His touch in times of surgery.
Psalm 147:1
“Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.”
In this psalm, the writer encourages us to praise the Lord, recognizing the goodness and beauty of doing so. Praise and worship have a way of shifting our focus from our circumstances to the greatness of God. In the midst of surgery or recovery, praising God can bring comfort, peace, and a reminder of His faithfulness.
Mark 16:18
“They will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Jesus’ words in this verse speak of the signs that will follow those who believe in Him. It reminds us of the supernatural power available to us through faith in Christ. While not a prescription for seeking out harm, it testifies to the reality that God’s protection and healing are not limited by human constraints.
Psalm 118:17
“I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.”
In this psalm, the psalmist declares his faith in God’s deliverance and pledges to proclaim God’s mighty works. It serves as a declaration of hope and confidence in God’s ability to bring about life, even in the face of surgery or illness. We can join in this proclamation, trusting in God’s sustaining power.
Matthew 8:17
“This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.'”
This verse in Matthew links Jesus’ healing ministry with the prophecy spoken by Isaiah. It offers a powerful reminder that Jesus carried not only our sins but also our illnesses and diseases on the cross. In the context of surgery, it invites us to bring our physical needs to the One who understands our suffering.
Jeremiah 33:6
“Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.”
In this promise from Jeremiah, God declares His intention to bring healing and prosperity to His people. It offers hope and assurance that God’s desire is for our well-being and security, both physically and spiritually. When facing surgery, this verse encourages us to trust in God’s promises of restoration.
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed.”
This well-known verse from Isaiah prophesies the sacrificial work of Jesus on the cross. It speaks of the healing that comes through His wounds, bringing us peace and reconciliation with God. It reminds us of the depth of Jesus’ love for us, offering us hope and comfort, particularly in times of surgery or illness.
Psalm 139:13-14
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
This psalm of David celebrates the intricate and intentional design of our bodies by God. It serves as a reminder that God is intimately familiar with our physical makeup and cares for every detail. In the context of surgery, it can bring comfort knowing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator Himself.
Acts 3:16
“And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.”
In this verse, Peter attributes the healing of the crippled man to faith in the name of Jesus. It points to the power and authority that come through faith in Christ, and how that faith can lead to physical healing. It reminds us that even in the face of surgery, our faith in Jesus has the potential to bring about miraculous changes in our bodies.