Throughout the Bible, God shows compassion for those who are sick and encourages care and healing. Taking medicine is a common part of seeking health today, and Scripture can offer peace and guidance in this area. Today, we’ll look at how the Bible supports the pursuit of health and well-being.
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What Does The Bible Say About Taking Medication
Proverbs 17:22
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of having a positive attitude and a joyful heart, as it brings healing and wellness to the body. It reminds us that a healthy spirit can have a positive impact on our physical well-being.
It is important to note that while this verse highlights the significance of a cheerful heart, it does not discount the necessity of seeking medical treatment when it is needed. This verse can serve as a reminder to complement medical treatment with a positive attitude to promote overall health and well-being.
Isaiah 38:21
“Isaiah had said, ‘Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover.'”
This verse depicts a specific instance where Isaiah prescribed a natural remedy, a poultice of figs, for healing. It highlights the idea that God can work through various means to bring about healing and restoration.
While this verse specifically mentions a natural remedy, it does not imply that medicinal treatments are inherently inferior. Instead, it demonstrates that God can use different methods, including medication, to bring about healing in our lives.
Luke 10:34
“He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”
This verse describes the compassionate actions of the Good Samaritan towards the injured man. It illustrates the importance of caring for and tending to physical wounds and injuries.
While this verse does not explicitly mention medication, it underscores the significance of providing necessary medical care and treatment to promote healing and restoring health.
Matthew 9:12
“On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.’
In this verse, Jesus acknowledges the importance of medical professionals and the need for medical treatment, particularly for those who are unwell.
This verse emphasizes that seeking medical care is not a sign of weakness or lack of faith, but rather a wise decision to address physical ailments and to pursue healing.
1 Timothy 5:23
“Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”
In this verse, the apostle Paul advises Timothy to use a small amount of wine for medicinal purposes to alleviate his stomach issues and frequent illnesses.
While this verse specifically mentions the use of wine as a remedy, it does not promote excessive or irresponsible alcohol consumption. Instead, it serves as an illustration of using appropriate measures to seek relief from physical ailments.
Proverbs 3:7-8
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of humility, wisdom, and righteous living as key elements in maintaining physical health.
While this verse doesn’t directly mention medication, it highlights the correlation between living in alignment with God’s principles and experiencing overall health and well-being.
Exodus 15:26
“He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.'”
In this verse, God promises to protect the Israelites from the diseases that afflicted the Egyptians if they faithfully follow His commands and decrees.
While this verse speaks to God’s role as a healer, it also implies that the Israelites, in their obedience, would take appropriate measures to prevent and combat diseases.
Mark 6:13
“They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.”
In this verse, the disciples of Jesus used oil to anoint and heal many sick individuals.
While this verse specifically references the use of oil as a healing tool, it does not negate the potential benefits of medicinal treatments when seeking physical restoration.
Psalm 41:3
“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”
This verse acknowledges God’s power and ability to sustain and restore those who are ill and confined to their sickbed.
While this verse speaks to God’s divine intervention in healing, it does not discourage seeking medical help when needed.
2 Kings 20:7
“Then Isaiah said, ‘Prepare a poultice of figs.’ They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered.”
In this verse, Isaiah instructs the people to use a poultice of figs for the healing of a boil.
This verse demonstrates that God can work through natural remedies and medicinal treatments to bring about physical healing.
Proverbs 4:20-22
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.”
This verse highlights the importance of heeding God’s wisdom and allowing His words to guide and influence our lives.
While this verse emphasizes the spiritual aspect of finding life and health through God’s words, it can also be applicable to seeking physical well-being through following His principles, which can include medical treatments.
Jeremiah 30:13
“There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sore, no healing for you.”
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah emphasizes the lack of cure or healing for a sore or wound.
While this verse depicts a situation without a remedy, it does not discount the existence and importance of seeking medical aid for other ailments and conditions.
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
This verse highlights the sufficiency of God’s grace and the strength found in recognizing and embracing one’s weaknesses.
While this verse focuses on spiritual strength, it can also be a reminder that seeking medical help is not a sign of weakness but an acknowledgment of our limitations and a reliance on God’s grace through various means, including medication.
Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
This verse emphasizes the power of wise and uplifting words in bringing healing and restoration.
While this verse focuses on emotional and relational healing, it underscores the significance of promoting overall well-being, which includes physical health, through words of encouragement and support.
James 5:14
“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.”
In this verse, James encourages believers who are sick to seek the support and intercession of the church elders through prayer and anointing with oil.
This verse demonstrates the value of seeking both spiritual and communal support in times of illness, which can include medical treatment alongside prayer.
Deuteronomy 32:39
“See now that I myself am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.”
In this verse, God declares His authority over life and death, and affirms His ability to bring healing.
While this verse emphasizes God’s healing power, it does not negate the importance of seeking medical treatment as part of His provision for physical well-being.
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 verse calls for a soul to praise and honor God for the benefits He provides, including forgiveness of sins and healing of diseases.
While this verse recognizes God’s ability to heal, it does not exclude the necessity of utilizing medical treatment as a means of seeking physical restoration.
Proverbs 17:22
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
This verse emphasizes the positive impact of a joyful heart on one’s overall well-being, highlighting the role of a positive attitude in promoting health.
While this verse communicates the value of a cheerful heart, it does not undermine the importance of seeking medical interventions and treatments when necessary.
Matthew 10:1
“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”
In this verse, Jesus empowers His disciples to heal diseases and sicknesses, highlighting supernatural healing as part of their ministry.
While this verse demonstrates Jesus’ ability to heal miraculously, it should not discourage seeking medical intervention as means of receiving God’s provision for healing.
Proverbs 14:30
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
This verse signifies the connection between inner peace and physical vitality, highlighting the importance of maintaining a peaceful heart.
While this verse emphasizes the significance of inner peace, it does not discount the role of medical treatments in addressing physical ailments.
James 5:15
“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 verse, James speaks about the power of prayer offered in faith to bring healing to the sick.
This verse acknowledges the healing potential of prayer, while also recognizing the need for forgiveness and the potential benefit of seeking medical treatment, especially in correlation with sin-related illnesses.
2 Chronicles 16:12
“In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord but only from the physicians.”
This verse recounts the story of King Asa who, despite his illness, sought help solely from physicians and did not seek God’s intervention.
This verse serves as a reminder to seek both medical assistance and divine intervention in times of illness and not to rely solely on one or the other.
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
This verse highlights the power of kind and gracious words, which have the ability to bring healing and refreshment to one’s soul and bones.
While this verse focuses on emotional and spiritual healing, it also signifies the importance of promoting overall well-being through positive interactions and expressions.
Matthew 8:8
“The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.'”
In this verse, the centurion expresses unworthiness in requesting Jesus’ physical presence for the healing of his servant, believing that Jesus’ spoken word alone would be sufficient for healing.
This verse demonstrates faith in the power of Jesus’ words and His ability to heal, while also acknowledging the need to seek divine intervention.
James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
In this verse, James reminds believers that every good and perfect gift, including the gift of healing, comes from God.
While this verse emphasizes God’s role as the giver of good gifts, it does not dismiss the importance of seeking appropriate medical treatment when needed.