For those who need the quick lowdown: the Bible doesn’t directly address modern medication, but it does provide guidance on healing and caring for our bodies. The overarching theme is one of balance and wisdom—using the resources God has given us, including medicine, to maintain or restore health, while also placing our ultimate trust in God’s sovereignty and power to heal. The use of medicinal substances is mentioned in a positive light in several passages, suggesting that seeking healing through medicine is allowed and can be an act of faith in God’s provision.
Wondering how ancient wisdom applies to modern medicine? Let’s unpack what the Bible says about using medication and how it fits into God’s plan for our health and well-being.
What Does the Bible Say About Taking Medication?
When it comes to the topic of medication, the Bible might not have a verse that says, “Thou shalt take thy antibiotics,” but it offers principles that guide how we think about and use medicine today. From the healing balms mentioned in the Old Testament to the New Testament’s accounts of Jesus’ healing miracles, the Scriptures acknowledge the role of physical remedies and divine intervention in the process of healing.
In biblical times, medicinal substances and methods were part of the culture, and the Bible references the use of various natural remedies. These references, coupled with accounts of miraculous healings, suggest a comprehensive view of health care that embraces both natural and supernatural means. This perspective encourages us to see medicine as one of many tools God provides for our well-being.
The wisdom literature in the Bible, especially, emphasizes the importance of discernment and knowledge, which can be applied to our approach to medication. It’s about making informed choices, seeking reputable medical advice, and using medication responsibly, all while praying for God’s guidance and healing.
God’s view on health and healing is multifaceted. He cares about our whole being—body, mind, and spirit. While miraculous healings demonstrate His power and mercy, the provision of medicinal substances and the wisdom to use them effectively reflect His ongoing care for us in the everyday. Taking medication, when done wisely and ethically, can be seen as an extension of stewardship over our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit.
This stewardship involves a balanced approach. It’s not about choosing medicine over faith or vice versa; it’s about integrating our faith with wise health practices. The Bible encourages us to care for our bodies and to seek healing, but it also calls us to trust in God above all. This trust doesn’t negate the use of medicine; rather, it places our health decisions within the larger context of our relationship with God and His sovereign will for our lives.
In the New Testament, Jesus’ ministry of healing underscores the importance of compassion and care for the suffering. While Jesus often healed through miraculous means, His actions reveal God’s heart for the sick and suffering. This compassion extends to how we treat our own bodies and health issues today, including the use of medication.
Bible Verses About Taking Medication
- Jeremiah 8:22 – “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?” This verse acknowledges the use of balm, a medicinal substance, pointing to the practice of seeking physical remedies for ailments.
- Proverbs 17:22 – “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” While not about medication per se, this proverb recognizes the healing effects of joy and a positive spirit, suggesting that health encompasses more than just the physical.
- Ezekiel 47:12 – “Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” This vision of healing leaves symbolizes the restorative power of God’s creation, indicating that natural remedies have a place in God’s plan for healing and health.
- 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.” The Good Samaritan’s use of oil and wine as first aid for wounds illustrates the practical application of care and the use of available resources to promote healing.
- 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.” This verse combines the spiritual act of prayer with the physical act of anointing with oil, reflecting a holistic approach to seeking healing.
- Revelation 22:2 – “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” This imagery from Revelation speaks to the ultimate restoration and healing that God promises. It signifies that healing, whether through natural means like the leaves of the tree or through divine intervention, is part of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
- 1 Timothy 5:23 – “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” Paul’s advice to Timothy acknowledges the medicinal use of wine for stomach ailments. It’s an example of the Bible’s pragmatic approach to health issues, recognizing the role of natural remedies in promoting health.
- Proverbs 31:6-7 – “Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.” Although this advice might seem unusual, it reflects an understanding of the temporary relief that medicinal substances can provide, emphasizing compassion and empathy for those suffering.
- Mark 5:25-34 – The story of the woman with the issue of blood, who had spent all she had on doctors yet was healed by touching Jesus’ garment, illustrates the limitations of human medicine and the power of faith. While the Bible recognizes the role of physicians and remedies, it also points to the supremacy of faith and divine healing.
- 2 Kings 20:7 – “Then Isaiah said, ‘Prepare a poultice of figs.’ They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered.” This account of King Hezekiah’s healing through a fig poultice demonstrates the use of natural remedies under divine direction, showcasing the integration of faith and medicinal practices.
These verses collectively reveal a biblical perspective that values both faith and the wise use of medicinal substances. The Bible does not present an either/or scenario between faith and medicine but rather encourages a holistic approach to health and healing. It recognizes the role of natural remedies, the importance of compassionate care, and the ultimate power of God to heal and restore.