Medicine
<<drug or remedy to restore health>>
Am I as quick to run to Jesus as I am to the doctor?
requisite knowledge and skills. Our ultimate faith remains in God, but we recognize that He may utilize the medical profession to facilitate healing and recovery through advancements in medications and procedures designed to repair our bodies. Nevertheless, instead of addressing underlying issues directly, there has been an increasing tendency to rely on potent prescription drugs, which can obscure the root cause. This approach has led to society being over-medicated, resulting in adverse emotional and behavioural side effects, in addition to toxic interactions. Long-term dependence on drugs is generally counterproductive to a person's well-being. Some problems may have a spiritual root cause rather than a biological source, with any chemically induced treatment only concealing the real issue hence it warrants examining one’s life for sin and taking necessary corrective steps. If there is a spiritual component this will certainly require repenting of sin and a commitment to living in obedience according to His Word and maybe deliverance. The Lord may allow Christians to experience the consequence of their errors so they will have cause to turn from their ways and seek the Lord.
Prevention is better than cure
A cheerful heart is good medicine – Proverbs 17:22
can lead to various health problems. Due to our lifestyles and diets many people are overloaded with toxins and deficient in essential vitamins and trace elements. The taking of supplements can supply the vitamins and minerals our diet lacks. Addressing these various issues, along with developing a healthy emotional attitude of faith, gratitude, and forgiveness, can significantly alleviate fear, depression, bitterness, and various ailments more effectively than multiple medications. Address resentment and bitterness through forgiveness and reconciliation. A hopeful attitude and a grateful and positive outlook can substantially improve your overall well-being and productivity. Additionally, it is much more cost-efficient. Counseling may be beneficial to stabilize an individual's emotional state. Routine medical checkups can detect diseases early. Monitor your body for any changes indicating health issues. According to the Bible, we have a responsibility to care for our bodies, which are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16,17, 6:19,20; 2 Cor 6:16). God created us as body, soul, and spirit so each area should be addressed. The objective is to maintain optimal physical fitness, mental health, and spiritual vitality to serve and honour the Lord.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) covers many traditional, natural, or holistic practices and remedies that differ from mainstream medicine. When used with conventional treatment it is termed complementary medicine while alternative when used instead of recognized practices. Traditional medicine, also termed folk, or ethnic medicine, comes under this category and continues to play a significant role in many countries today. Over generations, remedies have become embedded in cultural beliefs and practices, often transmitted through oral traditions. Generally, they have a holistic approach that addresses the lifestyle factors impacting mental, physical, emotional, social and spiritual state to improve health, heal disease, and maximize well-being. Each facet of a person must be attended to and treated for true heath to be attained. Rather than relying on using drugs and surgery, holistic treatments that support the body’s natural healing attributes are used. These include nutrition, relaxation, stress management, and spinal manipulation. Its natural remedies are made from readily available resources such as herbs, plants, and animal products, or use acupuncture, massage, and spiritual practices. We should avoid life-energy therapies that are incompatible with Christianity. Do not delve into New Age practices such as transcendental meditation which draw on the wrong spirit realm and bring into bondage to superstitions and counterfeit religions. In contrast, Christian meditation centres on the Word of God, His attributes, and the beauty of Jesus Christ, the Great Physician (Ps 103:3).
Modern Medicine is based on scientific research, testing, and evidence-based practices, focusing on identifying specific diseases yet can be overly focused on symptom management rather than addressing root causes. Targeted treatments employ synthetic drugs, surgery, diagnostic imaging, and advanced remedial interventions. As a result, they can be expensive and less accessible in certain regions, requiring specialized equipment and trained professionals.
Many different forms of medicine are available today – some have their origins in non-Christian religions or anti-Christian philosophies. The belief system of the inventor does not necessarily determine the moral value of the invention as many cures and devices invented by non-Christians are widely utilized. The origin of a particular form of treatment should not be the primary consideration for its acceptance by Christians. The key criterion is whether a remedy can be dissociated from the underlying philosophy associated with the medicine or treatment.
The effectiveness of some approaches is unproven, yet no form of healing has a 100% success rate.
Only God’s medicine can correct our spiritual sickness
our convictions on others (1 Cor 6:12; 2 Cor 3:17; Gal 5:1).
See also: counselling, diet, forgiveness, healing, health, holistic, meditation, mental health, wholeness.