|
Since man’s health is directly related to his relationship with God, the first step to man’s overall health and well being is having a relationship with God.
“But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith’.…Christ has redeemed us from the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:11,13,14
Man is justified in the sight of God by faith in Jesus Christ. This means man enters into a right relationship with God by receiving Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. Once man has entered into a relationship with God, that relationship must be maintained. Man does this by living according to the written Word of God and being obedient unto the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter or Helper to Christians. Once a man accepts Jesus as Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit comes to teach and guide him. (John 14:15-17,26; 16:13) As the Christian walks obediently to the Lord, he is blessed with health.
“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee….Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:1,2,7,8 KJV2
In the scripture listed above, the word health in verse 8 means medicine. The word marrow means “watering or moistening”.3 The New King James Version of the Bible uses the word “flesh” instead of “navel” and “strength” instead of “marrow”. “Flesh” is translated as “body”. “Strength” is also translated as “drink”.4 Therefore, the last sentence of the Proverbs 3:8 could be restated as follows: “It shall be medicine to thy body and strength to thy bones.” These verses in Proverbs 3 reveal being obedient to God’s commandments produces long life and peace. Fearing (reverencing) God and departing from evil produces better health.
“My son, give attention to my words, incline your ear to my saying. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:20-22
In Proverbs 4:22, the word health comes from the Hebrew word marpe (pronounced mar-peh). It means “restoring health, remedy, cure, medicine; tranquility, deliverance, refreshing”.5 The word flesh comes from the Hebrew word basar. It means “body”.6 Therefore, giving attention to the Word of God (both the written Word of God and the leadership of the Holy Spirit) produces “medicine to all their body” or good health.
|
