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What The Bible Says About Your HealthThe Scriptures reveal that God has made provisions for man to enjoy good health. In Genesis 1:29 God says, "Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed ? and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." Man was designed by his Creator to eat the herbs of the land. An herb is any edible vegetation. Yet it is clear that man does not eat every herb only those that "taste good." Thus, man omits from his prescribed diet foods that may be bitter but which are thought to dissolve tumors, cleanse, and relax the body. Foods which are sour are known to tighten, tone, and constrict loose spongy tissues in the body. Foods which taste hot stimulate the metabolic actions of the body. God has provided for all our needs, but man has pursued those foods which are sweet, aromatic, easy to prepare, and easily preserved. No wonder sickness and lack of energy and vitality abound on much of the earth. In the Book of the Revelation (22:2) there is a tree (not a pharmacy) that has leaves for the healing of the nations. The Scriptures are full of instances where foods (herbs) were used in the divine order for the restoration of health. God's "pharmacy" consists of foods (plant life) not drugs. In fact, drugs are in disrepute throughout the Scriptures. The Greek word "pharmakeia" (from which we get pharmacy) is translated "sorcerers," which means "those who enchant or are enchanted with drugs." Note Revelation 9:21 where the making of drugs (sorceries) is compared to the sins of murder, fornication, and theft. In Revelation 18:23 sorceries deceive all nations. In Revelation 21:8 sorcerers are likened to unbelievers, the abominable, murders, whoremongers, idolaters, and liars. In Revelation 22:15 sorcerers are likened to dogs, whoremongers, murders, and idolaters. Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary contains the following entry on page 633: "pharmacy, from pharmakon, magic, charm, poison, drugs." It is obvious that the mixing of drugs in Biblical times was not the esteemed practice that it is today. This raises the question of whether drugs have a part in God's plan for maintaining the health of His creation. Certainly, natural herbs which have no side effects, bad effects, or after effects are the tools of good health. By design, good sanitary and dietary practices were of the utmost importance in the Scriptures. The Hebrew children escaped many plagues and much havoc due to obedience to sanitary principles alone.
The major advances in health in the United States and in civilized nations are due primarily to good sanitary practices rather than as the result of drugs. Faith is a primary ingredient in good health. "For without faith the people perish." The Apostle Paul admonishes the Philippians to "let this mind be in you ? (2:5)." We are to put healthy thoughts into our mind. "Whatsoever things are true ? honest ? just ? pure ? lovely ? of good report ? think on these things." The wisest man who ever lived said, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Proverbs 13:12). Hering's "Law of Cure" says that man heals from the top down and from the inside out. From the top down certainly means from the head or mind. Right belief brings right living.
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