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What Does the Bible Say About...Health and Disease?

What does the Bible say about health, being healthy and living a healthy life?

What does the bible say about cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes?

Answer

The Bible doesn’t say anything about those medical problems by name, although some of the diseases mentioned in the Bible may exhibit some of their symptoms. It is possible that the “consumption” mentioned in Deuteronomy 28:22 may be what we call cancer or tuberculosis.

Some, although very few rabbis, say that the dietary restrictions of the Law of Moses were for health reasons. That is not likely true, although some of those restrictions certainly would have been healthier in a time when there was less emphasis on proper preparation of food.

Most of what the Bible says about health is that one who follows God will generally be healthy. (That does not necessarily mean that one who does not follow God will always be sick. Nor does it mean that God’s people will be absolutely free of disease.) “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 3:6-7) “For they [Solomon’s words] are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” (Proverbs 4:22) “Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24) “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)

Obviously, God is more interested in our spiritual health than our physical. However, he does want us to be physically healthy as well. On the other hand, disease is a result of Adam’s sin, and so we can expect that even the most righteous may suffer. After all, Job was righteous but God allowed him to suffer disease and hardship.

So I close with this blessing from 3 John 1:2. “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”