HEALTH TIPS FROM THE BIBLE

WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL

APRIL 24, 2023

TOPIC: HEALTH TIPS FROM THE BIBLE

BY T. O. BANSO

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2 New King James Version).

The Bible is a complete book. Through the Bible, God talks to us about every aspect of our lives, including salvation, family, finances, and health. Unarguably, after salvation, your health is the most important aspect of your life. Without sound health, nobody can fulfil God’s purpose for his life. Therefore, it is necessary to know what the Bible teaches about your health. Here are seven health tips from the Bible.

1. Cultivate a living relationship with God and maintain unbroken fellowship with Him. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (New King James Version). There is a positive relationship between spirituality and better health conditions. Even science has established this.

When you put God first, other things will take their rightful positions. Proverbs 3:1-2 says, “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you” (New King James Version). The chapter adds in verses 7-8: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones” (New King James Version). 

Your relationship and fellowship with God affect your health. Exodus 15:26 says, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you” (New King James Version).

2. Be careful what you consume. Many sicknesses are associated with what we eat and drink. 1 Timothy 4:6 warns against false teachers commanding believers to abstain from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. I am not trying to prohibit eating some kinds of food but to guide you to eat what is healthy. Why must you use your money to buy and consume what will affect your health negatively?

Be careful what you eat. Processed food is not good for your health. Avoid it as much as possible. Let your food intake be more vegetables and natural food. Psalm 104:14 says about God, “You make the grass for cattle and vegetables for the people. You make food grow from the earth” (New Century Version).

In Daniel 1, the Bible tells us how Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who chose to eat vegetables and drank water, not the king’s delicacies, appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. They were also found to be ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in the king’s realm (verses 8-20). Science has proved that eating vegetables is good for your health.

It has also been proved that too much sugar is not good for your health. The Bible says in Proverbs 25:27a that it is not good to eat much honey. Sweet kills! Too much sugar in a diet can cause weight gain, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, fatty liver disease, and depression.

Gluttony is another habit you must shun to stay healthy. Eat moderately; avoid excess in eating. Overeating causes tiredness, sleepiness, stomach upset, obesity, heartburn, and digestive problems. Proverbs 23:20 warns, “Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of meat” (New King James Version). Verse 21a says the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty.

Furthermore, avoid eating too much fatty food so that you don’t have high cholesterol, which can cause heart disease. Also, shun drunkenness. It’s not good for your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Ephesians 5:18 says, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit” (New Living Translation).

Some people are suffering from liver inflammation and diseases because of too much intake of alcohol. If only they had obeyed the Word of God, their condition would have been different. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1 New King James Version). Be careful. Isaiah 5:22 says, “Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink” (New King James Version).

3. Manage your stress. Stress not well managed can cause all kinds of sicknesses, including headaches, high blood pressure, heart disease, chest pain, and digestive problems, which can cut short your life. One of the ways to manage stress is to refuse to be worried about anything but put your trust in God.

Luke 12:22-26 says, “Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (New International Version).

Worry changes nothing; it would only wear you out. Trust in God. Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Similarly, Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers” (The Living Bible). Also, feed on the Word of God. It helps to build up your faith in God (Romans 10:17). In addition, don’t overcommit yourself or get involved in too many things. Know when to say “no. Decongest your life.

4. Engage in regular exercises. 1 Timothy 4:8a says bodily exercise profits a little. In other words, it has some value; it is good for your body. Lack of exercise will affect your health negatively. Just as you engage in spiritual exercises like prayer, Bible reading, and so on, do not neglect physical exercises. One does not cancel the other. Regular exercises boost your immune system and improve your mental and heart health. But you should seek professional advice on the exercises appropriate for you if have an existing health challenge.

5. Get enough sleep and rest. Overwork is not good for your health just as overeating is not. You need enough sleep and rest to be healthy. Adequate sleep and rest improve your health and productivity. Sleep and rest deficits will affect your health negatively, including putting you at risk of heart disease.

Proverbs 23:4 says, “Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!” (New King James Version). Also, Ecclesiastes 4:6 says, “Yet a very little food eaten in peace is better than twice as much earned from overwork and chasing the wind” (Contemporary English Version). Avoid insufficient sleep but also avoid oversleeping, which also has health consequences.

Sleep is a form of rest but sleep is not always the same as rest. You may sleep and yet not rest. Rest could just be lying down, taking a break from your work, or going for a walk. God wants you to work but also wants you to rest. God showed us an example when He rested on the seventh day after the work of creation (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 31:13-17).

Observe the Sabbath rest. Seven days without rest makes one weak! “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates” (Exodus 20:9-10 New King James Version).

Work hard but also sleep and rest. Psalm 127:2 says, “It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep” (New King James Version). Sleep and rest are gifts from God. But too much sleep is not healthy for you. It clothes a man with rags (Proverbs 23:21b).

6. Believe in God for divine health but don’t ignore medical care. The Apostle John prayed for Gaius, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2 New King James Version). Believe and confess the Word of God for your health and healing.

Nevertheless, visit a physician for a medical check-up and consultation when you’re sick. Avoid self-medication and drug abuse. These have killed some people or worsened their health conditions. Self-medication could cost you more money than seeing a healthcare provider.

While pointing out that He had come to call sinners to repentance and not the righteous, Jesus said those who were well, did not need a physician, but those who were sick (Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17). However, don’t promote human help above God’s help. Let your faith be in God even as you seek medical care.

7. Observe personal hygiene, including hand washing. A lack of personal hygiene causes many of the sicknesses that afflict people. Don’t be an unhygienic Christian. Fasting and praying or confessing the Word of God will not prevent you from contracting diseases that are hygiene-related. Keep the basic rules of hygiene. In the Old Testament, God gave the Israelites instructions on disease control and hygiene, including bathing, washing hands and clothes, and isolation (quarantine).

God also told the Israelites: “Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself. As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement” (Deuteronomy 23:12-13 New International Version). This was to keep the Israelite army from being defiled and for hygiene. Observe the basic rules of hygiene, which prevent many diseases.

Conclusion: Act upon these tips to enjoy sound health. I pray that you will prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. The Lord will keep you free from every disease in Jesus’ name.

TAKE ACTION!  

If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.

Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself.  I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.

I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.

PRAYER POINTS: Father, help me to fulfil my responsibility in enjoying good health, including cultivating a living relationship with you and maintaining unbroken fellowship. Holy Spirit, help me to confess and obey the Word of God and discipline myself to observe the basic rules of hygiene, engage in regular exercises, and act on other health tips in the Bible. I shall prosper in all things and be in health, just as my soul prospers. The Lord shall keep me free from every disease.

(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).

T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org