THE ISLAND GROVE
BIBLICAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
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"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2.
The vast majority of health problems are caused by things we have control over.
“...the curse causeless shall not come.” Proverbs 26:2.
"If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart." Malachi 2:2.
"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." Galation 3:10.
Hospitals are full of people with preventable diseases - heart, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, etc. We spend billions of dollars for laxatives, headache pills, sleeping pills to relieve the sicknesses caused by misuse of the body God gave us. 80% of disease is lifestyle related. God has given us minds to reason from cause to effect.
God promised the Israelites protection from disease if they would obey His instructions -
"And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee." Exodus 15:25.
They disobeyed -
"Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him." Daniel 9:11.
God tells us that -
"...the way of transgressors is hard." Proverbs 13:15.
Christ as well as Joseph, Daniel, Moses and Elijah are examples of obedience.
Today, as always, God's people are special to Him, and by obeying Him we can have health.
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" 1 Peter 2:9.
"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." Proverbs 4:20-22.
Changing bad habits (smoking, drinking, drugs, gluttony, etc.) can be like going through the "valley of the shadow of death," but we can say that, "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." Psalm 23:4. If we continue to overcome - "He restoreth my soul." Psalm 23:3.
"'They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.' This world is a vast lazar house, but Christ came to heal the sick, to proclaim deliverance to the captives of Satan. He was in Himself health and strength. He imparted His life to the sick, the afflicted, those possessed of demons. He turned away none who came to receive His healing power. He knew that those who petitioned Him for help had brought disease upon themselves; yet He did not refuse to heal them. And when virtue from Christ entered into these poor souls, they were convicted of sin, and many were healed of their spiritual disease, as well as of their physical maladies. The gospel still possesses the same power, and why should we not today witness the same results? DA 1 page 823.
Anyone truly desiring to overcome bad habits must cling to the promise -
"I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.
We must assist our body by cleansing our system of all these substances -
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1.
"Nature’s Remedial Agencies
"It is important to become familiar with the benefit of dieting in case of sickness. All should understand what to do [for] themselves.
"There are many ways of practicing the healing art; but there is only one way that Heaven approves. God’s remedies are the simple agencies of nature, that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties. Pure air and water, cleanliness, a proper diet, purity of life, and a firm trust in God, are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying; yet these remedies are going out of date because their skilful use requires work that the people do not appreciate. Fresh air, exercise, pure water, and clean, sweet premises, are within the reach of all, with but little expense; but drugs are expensive, both in the outlay of means, and the effect produced upon the system.
"Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power, these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them. It is essential both to understand the principles involved in the treatment of the sick and to have a practical training that will enable one rightly to use this knowledge.
"The use of natural remedies requires an amount of care and effort that many are not willing to give. Nature’s process of healing and upbuilding is gradual, and to the impatient it seems slow. The surrender of hurtful indulgences requires sacrifice. But in the end it will be found that nature, untrammeled, does her work wisely and well. Those who persevere in obedience to her laws will reap the reward in health of body and health of mind.
"Physicians often advise invalids to visit foreign countries, to go to some mineral spring, or to traverse the ocean, in order to regain health; when, in nine cases out of ten, if they would eat temperately, and engage in healthful exercise with a cheerful spirit, they would regain health and save time and money. Exercise, and a free, abundant use of air and sunlight - blessings which heaven has bestowed upon all - would in many cases give life and strength to the emaciated invalid.
"Some Things We Do For Ourselves
"In regard to that which we can do for ourselves, there is a point that requires careful, thoughtful consideration. I must become acquainted with myself, I must be a learner always as to how to take care of this building, the body God has given me, that I may preserve it in the very best condition of health. I must eat those things which will be for my very best good physically, and I must take special care to have my clothing such as will conduce a healthful circulation of the blood. I must not deprive myself of exercise and air. I must get all the sunlight that it is possible for me to obtain. I must have wisdom to be a faithful guardian of my body.
"I should do a very unwise thing to enter a cool room when in perspiration; I should show myself an unwise steward to allow myself to sit in a draft, and thus expose myself so as to take cold. I should be unwise to sit with cold feet and limbs, and thus drive back the blood from the extremities to the brain or internal organs. I should always protect my feet in damp weather. I should eat regularly of the most healthful food which will make the best quality of blood, and I should not work intemperately if it is in my power to avoid doing so. And when I violate the laws God has established in my being, I am to repent and reform, and place myself in the most favourable condition under the doctors God has provided - pure air, pure water, and the healing, precious sunlight."
CDF 2 pages 301-302.
References
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THE ISLAND GROVE
BIBLICAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
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